Counselor

Overview:
Under the general supervision of the Building Principal, to provide academic, social-emotional, and career advising to students; assist students and parents in the development of educational and occupational goals and plans; administer and interpret academic and career assessment tools and interpret the results with students, parents, administrators, and other teaching staff; provide academic advising including scheduling support; and provide classroom, small group, and individual counselling activities to support the implementation of building goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assists in evaluating students' aptitudes and abilities through the interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data and works with students in developing education and occupation plans consistent with such evaluation.
• Assists students in making course and subject selections, as well as with evaluating career interests and college choices.
• Assists in student registration and scheduling of classes.
• Obtains and disseminates information regarding occupational opportunities to students and to classes studying occupations.
• Coordinates with administrators and teachers to ascertain individual student's abilities and needs, including students with special needs, and to familiarize stakeholders with guidance services.
• Researches educational and career opportunities and coordinates with school and community stakeholders to deliver developmentally-appropriate lessons to students.
• Assists with the registration and orientation of students who are new to the school regarding procedures and educational opportunities.
• Serves as a ready resource to students to provide counseling that will lead each student to increased personal growth, self-understanding and maturity.
• Works with individual and small groups of students to support social-emotional growth, development, and learning.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research, and by maintaining professional relationships with members of institutions of higher education and the business community.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement and attendance as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
• Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.
• Coordinates with other professional staff members, especially within the department, and participates in staff meetings and committees and the development and implementation of the building's comprehensive school counseling program.
• Adheres to FERPA and other laws relating to confidentiality of information
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Key Qualifications:

• Must hold valid Ohio school counselor license or certificate
• Must have demonstrated skill in school counseling
• Must be open to actively participating in staff development opportunities to promote professional growth
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with students, staff and parents
• Must have the full support of the Building Principal and Assistant Superintendent

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA):

• Capable of relating to groups of students in large group assemblies, as well as in small groups or in individual sessions with students.
• Know and appreciate various cultures and the larger global society and how to establish rapport with a diverse population of students and parents.
• Knowledge of the secondary school program eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of current developments in business and industry regarding career exploration.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

The Successful Candidate Will:
Provide effective guidance and counseling programs and services for the middle school; help students identify goals and make appropriate choices; counsel students to acknowledge and manage responsible personal conduct; help students resolve problems that impede learning; assist in exploration of college and career pathways. The successful candidate will put students first to achieve the best academic and developmental outcomes for each student.  

Physical Demands & Work Environment:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described herein 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.
 

• Position is mostly indoors.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and stand. Occasionally the employee will sit and/or run.
• The employee will frequently bend or twist at the trunk while performing the duties of this job.
• The employee will frequently squat, stoop, kneel, reach above the head, reach forward and repeat the same hand motion many times while performing the duties of the job.
• The employee may routinely lift and move objects 50 pounds.
• The specific vision requirements of the job include good depth perception and occasionally being able to see objects/persons at a distance.
• While performing the duties of the job the employee frequently is required to hear conversation in quiet, as well as, a noisy environment and be able to tell where a sound is coming from.
• The employee must be able to communicate to the team in order to give directions.

 
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.
Occasionally the employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints and interact with public and other workers. The noise level in the environment is usually low/moderate.
 

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, military status ancestry, genetic information (collectively, "Protected Classes"), or any other legally protected category, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.