School Counselor - High School

Position Type:
Student Support Services/Guidance Counselor
Date Posted:
9/11/2024
Location:
Hackensack High School
Date Available:
02/01/2025
Closing Date:
09/30/2024
HACKENSACK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HACKENSACK HIGH SCHOOL
2024 - 2025 SCHOOL YEAR
Title: School Counselor - High School
Description: Assumes professional responsibility for providing comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling services in the areas of educational and career planning, and social and emotional development so that each student develops the skills, attitudes, and knowledge to meet and exceed the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). Working collaboratively with other members of the school staff and with parents, the School Guidance Counselor acts as an advocate for the student, arranging for appropriate resources when necessary, and assisting students in understanding the school and its environment, understanding themselves and their relationships with others, understanding their strengths and needs, and planning for future educational and career opportunities.
Qualifications:

• Hold a valid New Jersey educational services certificate in accordance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:27.1 et seq., and N.J.A.C. Title 6 Chapter 11, with a student personnel services endorsement (N.J.A.C.6:11-11.11) and other appropriate endorsement(s) in accordance with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 6:11-10.1 et seq.
• Have experience in teaching and working with adolescents.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the components of a comprehensive developmental guidance program, child growth and development, strategies for effective career and educational planning, learning assessment and diagnosis, research related to learning, and the resources available in the school and community to assist secondary students..
• Exhibit a personality that demonstrates enthusiasm and the sensitive interpersonal skills to related well with students, staff, administration, parents, and the community.
• Demonstrate aptitude and competence for assigned responsibilities.
• Bilingual preferred
• Provide proof of U. S. citizenship or legal resident alien status and required criminal background check.
• Provide evidence that health is adequate to fulfill the job functions and responsibilities with reasonable accommodation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 12101 and in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:3-4A.4.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Ten (10) month work year; salary and benefits as per the Collective Agreement HBOE/HEA.
Performance Responsibilites:

• Establishes high standards and expectations for all students for academic performance and responsibility for behavior.
• Participates when requested on committees with assessment and diagnosis of the learning, social, and emotional needs and styles of students, using a variety of techniques.,
• Counsels individual students to resolve educational, personal, emotional, and social needs and other areas of concern identified by the counselor, student, parents, teachers, administrators, child study team members, or others associated with the student.
• Adheres to New Jersey school law, State Board of Education rules and regulations, Board of Education policies and regulations, school regulations and procedures, and contractual obligations.
• Monitors student absences and lateness.
• Contacts parents to ensure regular attendance.
• Makes arrangements for assignments to be sent home for students who are to be absent for long periods of time.
• Provides counseling services, including crisis intervention, to students experiencing difficulty with student growth and performance, referring students to other resources and agencies as needed.
• Assists students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the use of teacher comments, interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data. Work with students in evolving educational and career plans in terms of such evaluation.
• Maintains student records and ensure their confidentiality.
• Works closely with teachers, administrators and other professional staff members, providing information and assistance where needed for the ultimate benefit of students.
• Maintains a close relationship with the Child Study Team.
• Works closely with, and involve parents in addressing resolutions for school-related problems.
• Assists in the organization and administration of standardized test programs.
• Interviews students new to the school, provide orientation and information relative to school procedures, curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities.
• Arranges for summer work and/or enrollment in summer school programs to make up noted deficiencies.
• Maintains a professional office environment.
• Follows the ethical standards for school counselors set forth by the American School Counselor Association.
• Assists in the evaluation of current curriculum offerings and in the planning, selection and implementation of new course offerings.
• Utilizes the resources of the community in developing and expanding counseling services and activities.
• Provides for a smooth transition from elementary school, middle school, and high school, which may include orientation programs for students and parents.
• Conducts conferences with students, parents, teachers, or administrators to help all to understand and assist students in achieving success in the school and in positive personal growth.
• Coordinates school and community resources when needed to assist a student and parents, working closely with other school personnel, including the administration, nurse, social worker, learning disabilities teacher consultant, attendance officer, and others.
• Teaches developmental guidance lessons that are free of stereotyping and follow affirmative action guidelines to address the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), using a variety of instructional strategies and materials. Use effective presentation skills, including appropriate vocabulary and examples, clear and legible visuals, and articulate and audible speech.
• Registers new students and enrolls them in courses to meet graduation requirements and to meet the student needs and interests.
• Provides individual and group orientation sessions for students new to the school, monitoring to ensure a smooth transition and adjustment into the life of the school.
• Maintains accurate student records, protecting the privacy and confidentiality of information, in accordance with school policy and federal and State law.
• Maintains a confidential log of all counseling sessions.
• Assists with the administration of the State and school standardized assessments.
• Displays the highest ethical and professional behavior and standards when working with students, parents, school personnel, and other agencies associated with the school.
• Communicates regularly with parents, seeking their support and advice, so as to create a cooperative relationship to support the student in the school. Hold conferences in the evening when required.
• Assists with the monitoring of Individualized Education Plans for selected students.
• Assumes responsibility for all students within the school, beyond those specifically assigned, supervising in a fair and constructive manner to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Assist with supervision of students in non-classroom areas as assigned.
• Ensures the safety and health of all students, notifying the administration of any unsafe conditions following established procedures.
• Serves as a role model for students, dressing professionally, demonstrating the importance and relevance of learning, accepting responsibility in school, and demonstrating pride in the honorable profession of teaching and counseling.
• Notifies immediately appropriate personnel and agencies, and follow establish procedures when there is evidence of substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, severe medical or social conditions, potential suicide or individuals appearing to be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or anabolic steroids.
• Continues to grow professionally through collaboration with colleagues and professional growth experiences. Complete the require hours of State approved continuing professional development in accordance with State and district procedures, as specified in the Professional Development Plan (N.J.A.C. 6:11-13).
• Protects confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional duties and use discretion in sharing such information within legal confines.
• Adheres to New Jersey school law, State Board of Education rules and regulations, Board of Education policies and regulations, school regulations and procedures, and contractual obligations.
• All other duties as assigned by Superintendent.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of this position.
Unless reasonable accommodations can be made while performing this job, the staff member shall:

• Sitting, standing and walking for required periods of time.
• Speaking, listening and visual acuity.
• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to adjust focus.
• Able to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, using proper grammar and vocabulary. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Use strength to lift and/or move up to a maximum of 20 pounds to perform the functions of the job.
• Reaching, lifting, bending, kneeling, stooping, pushing, pulling, finger dexterity, and repetitive motions, to handle objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls.

Salary: As Per HBOE/HEA Collective Bargaining Agreement
Application Process: Apply Online via Frontline/AppliTrack
Selection Procedure: Applications will be reviewed and recommendations made to the Superintendent for Board approval.