Elementary School Counselor; Grades 4-5

Elementary and Secondary School Counselor

The Elementary and Secondary School Counselor works with all present and former students in groups and on an individual basis in the areas of vocational, educational, social and personal planning.

Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree required and Master's Degree preferred. Certification:
Specialist - Elementary & Secondary School Counselor PK-12 License: N/A. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
The elementary and secondary counselor has the responsibility to work with individuals and groups of students in order to:
Help them understand and adjust to their school environment and become good school citizens. Explain the educational alternatives and opportunities available at the time of transition from the elementary to the middle school and from the middle school to the high school. Understand their strengths and weaknesses, plan an appropriate school program and make a career choice in order to prepare for employment, college or other appropriate post-high school plans.

Develop a healthy self-concept and be able to understand and accept others. Help students develop a set of values. Develop the ability to evaluate alternatives and make wise decisions for themselves. Develop strategies aimed towards dealing with social/emotional difficulties.

Functions/Duties/Responsibilities

• Individual Analysis:
  Help identify students with special abilities, needs or problems. Make provisions for home and tutoring services as needed. Assist in the administration of the school-testing program and in the interpretation of the results. Refer for evaluation any student who has problems beyond the scope of the counselor. Assist teachers and administrators in the educational placement of the student. Serve on the multidisciplinary evaluation team.
• Resource Services:
  Provide information about opportunities for further education, financial aid and training opportunities. Provide information about military services, careers, social and personal problems. Maintain a guidance library. Serve as a resource person for the staff. Become knowledgeable about full-time, part-time and volunteer opportunities. Make appropriate referrals for educational and job opportunities. Help parents better understand the growth and development of their children and consequently help them develop realistic goals for their children.
  
  Help parents obtain and use information about the children and about educational and occupational opportunities and requirements that will help the parents to make appropriate decisions with their children and/or for their children. Help teachers better understand the students and to understand the importance of meeting the needs of all students, especially those having special needs.
• Research:
  Conduct appropriate follow-up studies of graduates and dropouts. Study community occupational trends.
• Student Records:
  Coordinate the collecting, recording and maintaining of all pertinent information about studies. Guard against the invasion of privacy, but intercept information about students to appropriate personnel. Provide information to the appropriate personnel when students transfer to other schools or make applications for employment or post-high school education.
• Professional Growth:
  Participate in appropriate professional organizations and continue his/her own professional growth by attending conferences, workshops, graduate school or by reading. Attend evening programs, faculty meetings, in-service programs and serve on district and building level committees as established by the teacher's association agreement or district policy.
• Other Duties as Assigned:
  Perform necessary duties and responsibilities in the absence of the principal or administrator.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel;

reach with hands and…