School Counselor - Elementary School; EOY-End

Job Overview

The School Counselor helps students overcome problems that impede learning and assists them in making educational, occupational, and life plans appropriate to their age and maturity level, leading to their development as productive citizens and helping them develop their potential to live full, useful lives.

• Works to support the personal‑social, mental health, academic needs, and college and career readiness of each and every student in the building.
• Works with students on an individual basis in the solution of personal problems related to such situations as home and family relations, peer relations, health, and emotional adjustment; is available to students to provide counseling in such areas as personal growth, self‑understanding, and maturity.
• Conducts small group counseling on student‑selected and data‑driven topics such as study skills, social skills, anger management, self‑esteem, changing families, and grief.
• Creates and provides classroom instruction every two to three weeks through lessons promoting personal‑social, career and college readiness and bullying prevention based on Virginia Department of Education and American School Counselor Association standards for school counseling programs.
• Develops a Comprehensive School Counseling Program which supports the American School Counselor Association Recognized ASCA Model Program.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports complex outcome‑oriented data related to the effectiveness of their school counseling program with emphasis on equity and student‑centered approach; uses data to determine trends and concerns and communicates data results and implications to stakeholders while also assisting counselors in measuring and reporting the effectiveness of their work.
• Demonstrates fidelity in best practices for a school counseling program through consistent use of technology and monitoring of student outcomes.
• Provides in‑service training in school counseling for staff; collaborates with administrators and faculty on the matters of student discipline, developmental issues, and identifying significant behaviors such as suicide, self‑harm, and depression.
• Fosters professional growth and builds a positive climate of support, keeps abreast of current research, participates in professional organizations, and keeps staff informed of state and national issues and trends related to school counseling.
• Collaborates with families, school staff, administrators, and other educational stakeholders to support student achievement and wellness.
• Takes an active role in interpreting the school's objectives to students, parents, and the community at large; confers with parents whenever necessary.

Below are the minimum qualifications for this job. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.

Master's degree from an accredited college or university and completion of an approved school counseling program.

Successful full‑time teaching or school guidance and counseling.

Eligibility for appropriate licensure.

• An active Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) license issued by the Virginia Department of Health Professionals (DHP) may be considered in lieu of these requirements.
• Additional eligible credentials include Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

• Knowledge of the structure and components of an effective school counseling program.
• Knowledge of barriers to student learning.
• Knowledge of data‑driven school counseling practices.
• Knowledge of individual counseling, group counseling and classroom instruction methods, techniques, and best practices.
• Knowledge of legal, ethical and professional issues in public education.
• Knowledge of learning and counseling theories.
• Ability to use technology effectively and efficiently to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate the school counseling services.
• Ability to collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders and other stakeholders to promote and support student success.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.