26-27 Counselor Beechwood Elem

TITLE: Elementary School Counselor REPORTS TO: Building Principal JOB GOAL: To provide a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program for students; to consult with parents/guardians, teachers, and other school staff members to enhance their effectiveness in guiding and supporting students in progressing through the grade levels in planning their careers; to provide support for other education programs in the individual schools SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.Program Development and EvaluationOrganizes a guidance committee that functions in an advisory capacityDevelops a guidance calendar of activities that lists on-going and regular events and activitiesSecures and makes available to students information and material on further educational opportunities, personal growth and development, and occupational opportunities and trendsDevelops procedures for programsImplements the guidance curriculum in each teacher's classroom and/or systematically conducts developmental counseling programs for each grade level in schools throughout the yearProvides resources to teachers to facilitate their teaching of counseling content in their regular lessonsCounseling and ConsultationProvides time in the daily schedule for individual counseling for studentsPlans and implements group guidance activitiesConsults with families, teachers, administrators, and other appropriate individuals regarding services and programs available to/for studentsPrepares a list of contact personnel in agencies, programs, and services external to the school setting for collaboration and referralStudent AppraisalInterprets test results to appropriate individualsAssists in identifying students that need special servicesAssists in reviewing students' progress at the end of each grading periodAcademic Advisement and Educational and Occupational PlanningAssists with registering and orienting new studentsProvides orientation to students from feeder schoolsConducts course selectionProvides students with materials and information on school district policies regarding counseling services, student activities, competency and grade level testing, graduation, and college admission requirementsProvides students with materials and information regarding career and post high school educational opportunities; assists with college application, scholarships, and employment applications including the writing of letters of recommendationInforms families of student-related career and educational opportunitiesConsults with administrators and teachers in the planning of course offerings that meet the needs of interests so studentsReferrals and Follow UpReceives and acts upon referrals from administrators, teachers, families, agencies, and other professional staffAssist families in effective use of community and school resources such as identification of students needing special assistance; maintaining a current file of alternate programs and schoolsProfessional Responsibilities and DevelopmentOrganizes office for effective use and prepares/submits reports, records, lists, and other paper workParticipates in meetings on the local, district, state, or national level as requiredKeeps informed of developments within the profession by maintaining active membership in appropriate organization, attending professional meetings, reading professional journals and other publicationsAdheres to district policies, procedures, and administrative directivesCommunicates effectively using standard oral and written EnglishAbides by the American School Counselor Code of EthicsOther duties as assigned QUALIFICATIONS: Master's degree in guidance and counseling from an accredited college or university; Experience preferred but not required. Possession of (or eligible for) a valid regular Mississippi educator license in guidance and counseling. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and analyze, and interpret general business periodicals professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, and the general public.MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume; Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk or listen. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach, bend, and sometime lift up to 25 pounds. Mobility skills are necessary to access a variety of work locations.OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community; Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form; Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.WORK ENVIRONMENT The employee will work in an environment adhering to school board policy. This position may require work hours that vary as a result of evening activities or emergencies. In addition, job requirements may require work on weekends, holidays and attendance at meetings. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Employee acknowledges that he/she is required to maintain a high standard of professional conduct in compliance with the Mississippi Code of Ethics. Breach of said professional conduct includes but is not limited to: neglect of duty, dishonesty, and engagement in acts that are contrary to VWSD policy, unlawful activities, or any other conduct which is seriously prejudicial to the school district. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 198 Days