Job Title: Counselor

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

The counselor is directly responsible to the Principal.

General Duties:

Under general supervision of the school Principal, to perform comprehensive counseling and academic guidance with students, provide consultation with staff and parents, conduct staff development and parent education; and make effective use of community resources; and to perform other duties as required.

Qualifications / Certification Requirements:

An applicant must be eligible for a Clear Renewable certificate in the field of School Counseling based on completion of one of the following options:

• Completion of a state-approved certification preparation program in School Counseling at the master's degree level (level 5) or higher;
• Completion of a master's degree or higher in a counseling area and submission of a valid National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors; or
• Completion of a master's degree or higher in a counseling area and submission of a valid State of Georgia Professional Counselor's license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Office of the Secretary State, O.C.G.A. Title

1. Guidance

1. Develop and adjust individual student schedules as needed to provide for an optimum learning environment.
2. Assist new students with enrollment procedures and familiarize with school policies.

1. Assist the Principal in maintaining class balances.
2. Provide articulation services between the middle school and elementary/high school programs to assist students in making the transition.
3. Insure that all 6th and 7th graders complete at least one (1) career-related assessment and include it in their electronic portfolio.
4. Assist in developing an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) for all students by the end of 8th Grade.

2. Individual and Small-Group Counseling

1. Conduct structured, goal-oriented counseling sessions in systematic response to the identi fied needs of individual students or groups of students.
2. Assists students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities and setting goals through the interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other data .
3. Works with students on an individual basis in the solution of personal problems and issues related to home, family life, emotional, social, and physical health.

3. Consultation

1. Provide consultation to all personnel regarding specific students and general school issues.
2. Participate in conference with parents, staff and social agencies regarding students.

1. Provide consultation to parents regarding specific issues that interfere with school success

4. In-Service Training

1. Provide opportunities for discussion groups and professional development workshops designed to facilitate the acquisition of identified skills.

5. Parent Education

1. Offer workshops, seminars and information sessions to assist parents to better communicate with their children, to develop positive parent/ child/family relationships and to apply strategies to help their children be successful in school.
2. Prepare documents, forms, and newsletters, make phone calls, and use e-mail to communicate with and inform parents and to collect and update necessary information.

6. Prevention/Intervention

1. Assist in developing and implementing prevention and early intervention curricula and programs.
2. Develop and implement a plan for students to transition to middle school successfully through the areas of social/emotional, organizational/environmental, academic, developmental, as well as college and career awareness.

7. Student and Family Referrals

1. Consult and coordinate with in-district and community based specialists and programs.
2. Assist students and their parents in locating support services to meet their needs.

8. General School Operation

1. Attend staff meetings.
2. Serve on school and district level commitites.
3. Participate in activities that promote a positive school climate.
4. Act as an advocate for groups or individual students.
5. Contribute articles to newletters.

9. Program Coordination

1. Coordinate, plan, and schedule activities, as well as prepare all necessary certificates and materials, in conjunction with other assigned personnel, for all Student Recognition and Awards Programs.
2. Assist the School Nurse with the coordination of health screening services.
3. Assist staff with the implementation of the RTI program.
4. Serve as school liaison to the Department of Family and Children's Services (DFACS) and other outside agencies that provide services to students and families.

10. Planning and Evaluation

1. Involve staff, and administration in establishing program goals and planning school functions.
2. Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the counseling and guidance services.

11. Pursue professional growth through joining associations, reading professional journals, and attending relevant workshops and conferences.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.