School Counselor

General Responsibilities

Under the direction of the building principal, plans and provides appropriate services for students, fostering an environment that supports intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development. Monitors and evaluates student outcomes, communicates with students, parents, staff, and the community, and develops, selects, and modifies guidance lessons and materials to meet student needs.

• Provide services to students in academic, personal/social, and career development areas.
• Counsel students individually and in small groups.
• Conduct classroom guidance activities and conduct career exploration/interest inventories.
• Review school data to ensure the counseling program meets academic, career, and personal/social development goals.
• Prepare reports, records, lists, and other required information and data.
• Encourage teacher/parent communication and community involvement.
• Assist students with conflict resolution and identify students with special needs.
• Refer students to intervention/remediation programs, academic and alternative programs, and appropriate school personnel and community agencies.
• Participate in Student Student Team (SST), Child Study, and 504 meetings.
• Participate in parent/teacher conferences and serve as a resource for school personnel and parents.
• Maintain files/records and a departmental library of supplementary and reference materials.
• Follow required procedures and practices.
• Submit monthly time and task reports electronically.
• Attend division-wide counselor meetings.
• Perform related work as required.

• Develop and maintain an effective school counseling program aligned with the school's mission.
• Assist the principal in developing and maintaining an effective educational program.
• Appraise administration and the Director of Guidance Services of any problems encountered.
• Explain division‑wide policies, goals and objectives to students, parents, and the community.
• Maintain an active public relations program for the counseling department.
• Organize and direct all counseling activities.
• Assist in individual academic program planning for 5th‑grade students.
• Serve as the official representative for the department and maintain a Guidance Advisory Committee.
• Provide in‑services for instructional staff and create the school counseling calendar.

• Serve all students, specifically those in the counselor’s caseload.
• Conduct individual academic program planning and 4‑year plans with rising 9th graders.
• Discuss graduation requirements, diploma plans, verified credits, scholarships, and financial aid.
• Inform students of all post‑secondary options and standardize testing (PSAT).
• Encourage participation in extracurricular activities.
• Keep the guidance department chair informed of any problems encountered.
• Participate in the department’s counseling activities and related school/division activities.

• Serve all students, specifically those in the counselor’s caseload.
• Conduct individual academic program planning and update 4‑year plans.
• Prepare students for graduation, verify Carnegie units/credits, diploma plans, and diploma seals.
• Inform students of all post‑secondary options, scholarships, financial aid, and vocational opportunities.
• Support the scholarship chairperson and the ACCESS counselor in promoting scholarships and financial aid services.
• Assist students with the college application process (transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, resume, college fairs).
• Inform students about advanced courses (AP) and Early College Scholars program, and standardize testing (PSAT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB).
• Encourage extracurricular involvement.
• Keep the guidance department chair informed of any problems encountered.
• Participate in the department’s counseling activities and related school/division events.

• Knowledge of counseling theories, group dynamics, and small group processes.
• Extensive knowledge of K‑12 child and multicultural development, the ASCA Model, Virginia Standards of Learning, and the juvenile justice system.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal standards, including FERPA, IDEA, McKinney‑Vento…