School Counselor

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/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 Counseling 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 matters of student discipline, developmental issues, and identifying significant behaviors such as suicide, self-harm, and depression.
• Fosters professional growth and building 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.

Education

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

Experience

• Successful full-time teaching or school guidance and counseling.

Licenses/Certifications

• 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.
• In addition to the LPC, the Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) may be eligible.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.
• An active Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) license issued by the Virginia Department of Health Professionals (DHP) may be considered in lieu…