School Counselor

CHAMBERS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
QUALIFICATIONS :

1. A master's degree.
2. Valid Alabama teaching certificate.
3. A certificate as a guidance counselor.
4. A minimum of two (2) years teaching experience.
5. Demonstrated aptitude/skill for job performance responsibilities.
6. Must meet the suitability criteria for employment and/or certification/licensure under the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457.
7. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.

FLSA STATUS : Exempt
SUPERVISED BY : Principal
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Skills in the use of oral and written language in order to present ideas simply and clearly to students, teachers and parents.
2. Ability to speak in a well-modulated voice that can be heard by all students in a regular classroom environment.
3. Comprehensive knowledge of principles, concepts and skills in the guidance program.
4. Ability to implement effective classroom and student behavior management plans.
5. Ability to create interest through the use of materials, techniques and methods appropriate to the varying abilities and backgrounds of individual students.
6. Skills in the use of evaluation instruments consistent with the goals and objectives.
7. Demonstrated ability to coordinate and implement the school testing program.
8. Skills in individual and group counseling for the purpose of identifying and helping students with special needs.
9. Ability to use technology for communication, research, data analysis, reports, scheduling, record keeping and to perform job responsibilities as required.
10. Physical and emotional ability and dexterity to perform required work and move about as needed in a fast-paced, high-intensive work environment.

JOB GOAL:
To provide an essential service through which each student is helped to develop skills in the areas of personal and social growth, educational planning and career or vocational development.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Plans and develops an organized developmental program of student guidance counseling services with administrative cooperation.
2. Maintains accepted standards by submitting local school guidance and counseling plans to appropriate local personnel for approval.
3. Facilitates the counseling process and provides as many services as possible to the students.
4. Assesses the needs for counselor materials, supplies and equipment and to provide this information to principals for budget consideration.
5. Counsels with students individually and in small groups:
   • Helping each student understand and accept one's responsibilities, limitations, interests, attitudes, values and emotions as maturing persons who are learning to make decisions and to accept the consequences of one's decisions.
   • Providing meaningful information to the students about plans, choices and/or problems.
   • Identifying potential drop-outs and provide information and materials to aid the student in making realistic and acceptable decisions.
   • Seeking to develop within the student a continuing increase in the ability to function as a self-directing individual.
6. Assumes the role of leader and consultant in the school's pupil appraisal program by:
   • Coordinating the approved testing program for the school.
   • Collecting and organizing necessary information about each student from a variety of sources (academic records, parental conferences, personal data forms, standardized and non-standardized tests and other materials for referral purposes).
   • Identifying and referring students and parents to other resources when the student needs further assistance.
7. Assists students in educational and vocational exploration by:
   • Collecting, organizing, analyzing and making available current educational and vocational information.
   • Helping students translate previous learning and experiences into a meaningful plan.
8. Provides placement information for students, teachers, administrators and parents to:
   • Help the student make wise curricular choices and decisions.
   • Assist administrators and teachers in providing the best curricular program for each student.
   • Help the student plan toward future educational experiences as well as evaluate progress.
9. Helps parents understand the school and their children by:
   • Providing parents with information about educational opportunities as they contribute to the maximum develop of their children.
   • Providing parents with information about the school, its policies, procedures and curricular offerings.
   • Helping parents develop realistic perceptions of their children's abilities and aptitudes as they progress through school and make plans for the future.
10. Conducts in-service with administrators and teachers through faculty meetings and continuous in-service education oriented toward pupil personnel functions.
11. Conducts local studies and follow-up evaluations to determine the extent to which a program is meeting the needs of the students.
12. Maintains confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters.
13. Models and maintains high ethical standards.
14. Demonstrates initiative in the performance of assigned responsibilities.
15. Maintains expertise in assigned area to fulfill project goals and objectives.
16. Participates successfully in the training programs offered to increase skill and proficiency related to assignment.
17. Keeps supervisor informed of potential problems or unusual events.
18. Responds to inquiries and concerns in a timely manner.
19. Serves on school/system committees as required or appropriate.
20. Exhibits interpersonal skills to work as an effective team member.
21. Demonstrates support for the school system and its goals and priorities.
22. Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential problems or opportunities for improvement.
23. Prepares all required reports and maintains all appropriate records.
24. As a member of the professional staff, assists in interpreting the counseling and guidance program to the community by the total school program.
25. Assumes other reasonable and equitable job-related duties assigned by the immediate supervisor.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT :
Salary and length of contract to be determined by the Board's salary schedule.
EVALUATION :
Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of professional personnel .