School Counselor - Secondary

Title
: SCHOOL COUNSELOR - HIGH SCHOOL

Design and deliver a school counseling program that engages students and improves student outcomes. Includes leadership, advocacy and collaboration with school staff, administration and community/family members in the delivery of programs and activities to help students achieve success and promote equity and access for all students. Identify students' academic and social/emotional needs, as well as providing necessary interventions. Assist in removing barriers to learning and helping students develop skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement.

• Master's Degree from an approved school counselor education program or endorsement in school counseling with Virginia certification in school counseling.
• Possess high moral standards and integrity.
• Demonstrate a willingness to work with and treat all students with dignity and respect as unique individuals.
• Ability to quickly learn procedures used to report information and maintain records.

• Knowledge of counseling theories and skills, small group dynamics and processes; knowledge of child development and culturally responsive practices; demonstrates working knowledge of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model; demonstrates considerable knowledge of FERPA, IDEA, McKinney-Vento Act, ESL and laws concerning student rights and confidentiality, as well as, other state and federal mandates; working knowledge of the student information system;
  
  knowledge of standardized testing, procedures, and interpretation of scores; working knowledge of gifted and special education programs; knowledge of acceleration, promotion, and retention requirements and processes; excellent oral and written communication and human relation skills; ability to work with administrators, colleagues, school board office and school based staff, students, parents and community members.

• Develop and maintain an effective comprehensive school counseling program consistent with the school's mission and goals.
• Collect, analyze, and use data to develop, implement and evaluate the school counseling program to ensure it is meeting the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.
• Protect the confidentiality of students' records and release of personal data in accordance with prescribed federal and state laws and school division policies.
• Serve all students but is specifically responsible for students on assigned counselor caseload.
• Keep school administration and Coordinator of School Counseling appraised of any problems encountered.
• Provide at least 80% direct counseling services to students in the areas of academic, personal/social and career development.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate school counseling classroom lessons in accordance with the American School Counselor Association Standards.
• Facilitate short-term small groups to address students' academic achievement, career exploration, and social/emotional well-being.
• Plan, organize, and implement all school counseling activities.
• Conduct academic advisement with individual students to develop, review, and maintain academic and career plans based on each individual student's interests, abilities, skills, and achievements to attain their educational and post‑graduation goals.
• Prepare students for graduation by discussing requirements, diploma plans, verification of course credits, verified credits, and diploma seals.
• Inform students about the advantages of higher-level courses (AP, IB, Dual Enrollment), Early College Program, Early College Scholars Program, New Horizons, the Governor's School for Science & Technology, the Governor's Health Science Academy, the Associate's Pathway, and other special programs.
• Prepare and inform students for standardized testing (PSAT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB).
• Assist students with the college application process (transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, resume, college fair, scholarships, financial aid, etc.).
• Assist students with post‑graduation vocational, employment, and/or military opportunities.
• Inform students about the importance of…