Department Overview

The Department of Student Services focuses on prevention and intervention approaches in the schools and is committed to the "Education of the Whole Child" to ensure safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students. The department supports student performance through special education, school counseling, student registration, health, social work, student assistance, attendance, homebound, assessment, diagnostic, psychological and parent resource services. The department includes the following teams: Student Services, Student Mental Health Services, Diagnostic and Prevention Services, Special Education, and Procedural Support.

Job Overview

The School Counselor helps students overcome problems that impede learning; and assists them in making educational, occupational, and life plans appropriate to their age/maturity level, leading to their development as productive citizens and helping them develop their potential to live full, useful lives.

Roles and Responsibilities

The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; work may differ and other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate.

• Works to support the personal-social, mental health, academic needs, and college and career readiness of each and every student in the building.
• Works with students on an individual basis in the solution of personal problems related to such situations as home and family relations, peer relations, health, and emotional adjustment; is available to students to provide counseling in such areas as personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity.
• Conducts small group counseling on student-selected and data-driven topics such as study skills, social skills, anger management, self-esteem, changing families, and grief.
• Creates and provides classroom instruction every two to three weeks through lessons promoting personal-social, career and college readiness and bullying prevention based on Virginia Department of Education and American School Counselor Association standards for school counseling programs.
• Develops a Comprehensive School Counseling Program which supports the American School Counseling Association Recognized ASCA Model Program.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports complex outcome-oriented data related to the effectiveness of their school counseling program with emphasis on equity and student-centered approach; uses data to determine trends and concerns and communicated data results and implications to stakeholders while also assisting counselors in measuring and reporting the effectiveness of their work.
• Demonstrate fidelity in best practices for a school counseling program through consistent use of technology and monitoring of student outcomes.
• Provides in-service training in school counseling for staff; collaborates with administrators and faculty on the matters of student discipline, developmental issues, and identifying significant behaviors such as suicide, self-harm, and depression.
• Fosters professional growth and building a positive climate of support, keeps abreast of current research, participates in professional organizations, and keeps staff informed of state and national issues and trends related to school counseling.
• Collaborates with families, school staff, administrators, and other educational stakeholders to support student achievement and wellness.
• Takes an active role in interpreting the school's objectives to students, parents, and the community at large; confers with parents whenever necessary.

Qualifications*

Below are the minimum qualifications for this job. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.

Education

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and completion of an approved school counseling

program.

Experience

Successful full-time teaching or school guidance and counseling.

Licenses/Certifications

Eligibility for appropriate licensure.

*An active Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) license issued by the Virginia Department of Health Professionals (DHP) may be considered in lieu of these requirements. In addition to the LPC, the Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) may be eligible.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the structure and components of an effective school counseling program.
• Knowledge of barriers to student learning.
• Knowledge of data-driven school counseling practices.
• Knowledge of Individual counseling, group counseling and classroom instruction methods, techniques, and best practices.
• Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional issues in public education.
• Knowledge of learning and counseling theories.
• Ability to use technology effectively and efficiently to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate the school counseling services.
• Ability to collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders and other stakeholders to promote and support student success.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

*An active Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) license issued by the Virginia Department of Health Professionals (DHP) may be considered in lieu of these requirements.

Physical Requirements

The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this job:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly talking, expressing, or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The Loudoun County School Board seeks to cultivate a high performing team of professionals focused on its mission and goals. The School Board values merit and excellence within its workforce and encourages the highest levels of professionalism for all its employees. 

The School Board also recognizes and values the diversity of the students and broader community it serves and encourages diversity within its workforce. 

The Loudoun County School Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The School Board does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, national origin, ancestry, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, age, religion, disability, genetic

information, veteran status or any basis protected by law. 

ADA Accommodations Disclosure

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Loudoun County Public Schools is required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship. Qualified employees are those who hold the necessary education, skills, and experience for the job; and who can perform its essential responsibilities, with or without an accommodation.

Remote Work Disclosure

The following guidelines apply to jobs and positions where employees have been identified as having the potential to work remotely. Remote work is defined as completing one's duties and responsibilities at a site other than one's assigned duty location. In order to be eligible for remote work privileges, an employee must have demonstrated consistent, positive performance and have the support and approval of their direct supervisor. In addition, these employees must have reliable high-speed internet and a designated workspace that allows them privacy while completing sensitive and confidential work. Employees who are non-exempt and are working remotely will work their regular scheduled hours and gain prior approval from their supervisor if they work more than 8 hours a day or more than 40 hours in a workweek. Remote work privileges can be amended, changed, or revoked based upon the performance of the employee, as well as the needs of Loudoun County Public Schools. 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months/Days/Hours: 10 Month/ 197 Days/ 7.5 Hours

Reports To: Principal and/or Assistant Principal 

Salary Scale: lcps.org/compensation