Anticipated High School Counselor

 POSITION TITLE:    High School Counselor 

TERM: 12 Months 

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Building Administrator, the High School counselor assists students in understanding their personal, emotional, and academic/vocational development in light of the opportunities and demands they experience presently or may experience in the future.

Northumberland County Public Schools is a qualifying employer in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Qualifications

1. A master's degree from an approved program in school counseling or a master's degree from an accredited college or university, and completed an approved school guidance and counseling program.
2. Two years of successful full-time teaching experience, two years of successful experience in guidance and counseling, or eligibility for a provisional license.
3. Complete specialized studies in school counseling elementary, middle or secondary counseling.
4. Ongoing evidence of mental and physical competence to perform assigned responsibilities may be required from a qualified physician.
5. An applicant who has had prior experience in a related position must have a performance rating which is acceptable to Northumberland County Public Schools for such experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrate effective time management and organizational skills.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of and adherence to American Counseling Association ethical standards and guidelines.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of child development and growth stages.
4. Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication and human relations skills with students, staff members, parents and administrators.
5. Demonstrate effective knowledge and use of educational/counseling resources and technology.
6.   Demonstrate knowledge and appropriate utilization of assessment techniques.
7. Demonstrate effective knowledge and use of appropriate counseling theories and techniques.
8. Demonstrate the professional and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, parents, school personnel and members of the community.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  (Specific duties may vary)

Develop and implement a yearly counseling plan based on specific school needs.

1. Provide services for students to include: Individual Counseling; Group Counseling; Classroom Guidance; Appropriate use of social, occupational and educational assessment, planning, placement, and follow-up.
2. Counsel students with learning, physical, social, and emotional problems, through conferences held with students on the basis of teacher, parent, principal or self-referral.
3. Consult with other school counselors and counseling professionals to assist students where needed.
4. Assist parents in gaining a better understanding of the age appropriate behaviors and characteristics of their children.
5. Refer students and their parents to appropriate helping agencies or persons within and outside the school.
6. Stay informed and connected to the life of the school.
7. Model both the school and the counselor's philosophy accurately, positively and actively in the community.
8. Assume responsibility for continued personal and professional growth in counseling, as well as the improvement of the profession.
9. Assist all students in selecting an appropriate course of study in order to acquire decision-making knowledge, attitudes and skills.
10. Serve as a participant on the school's Child Study Committee, Focus Identification/Placement Committee, and Crisis Intervention Team, as needed.
11. Work closely with school faculty in planning and implementing student and parent awareness programs or other programs deemed appropriate by the individual school setting.
12. Consult and arrange conferences with appropriate school personnel, community agencies, and parents relative to students and their concerns.
13. Collect and interpret data about students in order to assist in program planning, occupational, and/or educational placement and student adjustment.
14. Assist with the collection, organization and maintenance of pertinent data relative to the educational records of each student.
15. Undertake, in a cooperative endeavor, the continuous evaluation of the ongoing effectiveness of the guidance and counseling program.
16. Assist in the administration of mandated testing, as needed.
17. Maintain current information regarding community agencies for information and referral.
18. Maintain a clean, neat appearance, appropriate to position.
19. Adhere to the guidelines of confidentiality as outlined in federal and state laws and School Board Policies and Procedures.
20. Maintain a record of appropriate attendance and punctuality.
21. Serve as an optimal role model for students, colleagues, and the general public.
22. Must work in close harmony with colleagues, supervisors, and co-workers.
23. Comply with all district and school policies and regulations.
24. Perform other duties as assigned.

* Note: Counseling shall be provided as needed to ensure that at least 80% of the time of each member of the counseling staff shall be devoted to counseling students.

** This position will remain open until filled.

Salary : $62,374 - $113,818