Counselor

School Counselor

Salary Range: $52,800-$74,942 (183 days) $57,993-$82,313 (201 days) (Depending on Licensure Level, Education, and Experience)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
• MA or equivalent degree in school counseling or National Certified Counselor credential issued by the National Board for Certified Counselors
• A valid New Mexico PED Counselor License
• Demonstrate competency as per NM licensure requirements
• 3 years minimum teaching and/or related counseling experience.

Skills/Aptitudes:

Good organizational ability; good written and oral communication skills; ability to maintain high level of professionalism and confidentiality regarding students, staff, parents, and school matters.

Essential Job Responsibilities of Counselor:

• Works cooperatively with colleagues, supervisors, and administrators.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior.
• Follows district policies and administrative rules and regulations.
• Follows District Code of Conduct policies.
• Maintains behavior appropriate to performing and accomplishing assigned duties.
• Maintains a suitable personal appearance as it relates to position.
• Coordinates activities in the Guidance and Counseling program.
• Provides information and facilitates guidance activities for students, staff and parents.
• Serves as a consultant to the school and community.
• Provide individual and group counseling.
• Uphold the standards of the counseling profession.
• Follow policies and administrative rules and regulations as specified in the Board policy manual.
• Provide prevention strategies that address current issues such as chemical dependency, pregnancy, suicide, dropping out, and various forms of abuse.
• Provide educational and career counseling individually and in groups.
• Conduct orientation and test interpretation to students and parents.
• Provide referral services to community resources.
• Actively involved in school improvement efforts, i.e. Continuous School Improvement
• Determine guidance priorities based on local assessed needs.
• Formulate measurable objectives from identified needs and priorities.
• Coordinate a continuing evaluation of the program.
• Coordinate with the appropriate administration for achievement.
• Work with other staff members to encourage the inclusion of a student-oriented philosophy in all school activities.
• Help to integrate the guidance and counseling program within the total school program.
• Communicate with parents and community about services available within the guidance program.
• Establish and maintain contact with school community and resources.
• Assist others in their understanding of personal and social development.
• Serve as a resource to facilitate groups and presentations on pertinent issues.
• Conduct activities on educational and career themes.
• Conduct orientation/training programs for students, parents, and staff.
• Interpret test results to student, parents, and staff.
• Provide mediation for changes in behavior and conflict resolution.
• Support the staff with assistance in developing positive rapport with students to maximize learning potential.
• Assist teachers in identifying students who would benefit from counseling and provide feedback on referred students as appropriate.
• Provide information to parents and students to aid in their understanding of educational goals.
• Provide resource materials and expertise dealing with issues affecting students, staff, and family.
• Provide crisis intervention.
• Use appropriate interventions in situations detrimental to the physical, mental, educational, and emotional well being of the individual.
• Provide support to individuals by addressing topics such as interpersonal relations, communication, decision making, problem solving skills, academic programs, and career and life planning.
• Make referrals to school and community resources when necessary.
• Meet the state competency standards and the requirements for preparation.
• Participate in the development of policies concerning guidance and counseling.
• Stay informed about developments and innovations within the profession at the local, state, and national levels.
• Follow the legal and ethical standards of the counseling profession.
• Responsible for supervising extracurricular activities as designated by the principal.
• Determine schedules.
• Provide information on colleges, technical programs, military jobs, and other programs for graduate planning.
• Write recommendations for students for job, scholarship, and education applications.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.