School Counselor, High School

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.

The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; work may differ and other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate.

• 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 solving personal problems related to home, family, peer, health, and emotional adjustment; is available to provide counseling in areas such 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.
• Develops a comprehensive school counseling program which supports the ASCA Model Program.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports complex outcome‑oriented data related to the effectiveness of the counseling program with emphasis on equity and student‑centered approach; uses data to determine trends and concerns and communicates results to stakeholders while assisting counselors in measuring the effectiveness of their work.
• Demonstrates fidelity in best practices 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 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 counseling.
• Collaborates with families, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders to support student achievement and wellness.
• Takes an active role in interpreting the school's objectives to students, parents, and the community; 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 experience.

Eligibility for appropriate licensure. An active Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) license issued by the Virginia Department of Health Professionals may be considered in lieu of these requirements. In addition, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) may be eligible.

• Knowledge of the structure and components of an effective school counseling program.
• Knowledge of barriers to student learning.
• Knowledge of data‑driven 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 to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate 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.

The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this job:
The employee is regularly talking, expressing, or exchanging ideas by the spoken word, conveys detailed or important spoken instructions, possesses normal cognitive abilities, frequently sits and/or remains stationary for long periods, and may occasionally exert up to 25 pounds of force to lift or move objects.

Principal