About this role
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
• 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.
• Two years of successful full-time teaching experience, two years of successful experience in guidance and counseling, or eligibility for a provisional license.
• Complete specialized studies in school counseling elementary, middle or secondary counseling.
• Ongoing evidence of mental and physical competence to perform assigned responsibilities may be required from a qualified physician.
• 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
• Demonstrate effective time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and adherence to American Counseling Association ethical standards and guidelines.
• Demonstrate knowledge of child development and growth stages.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication and human relations skills with students, staff members, parents and administrators.
• Demonstrate effective knowledge and use of educational/counseling resources and technology.
• Demonstrate knowledge and appropriate utilization of assessment techniques.
• Demonstrate effective knowledge and use of appropriate counseling theories and techniques.
• 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.
• 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.
• Counsel students with learning, physical, social, and emotional problems, through conferences held with students on the basis of teacher, parent, principal or self-referral.
• Consult with other school counselors and counseling professionals to assist students where needed.
• Assist parents in gaining a better understanding of the age appropriate behaviors and characteristics of their children.
• Refer students and their parents to appropriate helping agencies or persons within and outside the school.
• Stay informed and connected to the life of the school.
• Model both the school and the counselor's philosophy accurately, positively and actively in the community.
• Assume responsibility for continued personal and professional growth in counseling, as well as the improvement of the profession.
• Assist all students in selecting an appropriate course of study in order to acquire decision-making knowledge, attitudes and skills.
• Serve as a participant on the school's Child Study Committee, Focus Identification/Placement Committee, and Crisis Intervention Team, as needed.
• Work closely with school faculty in planning and implementing student and parent awareness programs or other programs deemed appropriate by the individual school setting.
• Consult and arrange conferences with appropriate school personnel, community agencies, and parents relative to students and their concerns.
• Collect and interpret data about students in order to assist in program planning, occupational, and/or educational placement and student adjustment.
• Assist with the collection, organization and maintenance of pertinent data relative to the educational records of each student.
• Undertake, in a cooperative endeavor, the continuous evaluation of the ongoing effectiveness of the guidance and counseling program.
• Assist in the administration of mandated testing, as needed.
• Maintain current information regarding community agencies for information and referral.
• Maintain a clean, neat appearance, appropriate to position.
• Adhere to the guidelines of confidentiality as outlined in federal and state laws and School Board Policies and Procedures.
• Maintain a record of appropriate attendance and punctuality.
• Serve as an optimal role model for students, colleagues, and the general public.
• Must work in close harmony with colleagues, supervisors, and co-workers.
• Comply with all district and school policies and regulations.
• 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.