Middle School: Lead Professional School Counselor

Job Description:

Middle School Lead Professional School Counselor (2600005T)

The Lead Professional School Counselor for Middle School will provide counseling services to assist students in maximizing their educational experience. The incumbent will provide strong leadership, program management, guidance, and direction to school counselors in the development and implementation of the campus Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program and the district College and Career Readiness (CCR) Plan, consistent with district and school identified needs, goals and objectives.

The Lead Counselor will act as the coordinator of the campus counseling staff and liaison between the campus and central administration.

• Provide classroom guidance lessons for all grade levels as determined by district expectations and campus needs in alignment with the Texas Education Code (TEC), The Texas Developmental Guidance Model, and The American School Counseling Association (ASCA); maintain a monthly calendar of guidance activities to be made available to campus staff
• Develop and implement college and career readiness activities for all students throughout the year to include implementation of Schoo Links scope and sequence and Career Days/Fairs
• Develop behavioral interventions to be delivered in the classroom; implement behavioral interventions individually or in small groups in collaboration with teachers, as needed
• Counsel students individually or in groups regarding presenting concerns, respond to students who are in crisis, assist students with transitions (8th to 9th, returning from DAEP/JJAEP etc.), inform supervisors of student threats to themselves and/or other students, and participate in campus and district crisis intervention response teams
• Consult through conferences, phone calls, and individual meetings with various stakeholders including teachers, parents, administrators, school psychologists, diagnosticians, nurses, and other professionals, identify and disseminate information about appropriate community resources
• Initiate and/or assist other campus staff in making referrals to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) and respond to requests for additional information from TDFPS
• Counsel students individually regarding problem solving, study skills, building positive relationships, decision making skills, academic growth and responsibility, communication skills, and appropriate social behavior, assist students in career exploration and development, and facilitate post‑secondary educational placement, scholarships, financial aid, and other resources
• Provide consultation services as needed regarding student needs by participating in various campus team meetings (instructional support teams, 504, ARDs, Gifted and Talented)
• Assist with the testing and identification of students referred for the Gifted and Talented program, interpret standardized test data and cumulative records to develop realistic goals, and assist in developing Accelerated Instructional Plans (AIPs) and Personal Graduation Plans (PGPs)
• Guide students in the selection of courses (all levels), endorsements, completion of 4-year high school plans (secondary), and timely credit recovery options as needed
• Maintain accurate records of progress toward graduation, including interpreting and evaluating records from out‑of‑state and out‑of‑country schools, assist with transfer of student records, and provide transition services for students and their parents, develop and maintain student logs and collect relevant student data to support the developmental guidance program
• Provide direction, consultation, and training services for teachers, parents, and other relevant staff related to classroom/student management, social/emotional development of children, effective teacher‑parent communication, and college and career readiness
• Contribute to district and campus leadership teams as appropriate, counseling webpage on campus website, and support campus programs and special events
• Research district policy, precedent, and current practices prior to taking action and stay up-to-date professionally…