New Directions Counselor - High School

The Penn Hills School District, located in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh is currenly seeking a Counselor for the New Directions classroom at Penn Hills High School.

PENN HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

New Directions Counselor

POSITION TITLE: New Directions Counselor

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. PA School Counselor Certificate, required.

1. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written, with students, parents/guardians, agencies and staff members.

1. Three (3) years or more of School Counseling experience.

1. Knowledge of current educational research and practices in counseling and intervention for middle school in urban settings.

1. Knowledge of the adolescent learner.

1. Knowledge of strategies and principles of mediation and conflict resolution strategies.

1. Knowledge of principles in restorative justice and ability to mend relationships with peers and staff.

1. Ability to diagnosis learning styles and help students use career interest inventory profiles to explore college and career opportunities.

1. Knowledge of PA K-12 Career Standards and PA Future Ready Index requirements

1. Knowledge of mental health and trauma informed practices to support student needs.

1. Ability to utilize all hardware and software necessary for the performance of job duties including research of local and regional job markets, trends and forecasts.

REPORTS TO: Building Principal and/or Dir. of Pupil Services

ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE:

The New Directions Counselor will, supervise, plan and direct day-to-day operation of the Alternative to Suspension Program, providing counseling with multi-tiered levels of support with family communications. Motivates and assists with meaningful learning and in resolving problems which compromises effective school performance.

PRFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Manages daily operations when students are reassigned due to poor choices; supervises and manages excluded students' activities for time assigned; chooses appropriate activities for students to process through making better choices and gives assistance as needed.
• Provides counseling to students while serving in alternative to suspension.
• Communicates and works with teachers and other professional staff to help motivate students to resolve behavior difficulties which compromise effective school performance.
• Devises special methods of motivation and interventions. Intervenes with students in crisis to manage behavior problems and to facilitate student academic and social progress; diffuses confrontations between students and others as necessary.
• Schedule and participate in parent/guardian conferences. Maintains knowledge of and interacts with various community programs and services that could provide guidance and redirection for troubled students. Maintains accurate attendance records and other records and reports as required. Collects and manages all data as required.
• Organizes and/or facilitates community service opportunities.
• Participates in Student Assistance Program.
• Goal development for students: academic, attendance, behavior and career.
• May maintain records of referrals and provide monthly reports to teachers and progress monitoring to the District. Monitors student behavior in absence of other supervision. Monitors the halls after the bell to make sure students are in their correct location.
• Maintains confidentiality
• Participate in professional development to stay up to date with current practices and implementation and development of curriculum.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting for extended period of time
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling 35 pounds
• Ability to kneel, crouch, bend and reach to retrieve and handle teaching materials and supplies
• Moving fingers and hands in a repetitive manner
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating
• Hearing clearly
• Adequate vision to perform duties

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Per PHEA collective bargaining unit agreement.

APPROVED BY

THE SUPERVISOR: DATE: ____________

REVIEWED BY

THE INCUMBENT: DATE: ____________