26-27SY Teacher, Full-time-Behavioral Health Counselor - School Counselor-George Washington High School

26-27SY Teacher, Full-time-Behavioral Health Counselor - School Counselor

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city's more than 198,405 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?

Job Summary

Advises students at an assigned secondary or middle school. Provides counseling services that foster the academic, personal, social and career development of all students. Provides individual/group counseling and guidance for students and implements broad based programs that deal with decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies and other issues. Serves as both the primary agent for addressing issues that impact on students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential and the school based resource for dealing with dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness and crisis prevention/intervention. Communicates with bilingual or deaf/hearing impaired student/families using English and a specified world language or English and American Sign Language or Signed English for the sign language specialty. Acts as a liaison between the school and various community/governmental agencies that may provide services to students and their families.

Essential Functions All Specialties

• Provides general school counseling and guidance programs and services including individual and group counseling and guidance.
• Implements broad based programs dealing with decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies and other issues.
• Plans and provides classroom guidance focusing on post high school planning, career exploration, family and/or peer relationships and decisionmaking.
• Provides formal and informal counseling services to students and their parents concerning issues that are affecting or may affect the students' academic achievement and/or social, emotional or personal development.
• Serves as the primary agent for addressing issues that affect students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential.
• Serves as the school based resource for dealing with dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness and crisis prevention/intervention.
• Participates in team interventions with other staff to support students.
• Collaborates with parents, teachers and other staff in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive educational program for students.
• Makes referrals to outside agencies as needed and provides ongoing followup services to students and their parents.
• Gathers and disseminates information on critical issues such as student substance abuse, suicide prevention, teen pregnancy and homeless.
• Keeps abreast of current techniques and trends in school counseling and guidance for secondary and/or middle school students.
• Prepares and maintains student-counseling records; prepares reports on students, correspondence and statistical summaries.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements Regular and Sign Language Specialty

Master's degree in school counseling at an accredited college or university.

Bilingual Specialty

Master's degree in school counseling at an accredited college or university.

GEAR UP 3 Specialty

Master's degree in school counseling at an accredited college or university.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities All Specialties

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the principles, practices and theories of individual/group counseling.
• the principles, practices and theories of developmental/educational guidance.
• the current techniques and trends in counseling and guidance at the secondary/middle school level.
• theories and principles of adolescent development, individual/group behavior, group dynamics and interpersonal interactions.
• communication skills and techniques.
• the current health, economic and social problems experienced by urban families.
• the functions and resources of community/governmental agencies that provide support services for students and their families.

Demonstrated ability to:

• provide counseling and guidance on an individual/group basis and to conduct group support/guidance sessions.
• employ tact, diplomacy and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive or personal problems and hostile attitudes.
• work effectively with students and their families and to aid them in the constructive use of their capacities to address their specific problems.
• identify the signs of substance abuse and students at risk for suicide.
• understand and interpret standardized test scores, marking guidelines and promotional policies.
• participate in crisis intervention.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• prepare and maintain student-counseling records, reports, correspondence and statistical summaries.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Bilingual Specialty

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• both English and the specified world language, including history and culture.

Demonstrated ability to:

• fluently speak, read and write both English and the specified world language.

Sign Language Specialty

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the social and emotion issues related to deafness/hearing impairment.
• the diagnostic and assessment instruments commonly used for assessing deaf/hearing-impaired students.
• the history and culture of the deaf/hearing impaired community.

Demonstrated ability to:

• demonstrate proficiency in the use and understanding of Signed English and American Sign Language.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.

Certificates/Licenses

Regular, Sign Language and GEAR UP 3 Specialty

Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania instructional specialist certificate endorsed for Secondary Counselor (or Guidance Counselor Certificate issued prior to July 1, 1969) OR Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Elementary and Secondary School Counselor (PreK - 12) certificate.

Bilingual Specialty

Presentation of an original, signed letter from the Certification Officer of an accredited college or university verifying current enrollment in an approved School Counselor certification program.