School Counselor

Under the direct supervision of the Principal, facilitates the age-appropriate educational, emotional and psychological development of children through experimental play therapy, group process, individual counseling, educational presentations and field trips. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information and coordinates school-wide state assessments/testing and the Student Assistance Team (SAT) process.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work under the direct supervision of the Community School Principal.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

NATURE OF WORK

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides individual and group counseling to students.
• Coordinates career education, transition, activities and lessons.
• Communicates with parents.
• Plans and prepares for the State mandated assessments – NMSBA, WIDA, PARCC and NMELPA.
• Custodian of student cumulative files.
• Plans and prepares for the Career Day/Wellness Workshop.
• Monitors and tracks attendance.
• Provides support groups for students on topics including social skills, divorce, grief, etc.
• Counsels with Principal regarding program needs including crisis intervention, threats, and acts as a consultant/witness in the questioning of students.
• Collaborates with Principal on school annual report.
• Collaborates with school psychologist on student concerns.
• Provides student supervision in the morning and during lunch hour in the cafeteria and playground.
• Attends and holds parent conferences.
• Consults with teachers and staff regarding needs of the students and facilitates referrals.
• Participates in and facilitates the intervention team process.
• Makes homes visits when necessary.
• Chaperone’s school functions and athletic event supervision.
• Performs other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, SKILLS, AND

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of records management procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of curriculum development.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of counseling.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgement.
• Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules.
• Ability to supervise and ensure a safe learning environment for children.
• Ability to adapt to meet the needs of all children including at-risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to respond to emergency or crisis situations.
• Skill in classroom management.
• Skill in directing the activities of groups of children; evaluating progress, and maintaining an orderly classroom.
• Knowledge of childhood development, diet, and nutrition guidelines.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to define problems collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and legible reports and create and present detailed, accurate, objective, and effective speeches and presentations.
• Ability to interpret applicable Federal, State, County, and Local Laws, Regulations, requirements, ordinances, and legislation.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing…