JOB SUMMARY:

Staunton High School is seeking applications for a Secondary School Counselor opening for the 2024-25 School Year.

11-month Position: Salary based on 2024-25 salary scale.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidate must be a graduate of an accredited college or university and possess or be eligible to acquire appropriate license(s) and/or endorsement(s) to be a School Counselor as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia and School Board.

POST OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, employment reference check, and receipt of the Child Abuse and Neglect Training Certificate.

Full Benefits Package

Posting: Open Until Filled

Staunton City Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and is fully committed to the principles and practices of equal employment.

STAUNTON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

POSITION DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY:

Position is responsible for assisting students, school personnel and parents with relevant educational and personal/social goals. Develops and implement effective programs for all students while functioning as a member of a school’s multidisciplinary team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

The minimum performance expectations include, but are not limited to, the following functions/tasks:

• Develops and provides an effective comprehensive school counseling program to serve the needs of all students.
• Demonstrates knowledge of national, state, and local school counseling standards.
• Provides students and families with immediate and long-range educational planning and course selection as appropriate.
• Collect, analyze, and use data to develop, implement, and evaluate the school counseling program.
• Provides individual and group counseling for students and ensure that at least 60% of time is devoted to counseling of students.
• Works cooperatively with school personnel to foster more effective learning climates for students.
• Provides workshops for parents and families to assist them in acquiring an understanding of students and techniques and strategies essential for academic and personal/social growth.
• Provides consultation and in-service to give teachers and administrators in the school information, strategies, and approaches for maximizing the total development of students.
• Makes appropriate referrals to assist parents/families and students to obtain the benefit from needed special school and/or community services.
• Maintains accurate and appropriate records.
• Provides classroom guidance for students and assist teachers with appropriate follow-up.
• Coordinate the registration process for students and assist with the transitional process for students.
• Initiates career awareness activities within the school.
• Provides transitional counseling for students transferring into the school to facilitate a positive adjustment.
• Participates in faculty committees and student activities.
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.

Other Duties:

• Maintains professional competence by attending staff development programs, curriculum development meetings and other professional activities.
• Participates in various student and parent activities which occur in school including PTA, student clubs and after-school activities.
• Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or other appropriate administrator.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Must possess: Thorough knowledge of current trends and best practices for providing a comprehensive school counseling program; thorough knowledge of counseling theories and skills, group dynamics and small group processes, as well as, the ASCA Model; the ability to motivate others to reach their fullest potential; an in-depth knowledge of child development, group and individual counseling techniques, conflict resolution techniques, and community resources; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, parents, students, teachers, support staff and associates; excellent oral and written communication skills; expertise with internet and computer programs.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Must possess a Master’s degree in education or a related field and meet the Virginia Department of Education guidelines for School Counselor. Must be eligible or possess Virginia Collegiate Professional License or Postgraduate Professional License with School Counselor endorsement.

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. Duties performed typically in school settings to include classrooms, gyms, cafeteria, auditorium and recreational areas. While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hand, and talk or hear; light lifting up to 40 pounds and other limited physical activities are required. Movement of students by wheelchairs and other mechanical devices may be required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

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 of this job. Daily personal and close contact with students to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required. Regular contact with other staff members and parents is required.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The School Counselor will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator. Staunton City Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the school board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of professional staff personnel.

Approved by: Director of Students Services, Principals and Director of Human Resources

Date: 2013-14