SCHOOL Counselor - Middle School

Job Title

School Counselor – Middle School

Orange County Public Schools, Windy Ridge K-8, Orlando, Florida

• Provides personal and social growth counseling, including individual and group counseling on academic success, self‑understanding, communication skills, decision making, relationship skills, conflict resolution, and goal setting.
• Provides crisis intervention services such as suicide prevention, child abuse, health concerns, substance abuse, and follow‑up services as appropriate.
• Conducts individual conferences and group meetings with parents to communicate and involve them in improving student performance, including referrals to specialists following district guidelines.
• Maintains student guidance records and ensures confidentiality.
• Provides career counseling to students as assigned.
• Makes recommendations to students for higher education, college admission, and scholarships.
• Arranges alternative educational processes as needed.
• Confers with teachers to provide possible interventions for classroom academic or behavioral modifications.
• Identifies and evaluates critical data such as grades, test scores, attendance, promotion rates, graduation, and postsecondary enrollment rates.
• Uses data to develop strategies that positively impact students.
• Guides individuals and groups through the development of educational, career, and personal growth plans.
• Assists the principal and staff in evaluating guidance services and provides data to recommend program changes.
• Identifies students at risk of leaving school and initiates programs to improve their educational skills and school engagement.
• Develops and provides materials on education, career awareness, and personal and social development for students, teachers, and parents.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams for students considered for exceptional student education programs or 504 accommodations.
• Stays up to date on current technology relevant to the district and attends training to maintain required skill levels.
• Ensures timely and accurate information is maintained as part of job responsibilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the principal.

• Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from an accredited college or university.
• Certification or eligibility for certification by the Florida State Department of Education to teach in Florida.
• Valid Florida driver’s license.

• Knowledge of various counseling techniques.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze educational data, testing instruments, and measurement practices.
• Knowledge of crisis prevention and arbitration techniques.
• Knowledge of career counseling resources.
• Knowledge of district policies and state and national legislation related to Guidance/Counseling functions.
• Proficiency in operating software applications, routine typing, and basic computer operations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents, instructors, students, and the public.

School Principal

Physical ability: tasks involve moderate light work—stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects of 10–20 pounds. Sensory requirements: visual perception, discrimination, oral communication, and hearing discrimination. Environmental factors: work performed without exposure to adverse conditions such as extreme temperatures, noise, or hazardous substances.

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with OCPS Instructional Personnel Evaluation System procedures manual.