TITLE:  High School Counselor

LOCATION:  Wyandotte High School

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students. With a Head Start program, three preschools, 29 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, the district serves a wonderfully diverse mixture of students. A remarkable 70 plus different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. To serve those students, the district employs approximately 4,000 staff, including more than 1,600 teachers.

The vision of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is to be one of the Top 10 School Districts in the Nation. Our goal is that "Each student will exit high school prepared for college and careers in a global society, and at every level, performance is on track and on time for success." Fairfax Learning Center is an "Alternative Education Pathway" that provides high school students with the opportunity to learn by using different teaching methods and learning materials.

JOB GOAL: To intervene in student crises and assist students in learning communication skills and problem solving techniques necessary to avoid future crises; to serve as liaison between student, teacher, parent, administrator;  to organize and arrange special programs for student growth and enrichment; and to assist students with future educational and vocational plans.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Counsel students with interpersonal social adjustment problems.
• Counsel students with academic or attendance problems.
• Conduct group counseling and classroom guidance.
• Serve as liaison: student, teacher, parent administrator, and community.
• Identify students with special needs and suggest alternatives to meet those needs.
• Assist students in orientation, course selection, and setting up programs of study.
• Conduct testing and interpret results to help students understand their aptitudes, abilities, and achievement.
• Assist students with their plans for post high school education or vocational choices.
• Maintain student record files.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the principal.
• Ability to work an 9 hour duty day in the location or locations assigned by the supervisor.
• Physical and emotional ability to perform required work and move about as needed in the fast-paced, highly intensive school environment.
• Maintain a neat and appropriate appearance.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently must hold or be eligible for Kansas certification as school counselor. 
• A strong personal commitment to promote the effective schools program.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, administration, and parents.
• A demonstrated knowledge of effective guidance techniques.
• Meets the employment qualifications set forth by the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education

COMMUNICATION

Maintains communication with teachers, other school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students.

Provides health services, information, and counseling in an effective and positive manner to enhance the health and wellness of the school community.

Completes accident/incident reports for students/staff.

Compiles data for statistical purposes.

Maintains confidentiality regarding educational records.

ORGANIZATION

Maintains a daily log of school/staff visits and documentation.

Maintains the daily environment of the health office facility and supplies.

Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.

Performs other related work as required.

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, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

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 regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds such as pushing on a bike ore wheelchair, or moving/rearranging furniture.  While performing the duties of the job the employee occasionally may visit a child’s home.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

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 loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students’ safety, work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:        186 days - Counselors work an additonal 10 days and 9 hours per day

SALARY:         Based on KCKPS Salary Schedule   

FSLA:             Exempt

REPORT TO: Principal

EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy

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

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  KCKPS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or any other factors that cannot be lawfully considered in its programs and activities as required by all applicable laws and regulations.