High School Guidance Counselor~ BPA

High School Guidance Counselor

To provide, as a member of the Guidance Department, a comprehensive guidance program for students in grades 6-12 and specifically provide activities to meet the needs of their assigned case-load; consult with teachers, staff and parents to enhance their effectiveness in helping students; and provide support to other high school educational programs.

Counsel groups or individual students through the development of educational and career plans. Counsel small groups and individual students with problems; refer severe problems to appropriate community resources. Consult with teachers, staff and parents regarding meeting the developmental needs of students. Conduct counseling activities in the classroom in conjunction with administration and teachers. Consult with teachers to facilitate the infusion of counseling learning activities into the regular education curricula Respond to crisis situations when appropriate.

Assist in standardized test administration. Attend orientation meetings and other parent information meetings. Provide support services for students in the areas of academic programs, team teaching, registration, course planning, school rules and other matters. Assess and counsel students based on observations, conversations and test results. Provide personal counseling for students, families and groups to help them learn greater self-understanding, acceptance of responsibility and better decision-making skills.

Provide group counseling for interaction, communication and support skill development. Interpret post-high school opportunities and available information regarding career, college, military and life style decisions. Administer tests and diagnoses results in areas such as organization, memory skills, aptitude and preferences. Assist students with college, scholarship/grant applications. Maintain professional competence through in-service education provided by the district and in self-selected professional growth activities.

Serve on faculty and curriculum committees. Supervises classroom and students (volunteers and parent helpers where appropriate). Performs general supervisory duties as scheduled.

Bachelor Degree. (Masters Degree for certain positions). Additional credits required for completion of certification requirements. Valid Connecticut Teaching Certificate. Endorsement 068 Ability to read, analyze and interpret periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations. Ability to write memos, reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents and the general public.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Basic knowledge and experience with standard hardware and software applications.

Ability to use computer for E-mail, word processing, accounting, databases and presentations. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and teaching competencies to instructional program.

Ability to plan and implement lessons based on school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents. Skill in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies and the code of professional responsibility for teachers.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear and sometimes walk and sit. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to fifty (50) pounds, such as boxes of books and AV/VCR carts. The employee is directly responsible for safety, well-being or work output of other people.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, such as to read handwritten or typed material and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff. The work environment is moderate to loud. Duties are performed indoors and occasionally outdoors.