Itinerant Elementary School Counselor​/Social Worker

School Counselor/Social Worker

Pendleton County Schools is seeking a highly motivated and compassionate School Counselor/Social Worker to join our student support services team. This position plays a critical role in promoting students' academic success, mental health, emotional well-being, and social development. The ideal candidate will bring a comprehensive understanding of counseling and social work practices in school settings, and work collaboratively with families, staff, and community agencies to remove barriers to student learning and success.

Qualifications:

• Meet minimum standards for certification as set forth by the West Virginia State Board of Education in minimum standards for the licensure of School Counselor and State licensure/certification as a Social Worker.
• Good evaluations and/or recommendations from professional associates, employers, and/or supervisors.
• Demonstrated experience in a school or youth-focused setting.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, school personnel, and parents.

Reports To:

Principal and Assistant Superintendent

Professional Responsibilities:

• Work with individual pupils, and groups of pupils in providing developmental, preventive, and remedial guidance in counseling programs to meet academic, social, emotional and physical needs; including programs to identify and address the problem of potential school dropouts.
• Meet with staff to review data and identify student needs.
• Coordinate and oversee virtual school students.
• Plan, prepare and implement lessons focused on social and emotional well-being.
• Organize, direct, and coordinate lessons and activities.
• Gather and interpret data for individuals, groups or programs.
• Deliver services to students or others.
• Collaborate with school personnel and/or parents to coordinate the delivery of services to students or others.
• Adhere to the teacher code of conduct.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
• Provide individual and group counseling to students addressing academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Deliver developmental, preventive, and remedial guidance programs.
• Conduct needs-based assessments and interpret data for individuals and groups.
• Monitor academic performance, attendance, and behavior; implement targeted interventions.
• Address critical student concerns including bullying, crisis response, dropout prevention, and substance abuse.
• Coordinate with teachers, administrators, and families to develop and implement support plans.
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians and connect families with available community services.
• Serve on or lead multidisciplinary student support teams.
• Respect and value diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds.
• Provide crisis intervention and mental health support.
• Address immediate safety concerns and support trauma-informed care practices.
• Advocate for student well-being and ensure access to necessary services.
• Plan, prepare, and evaluate counseling/social work services and activities.
• Develop data-driven action plans and adjust programs based on ongoing evaluation.
• Organize and lead workshops or training sessions for staff, students, and families.
• Collaborate with school leadership on systemic improvements to address student needs.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices, legal standards, and ethical requirements in school counseling and social work.
• Engage in continuous professional learning.
• Demonstrate professional behavior, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making.