School Counselor

School Counselor

The School Counselor will provide a comprehensive, developmental school counseling program that addresses the academic, career, and social-emotional development of all students. In strict accordance with West Virginia Code § 18-5-18b, the counselor will spend a minimum of 80% of their work time providing direct counseling relationships and services to students.

Direct Student Services (Minimum 80% of Work Time):

• Classroom Guidance:
  Deliver Tier 1 developmental lessons aligned with the West Virginia Standards for Student Success and the ASCA National Model (covering emotional regulation, conflict resolution, safety, and peer relationships).
• Small-Group Counseling:
  Facilitate targeted, short-term small groups to address specific student needs (e.g., grief, changing families, anxiety, social skills).
• Individual Counseling:
  Provide short-term individual counseling to assist students with immediate social, emotional, or behavioral barriers to learning.
• Crisis Intervention:
  Act as a first responder to provide immediate support, safety planning, and de-escalation for students experiencing acute trauma or emotional distress.

Indirect Student Services & Program Management (Maximum 20% of Work Time):

• Consultation &
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner with parents, guardians, teachers, and administrators to design intervention strategies and support student academic and emotional success.
• Student Support Teams:
  Actively participate as a core member of Student Support Teams (SST), 504 committees, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams.
• Community Referrals:
  Coordinate with outside mental health professionals, child welfare agencies, and community resources to support families needing long-term or intensive care.
• Data-Driven Practice:
  Monitor school-wide data (attendance, behavior, academic indicators) to evaluate and continuously improve the effectiveness of the school counseling program.

Education:

Master's degree in School Counseling from an accredited institution.

Licensure:
Holds or is eligible for a West Virginia Professional Student Support Certificate with a School Counselor endorsement.

Testing:
Passing score on the Praxis School Counselor Assessment (Test 5422).

Background:
Satisfactory completion of the West Virginia State Police and FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check via IdentoGO.

Skills:

Strong communication skills, deep knowledge of child development, proficiency with student data systems, and a high level of professional ethics.

200 Days Effective  School Year Compensation Salary based on experience and education level per Clay County Board of Education Salary Schedule, plus competitive benefits package equal to approximately 35% of direct compensation.

The Clay County School System is an equal opportunity employer. Employment opportunities are offered without discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, and retaliation.