School Counseling Department Chair

General Responsibilities

• Develop an effective school counseling program that supports the school's mission and instructional program as mandated by school board policy and the Office of Guidance Services and Student Records.
• Coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.
• Keep the administration and director of guidance services appraised of the progress of the department and any problems encountered.
• Establish and maintain an effective work climate within the school counseling department and school community.
• Promote innovative counseling practices by encouraging implementation of new procedures and demonstrating those that are found to be effective.
• Prepare or supervise the preparation of reports, records, lists, and all other required information and data.
• Supervise guidance staff and delegate assignments.
• Orient new counselors.
• Review school data frequently to ensure that the school counseling program is meeting the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.
• Coordinate course and summer registration period.
• Explain and interpret division-wide policies, goals and objectives to students, parents, and the community that impact student's academic achievement and the school counseling program.
• Plan, organize, and direct implementation of all school counseling activities.
• Supervise and evaluate all school counseling activities and programs.
• Review all outgoing correspondence from school counseling department.
• Work closely with school administration and master scheduler, as it relates to student scheduling.
• Work collaboratively with other department chairs.
• Serve with parents, faculty, and other student groups, as requested, in advancing educational and related activities and objectives.
• Assist in the collaborative evaluation of school counselor performance.
• Assist in the selection of school counselors for the department.
• Disseminate information to school counselors in department.
• Share information with other school personnel as appropriate.
• Facilitate department meetings.
• Provide in‑services for instructional staff.
• Ensure that building has a Guidance Advisory Committee.
• Maintain confidentiality in personnel matters.
• Encourage teacher/parent communication and community involvement.
• Meet and confer with students, parents, faculty and staff.
• Provide services to students in the area of academic, personal/social and career development.
• Counsels students individually and in small groups.
• Conducts classroom guidance activities.
• Adhere to deadlines.
• Attend division‑wide guidance department chair meetings.
• Submit monthly time and task reports to director of guidance services.
• Maintain a variety of files and departmental library of supplementary and reference materials.
• Serve as the official representative for the department.
• Perform related work as required.

• Designate a scholarship chair to coordinate and promote scholarships.
• Encourage the department to attend counselor‑related division/school activities (Graduation, College Night).

Thorough knowledge of current trends and best practices for providing a comprehensive school counseling program at the secondary level; knowledge of counseling theories and skills, group dynamics and small group processes, as well as, the ASCA Model; the ability to provide leadership in the administration and supervision of a school counseling department; ability to motivate others to reach their fullest potential;

ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, parents, students, teachers, support staff and associates; excellent oral and written communication skills; expertise with internet and computer programs.

Required:

Master's Degree from an approved school counselor education program; or endorsement in school counseling with Virginia certification in school counseling. Two or more years of experience as a high school counselor or one or more years as a high school counselor and one or more years' experience as a…