Guidance Counselor

Guidance Counselor Job DescriptionJob Title: Guidance CounselorReport to: Head of SchoolShift type: Full timeContract Term: 12 monthsLocation: The Islamic School of IrvingBASIC FUNCTIONS:Student & School-Wide SupportProvide consultation to school administrators, teachers, staff, students and parents regarding personal social and emotional needs of studentsConduct a needs assessment and evaluation of bullying, violence, and risky behaviorsProvide individual/group counseling for at-risk studentsRefer students who need intense or specialized services to district or outside agenciesProvide support for new and returning studentsCoordinate or assist the campus-based counseling team in facilitating interventions or strategies to remove barriers to student successPrepare and deliver a minimum of ten guidance lessons to all students to develop life skills, promote good character, develop resilience, and emphasize the importance of higher education and goalsettingThe Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) counselor oversees and helps determine SEL policies, monitors staff needs and issues, and solicits feedback from staff about what is and what is not working. She/he is a good listener, providing support and training as needed to continue a strong and positive experience to meet student social and emotional learning requirements.The SEL counselor recognizes shifting cognitive and emotional needs of students within their school, looking for trends before they emerge and are established.Staff Support & CoachingRaise the level of understanding among all staff about the importance of SEL as well as SEL-based approaches for working with individual students, classrooms and incorporating a SEL-focused school cultureCoordinate or assist in implementing schoolwide activities related to healthy student development including Anti-bullying initiativesCoordinate staff-focused SEL and general self-care activities and information sessionsOrganize and facilitate staff training at monthly meetings, which could continue during the summer months (as needed)Participate in all staff meetings and trainingsCommunity Engagement & OutreachConduct parent workshops, training, and general outreach to educate parents on the importance of positive environments and SEL, and enhance parents' ability to support their children's successRecruit community agencies as a resource to meet student and school needsSpecial ProjectsCoordinate other activities that foster bully prevention and social and emotional and academic well-being of all studentsPerform all other tasks and duties as assigned by principalISI personnel must comply with time and effort reporting requirements through personnel activity reports or periodic certifications, as appropriate.Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this positionWORK ENVIRONMENT:The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. A remote working environment /alternate work arrangement is not an option for campus-based employees/campus-based positions because regular and punctual attendance at the worksite and performing all duties at the worksite are essential job duties for all campus-based personnel.QualificationsMaster's degree in Guidance Counseling; valid Texas counseling certificate is a plusA minimum of five years counseling experienceAbility to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse groupsEffective interpersonal skills to interact with all levels of employees, staff members, and the general publicCompetence with the use of technology required in a professional officeAbility to promote a positive, caring climateProcess all levels of work on assignments from beginning to endEffective and efficient decision-making skillsAbility to coordinate multiple projects and assignments; high degree of flexibility requiredKnowledgeable of counseling procedures, student appraisal, and facilitating student growthKnowledgeable of social and emotional learning competencies, restorative practices, and positive behavior interventionsAbility to interact and communicate effectively with students, staff, and parentsDemonstrated ability to coach school staff and provide support with implementing SEL-based approaches (at the student, classroom, and school-wide levels)Demonstrated ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusionsDemonstrated flexibility to cope with the challenges of a rapidly changing worldDemonstrated willingness to remain current with the latest developments in the professionApply academic achievement strategiesManage emotions and apply interpersonal skillsPlan for postsecondary options (higher education,military, work force)Individual student academic planning and goal settingSchool counseling classroom lessons based on student success standardsShort-term counseling to studentsReferrals for long-term supportCollaboration with families/teachers/ administrators/community for student successAdvocacy for students at individual education planMeetings and other student-focused meetingsData analysis to identify student issues, needs and challenges n acting as a systems change agent to improve equity and access, achievement and opportunities for all students