About this role
General Purpose
Serving as the lead counselor for ACPS in addition to carrying a regular counseling caseload, the Lead School Counselor coordinates division school-based counseling activities, serves as the primary liaison between the counseling staff and VDOE, and assists in supporting a consistent, comprehensive school counseling program across elementary and secondary levels. This position comes with an additional stipend for lead-role duties; it is not an administrative position and does not carry supervisory or evaluative authority over other staff.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Lead Role / Coordination Duties
- Serves as the point of contact and liaison between school counselors, ACPS central office and VDOE.
- Coordinates and helps organize division-wide counseling activities, meetings, and professional development.
- Assists in developing and maintaining a school counseling program consistent with school board policy and division guidance/student services procedures.
- Keeps the central office informed of department needs, progress, and any problems encountered.
- Explains and interprets division-wide counseling policies, goals, and objectives to school counselors, students, parents, staff, and the community.
- Assists in maintaining resource libraries, and required reporting/documentation.
- Attends division-wide counselor meetings and represents the ACPS counseling program at relevant events (e.g., transition nights, college/career events, orientation, State and Region 8 meetings, and conferences and workshops).
- Helps coordinate (not supervise or evaluate) division wide activities, ensuring consistency of practice and communication.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Working knowledge of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and Virginia school counseling standards.
- Knowledge of child and adolescent development, individual and group counseling techniques, and conflict resolution.
- Strong organizational and coordination skills; ability to manage multiple priorities across a school-based caseload and lead-role duties.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community partners.
- Proficiency with relevant technology and student information systems.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Master's degree from an approved school counseling program, or equivalent, with Virginia licensure and endorsement in School Counseling (PreK-12).
- Minimum of two (2) years of successful experience as a school counselor.
Physical and Working Conditions
- Standard school-based office and classroom environment; some travel between school sites may be required given the division's size.
- Regular attendance at division, State and Region 8 meetings, some of which may occur outside standard school hours.
Disclaimer
This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position's activities and requirements but is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, or working conditions.