Guidance Counselor

The role of the Guidance Counselor is for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional process with specific responsibility for assigned students; providing information and recommendations to parents and students; and assisting in the development of goals and plans for achievement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Students should be closely supervised at all times including in classrooms, during lunches, while on the playground and during transitions.
• Demonstrate a consistent sense of enthusiasm and passion that inspires children to want to learn.
• Continually strive to foster new and innovative ideas to help grow the program beyond the required expectations.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive program of guidance, including counseling services.
• Use a planning process to define needs, priorities and program objectives.
• Implement a comprehensive and balanced counseling program.
• Evaluate effectiveness of individual activities and the overall program in meeting desired student outcomes.
• Educate the school staff, parents, and community about the guidance program.
• Consult with administrators and assist teachers in the teaching of guidance related curriculum.
• Communicate regularly with parents about their child(ren) only through formal means (phone calls, newsletters, emails and class webpages).
• Present relevant information accurately and without bias.
• Participate in weekly Assistance Team meetings.
• Evaluate and report on students with or needing accommodation and modification plans.
• Counsel individual students with presenting needs/concerns.
• Provide counseling systematically.
• Respond to students individually.
• Counsel small groups of students with presenting needs/concerns.
• Provide counseling in groups as appropriate.
• Use accepted theories and techniques appropriate to school counseling.
• Provide professional expertise collaboratively.
• Interpret information and ideas effectively.
• Advocate for students.
• Coordinate with school and community personnel to bring together resources for students.
• Use effective referral process for assisting students and others to use special programs and services.
• Maintain a communication system that effectively collects and disseminates information about students to other professionals as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with other school programs/services.
• Use effective referral process for assisting students and others to use community agencies.
• Participate and collaborate in the planning and evaluation of the school standardized testing program.
• Interpret test and other appraisal results for school personnel, students, and parents.
• Use other sources of student data as assessment tools for the purpose of planning.
• Maintain confidentiality of student assessment and student matters.
• Ensure that the uses of student records are for the benefit of students and personnel working with those students.
• Conduct observations of students as needed. Master's Degree from accredited college or university. School Guidance Counseling certification. Strong organizational, communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills. Ability to interpret policy, procedures, and data. Knowledge in the principles of testing and measurement, which underlie standardized testing program development. General knowledge of curriculum and instruction. At least three years of guidance experience.