High School Counselor

Pea Ridge Public Schools

Position Description

Position Title: Secondary Guidance Counselor

Department: Building and Counseling

Reports To: Principal

Evaluated By: Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

Contract Length:  205 days

JOB SUMMARY: To provide, as a member of the Counseling Department, a comprehensive guidance program for students in grades 6-12 and specifically provide activities to meet the needs of the assigned caseload; consult with teachers, staff, and parents to enhance their effectiveness in helping students; and provide support to other educational programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned; duties may vary according to grade level. 

• Counsels groups or individual students through the development of educational and career plans. 
• Counsels small groups and individual students; refers severe concerns to appropriate community resources.
• Consults with teachers, staff, and parents regarding meeting the developmental needs of students.
• Evaluates and revises the building counseling program.
• Conducts counseling activities in the classroom in conjunction with administration and teachers.
• Consults with teachers to facilitate the infusion of counseling activities into the regular education curriculum.
• Counsels/guides students and parents in use of test results for education/career planning.
• Responds to crisis situations when appropriate.
• Assists with student testing, as needed.
• Attends and/or facilitates informational meetings, pre-registration meetings, and other programs and evening parent meetings, as necessary.
• Assists in student assessments and evaluations.
• Is responsible for computerized management of student data: achievement tests, interest inventories, learning styles inventories, etc
• Assists with registration and scheduling of new students and conducts orientation to school procedures and the schools’ various opportunities for learning.
• Meets with each student in the assigned caseload at least one time annually.
• Aids students in course and subject selections.
• Maintains students records, as applicable, and protects their confidentiality.
• Works to discover and develop special abilities of students.
• Works to prevent students from dropping out of school.
• Provides student information to colleges and potential employers, according to provisions of the Board’s policy on student records and federal guidelines.
• Makes recommendations to colleges for admissions and scholarships.

• Makes recommendations for alternative learning environment
• Helps students evaluate career interest and choices; disseminates occupational information to students through classroom guidance, career education activities, and other means.
• Works with students on an individual basis in the solution of personal problems related to academics, home and family, health, and emotional issues.
• Confers with parents whenever necessary and appropriate.
• Provides training on guidance topics for teachers and parents.
• Communicates regularly with various internal and external publics to develop and maintain a positive school/community relationship.
• Serves on various building and district committees, as needed.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  

Masters degree in counseling.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: 

Valid Teaching license and counseling endorsement (Guidance Secondary).

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

 Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general counseling periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: 

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY: 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, table, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to counseling program; ability to plan and implement individual and group lessons based on district and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Ability to use appropriate language and accompanying techniques with adolescents on one to one basis as well as in groups. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents; skill in oral and written communication.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by

an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee must be able to attend meetings in the evening and at other locations. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as ability to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans for Disabilities (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Pea Ridge Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.