School Counselor

Job Title:

School Counselor

Salary Class:

TCH/190 days

Location:

Timrod Elementary School
PCS Code:

110000

Reports to:

Principal

Position Type:

Full-Time/Exempt

General Statement of Job

Under limited supervision, plans, supervises and provides professional guidance services designed to help each student establish a strong academic, social, emotional and physical foundation so that he may be successful in school and life in the future. Provides prevention, intervention and crisis counseling services, and personal and academic support and assistance to students as appropriate. Ensures the maintenance of accurate, up-to-date and confidential student records


Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Aids students in course and subject selection; obtains and disseminates occupational information to students and to classes studying occupations.

• Assists students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data, and works with students in evolving educational and occupational plans in terms of such evaluation. Helps students evaluate career interests and choices.

• Supervises the preparation and processing of college, scholarship and employment applications.

• Plans guidance field trips to schools, colleges and industries.

• Guides students in their participation in school and community activities.

• Conducts individual, small- and large-group, and classroom guidance counseling sessions as needed.

• Works to discover and develop special abilities of students.

• Works to resolve students' educational handicaps.

• Works with students on an individual basis in the solution of personal problems related to such problems as home and family relations, health and emotional adjustment, etc.

• Provides crisis intervention for students in immediate need.

• Consults with parents, principals, nursing staff, teachers, school psychologists, special service personnel, and outside experts on individual cases as necessary.

• Makes referrals to other agencies and service providers as appropriate.
• Plans and/or participates in staff orientation and staff development activities.

• Provides in-service training in guidance for teachers and familiarizes the staff with the range of services offered by the student personnel services department.

• Advises administrators and faculty on matters of student discipline.

• Takes an active role in interpreting the school's objectives to students, parents and the community at large; interprets the guidance program to the community.

• Organizes and conducts an annual "career day."

• Ensures the maintenance of accurate, up-to-date and confidential student records; documents all counseling services and referrals performed; maintains confidentiality as required.

• Provides necessary student information to colleges and potential employers; makes recommendations to colleges for admissions and scholarships.

• Plans and administers the department budget; monitors expenditures and maintains financial records as required.

• Coordinates special events, projects or programs as assigned.

• Performs general administrative/office duties as required, including but not limited to composing reports and correspondence, entering data into the computer, compiling data for reports, copying and filing documents, conducting and attending meetings, responding to mail and telephone calls, etc.

• Operates various types of machinery and equipment including a computer, printer, typewriter, copier, fax machine, telephone, calculator, audio-visual equipment, etc

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions

Physical Requirements :


Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Data Conception:


Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.


Interpersonal Communications:


Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisors.


Language Ability:


Requires ability to read a variety of reports and documentation, policy and procedure manuals, guidance texts, professional journals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, records, recommendations, correspondence, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence:


Requires the ability to apply logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Requires the ability to apply to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude:


Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions; to counsel and teach students, employees and parents. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying ages and educational/cultural backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including education, psychology, special education, counseling, etc.

Numerical Aptitude:


Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to interpret test scores.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:


Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape; and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination:


Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery.


Manual Dexterity:


Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.


Color Discrimination:


Does not require the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.


Interpersonal Temperament:


Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a slight degree and to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications:


Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).


Training and Experience


Requires a Master's degree in school counseling, with required course work in school guidance counseling, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Prior teaching experience is desirable.


Performance Criteria Evaluations

Job Knowledge:


Has comprehensive knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the Florence 1 Schools as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Guidance Counselor. Has thorough knowledge of the organization of the District. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Is able to make sound, educated decisions. Has the ability to plan and develop daily, short- and long-term goals related to District purposes. Knows how to apply managerial concepts and principles; has knowledge of administrative principles involved in developing, directing and supervising various programs and related activities. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Is able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Has comprehensive knowledge of the theories, methods, practices and materials of school guidance counseling. Is able to plan and implement effective intervention, routine and crisis counseling strategies as appropriate. Knows how to develop effective relationships with students. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Has the ability to offer training and assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required. Is able to read and interpret complex materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Is able to assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department. Has knowledge of proper English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Is able to prepare and monitor department budgets as required. Has knowledge of and is able to use modern office practices and equipment, including computers. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations; is able to handle volatile situations calmly and professionally. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.


Quality of Work:


Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with internal and external entities with whom the position interacts.

Quantity of Work:


Performs described Essential Functions and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce a quantity of work which consistently meets established standards and expectations.

Dependability:


Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Maintains accountability for assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:


Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to District policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.


Initiative and Enthusiasm:


Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountability. Strives to anticipate work to be done, and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.


Judgment:

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur, and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment. Monitors the activities/behavior of the student body to ensure student safety and well-being.


Cooperation:


Accepts supervisory instruction and direction, and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same. Questions such as instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified (i.e., poor communications, variance with District policy or procedures, etc.). Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the District.


Relationships:


Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and district benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all District employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staff and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public so as to maintain good will toward the District and to project a good district image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the District. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the District. Interacts effectively with higher management, professionals and the public.


Coordination of Work:


Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.


Safety:


Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the District and various regulatory agencies. Sees that standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.


DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.