Counselor - Junior High

Role And Purpose

Provides a comprehensive guidance and counseling program that advocates for and supports all students in their personal, social, academic and career development. This is accomplished through a variety of approaches including, but not limited to, delivery of guidance curriculum in various group sizes to support student development; individual and group counseling; individual student planning and goal-setting activities; consultation and coordination activities to support student success and effective interpretation of student assessment data.

Qualifications

Education/Certification

• Master's Degree from Accredited College or University
• Valid Texas School Counselor's Certification

Experience

• Two years teaching experience required, or school district counseling experience required.

Major Responsibilities And Duties

I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Manages and leads the counseling program by planning organizing, implementing and delivering

program activities to improve students' Intrapersonal Effectiveness, Interpersonal Effectiveness,

Personal Health and Safety, and Post-Secondary Planning and Readiness.

• Delivers classroom guidance activities by teaching the school guidance curriculum components

through the use of effective instructional skills and intentionally planned structured group sessions for

students based on campus needs.

• Implements the individual student-planning component by guiding individuals and groups of students,

and parents or guardians, through the development of educational, career, personal, or social plans.

• Provides responsive service component services through effective use of individual and group

counseling, consultation and referral skills.

• Provides system support component activities through effective school counseling program

management and support for other educational programs.

II. SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION CLIMATE

• Always maintain a high level of integrity and service.
• Conducts an annual campus counseling program evaluation.
• Foster a Culture of Care through wellness activities, meaningful parent involvement, celebration of

achievement, building positive norms and encouraging innovation.

III. SCHOOL/ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT

• Communicate effectively (verbal and written).
• Maintain professional and emotional composure.
• Work with and respond consistently and equitably to all personnel, students, and parents/guardians.
• Communicate and support expectations that are consistent with district counseling program objectives.
• Interpret policies and procedures.
• Coordinate, conduct or participate in activities which contribute to the effective operation of the

school.

IV. ADMINISTRATION AND FISCAL/FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

• None

V. STUDENT MANAGEMENT

• Acts as a student advocate, leader, collaborator and systems change agent.
• Assists students and their parents or guardians in monitoring their academic, career, personal and

social development as they progress in school.

VI. SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• Serves as a consultant to teachers who conduct lessons based on the schools'/districts' guidance

curriculum.

• Clearly articulates and communicates the counseling program's management system and related

program action plans to administration, faculty, parents, and the community.

• Collaborates with administration in the coordination and implementation of school programs that

address students' educational, career, personal and social development.

• Informs and consults with the counseling program advisory council in its role in planning and

implementing the counseling program.

• Guides and advises students and their parents/guardians regarding the importance of higher education,

coursework designed to prepare students for higher education and financial aid availability and

requirements.

• Provides parent and staff training and consultation to foster student educational, career, personal and

social development.

VII. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Pursue continuous professional growth.
• Demonstrates ethical and professional behaviors and standards as set forth by the American

Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association and the state of Texas.

• Attend 2 hours of ethics training each year.

Viii. Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

IX. MISCELLANEOUS

• Performs other duties as may be assigned by principal.

X. Mental Demands / Physical Demands / Environmental Factors

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard

instructional equipment.

• Posture: Moderate standing; occasional kneeling, squatting, bending, and stooping
• Motion: Moderate walking
• Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
• Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure

to noise

• Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress,

with frequent interruptions.