Counselor Pool (All Tiers) (Job Embedded)

Middle School Counselor

The Middle School Counselor holds a certified position which provides comprehensive counseling services in grades 5-8 based on team/grade level as assigned by the principal. The MS counselor must manage, analyze, and utilize data from Infinite Campus, Data Warehouse, and other district SIS databases to meet school improvement goals and students' academic, career and social-emotional needs. The job requires a person that is responsible, reliable, dependable and who understands the imperative to ensure that students' transcripts, records, schedules, academic, college, and career plans are accurate and lead to successful transition to high school. In addition, the MS counselor must have excellent customer service and communication skills.

Delivers comprehensive counseling services, activities, programs, and interventions critical to the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.

• Supports district and school improvement goals for student growth and achievement, and college and career readiness including the five characteristics of a elementary school student.
• Knowledgeable in state and district graduation requirements as well as guidelines in the Middle School Student Progression Plan.
• Informed in the MNPS Academy structure at the high school level.
• Develops a written, annual plan which is data driven and includes measurable goals which are appropriately scoped and sequenced based on the needs of the school and students.
• Completes program accountability documents as assigned by the Office of School Counseling.
• Utilizes the Early Warning Indicators to implement targeted interventions for at-risk students.
• Administers needs assessments regularly to identify and prioritize school and student needs.
• Advocates and intervenes on behalf of each student whose immediate needs, concerns, or problems are distracting or impeding his/her academic, career, and/or personal/social development.
• Supports district strategic plan including initiatives and programs to address student needs (i.e. HERO liaison, SEL, PBL, Olweus, PBIS, cluster support meetings, etc.)
• Enters data on the Supports and Intervention page after student contacts.
• Consults and collaborates with school system specialists such as school psychologists, social workers, behavior analysts, truancy specialists and nurses; consults with and refers to community-based resources including psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, service agencies, and others.
• Actively increases student participation in advanced academic courses.
• Aligns college and career readiness initiatives to the NOSCA college and career readiness competencies for the middle school tier.
• Collaborates with elementary and high school personnel to ensure a smooth transition from tier to tier.
• Provides orientation activities for incoming students and parents.
• Informs students and parents of tests results and their implications for educational and career planning.
• Conducts structured, goal-oriented counseling sessions to meet the identified needs of individuals and groups of students.
• Plans and conducts staff development programs and activities as well as educational programming for parents and the community.
• Demonstrates program accountability using data to document the results of strategies and interventions that are used to improve student academic performance.
• Partners with administrators, teachers, students, parents, and the community to remove barriers to student success and to close the achievement gap.
• Uses the skills of leadership, advocacy and collaboration to create systemic change to improve the academic success of all students.
• Protects confidentiality of records and information about students and staff. Must use discretion and adhere to all state laws and district policies when sharing any such information.
• Understands and follows oral and written directives accurately, timely, and with a positive attitude.
• Ensures accuracy of input and output data.
• Always meet schedules and timelines.
• Performs related duties as assigned for emergency and/or crisis procedures; serves on the district crisis team when needed.
• Attends trainings as needed to learn new procedures or increase ability in use of data, technology, and other district initiatives.
• Displays the highest ethical and professional behavior in working with students, parents, school staff, and outside agencies associated with the school. Serve as a role model for students and staff demonstrating positive attitudes, appropriate attire and grooming, arriving on-time to work/meetings and maintaining an effective work ethic.
• Readily reacts to change in a positive manner.
• Pursues professional growth by attending state and district workshops/conferences; keeps abreast of new information, innovative ideas and techniques.
• Guides students through the development of a Collegefortn.org student account.
• Provides for the systematic and efficient dissemination of current, accurate information needed by students and/or parents as they develop their educational and/or career plans.

Master's Degree in counseling from an accredited institution Required

This position requires Tennessee State Certification/License in school counseling Required

Equivalency Starting At: $52,048.58

Salaries are determined by factors relevant to the position which may include education, experience, and other qualifications. Final compensation decisions are made at the discretion of MNPS in alignment with organizational policies and procedures. The stated salary range for certificated teaching positions is calculated based on 201 days and should be viewed as a reference. All provided salary ranges serve as a general guideline. More information on salaries and pay tables can be found here.