School Counselor - Elementary

Professional School Counselor - Elementary

Advocate and support students to fully develop each student's academic, career, personal, and social abilities and address the needs of special population students. This will be accomplished through a variety of approaches including, but not limited to, group processing, individual consultation and classroom guidance in order to facilitate and support a student in reaching their maximum potential.

Education/Certification:

• Master's degree in counseling from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas SBEC School Counselor Certificate
• Valid Texas Driver's License
• Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50.00) paid by the employee

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of counseling procedures, student appraisal, and career development
• Excellent organizational, communication (oral and written), and interpersonal skills
• Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
• Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents, and district staff
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures
• Ability to adjust and modify programs implementation to best serve students, evidenced in positive social, emotional and academic growth
• Ability to clearly articulate and discuss the counseling department management system and the program action plans with the district and school administrator

Experience:

• Minimum of two years creditable experience as a classroom teacher
• Minimum of three years of experience as a High School counselor (for Lead Counselor)

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Guidance:

1. Plan and conduct structured group lessons to deliver district's guidance curriculum effectively and in accordance with students' developmental needs. Collaborate with teachers who teach guidance related curriculum.
2. Guide individual students, groups of students, and parents to plan, monitor, and manage the student's own educational and career development including creating and reviewing personal graduation plans and providing information about post-secondary opportunities.
3. Use accepted theories and effective techniques of developmental guidance to counsel individual students, small groups of students, and parents to plan, monitor, and manage a student's own personal and social development. Provide preventive, remedial, and crisis counseling as needed.
4. Serve as an impartial, non-reporting resource for interpersonal conflicts and discourse involving two or more students, including accusations of bullying.

Consultation:

1. Coordinate school, home, and community resources and refer students, parents, and others to special programs and services as needed.
2. Work collaboratively to advocate for individual students and specific groups of students.
3. Maintain verbal and/or written contact with parent/guardian regarding the student's academic, social and emotional progress and concerns of staff, student, and parent.
4. Provide training, support and meetings for parents and students to foster development in social and emotional learning interventions

Assessment:

1. Interpret standardized test results and assessment data to guide students in individual goal setting and planning.

Program Management and Administration:

1. Plan, implement, evaluate, and promote continuous improvement of a balanced comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program that includes guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning, and system support components.
2. Advocate for a school environment that acknowledges and respects diversity.
3. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents with required state reporting agencies.
4. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and board policy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
5. Adhere to legal, ethical, and professional standards for school counselors including current professional standards of competence and practice.
6. Uphold ethical and professional standards as set forth.
7. Present the campus counseling program to the district counseling advisory council.
8. Utilize appropriate computer resources, learning information systems and e-mail to support instruction, assessment and research for campus support

Other:

1. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
2. Support the administration and campus test coordinator in interpreting district and state assessment results in order to better support campus staff in evaluating and identifying student's strengths and weaknesses; coordinate appropriate supports and interventions; makes appropriate educational and career plans with students
3. Participate in professional development activities to maintain current knowledge of personnel rules, regulations, and practices
4. Maintain a consistent professional demeanor and appearance
5. Ensure compliance with the Texas Educator's Code of Ethics
6. Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise assigned counseling aide(s) and clerical employee(s). The supervision of students is required.

Equipment Used:

• Office equipment – personal computer, printer, calculator, multi-line telephone, software programs and peripherals, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to position.
• Communication equipment – radio communication equipment, cellular telephone
• Video monitoring equipment

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands:

• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Work with frequent interruptions

Physical Demands:

• Frequent: Sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs and/or ramps, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive hand motions, hearing, speaking clearly, visual acuity, distinguishing colors, driving, traveling.
• Occasional: Lifting, moderate, 15-44 pounds; carrying, moderate, 15-44 pounds

Environmental Factors:

• Frequent exposure to temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination, vibration
• Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces, work alone, work prolonged or irregular hours.

Nondiscrimination Statement:

The Judson School District considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, marital or veteran status, the presence of a medical condition, disability, or any other legally protected status.