School Counselor

Pine-Richland School District

Position Description

Position Title: School Counselor

Location/Department: Eden Hall Upper Elementary School

Reports To: Building Principal; Dotted Line to Director of Student Services

Salary: Pine-Richland School District considers both level of education as well as teaching/counseling experience in determining starting

salaries. The District is currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. The starting annual salary for a full-time

teacher is no less than $55,455

Summary

Provide comprehensive guidance and counseling services to upper elementary school-age children and youth, including prevention, intervention, coordination, and consultation services in accordance with accepted professional counseling standards and Pine-Richland School District Board Policies.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide professional counseling and guidance services to students in the areas of personal, social, occupational and educational development.
• Assist and consult with professional teaching staff and school administrators in developing sensitivity to and in identifying the particular needs of individual students and in utilizing appropriate referral procedures.
• Conduct classroom observations of students for purposes of educational planning.
• Analyze and evaluate test data and psychological assessments and make recommendations to professional teaching staff and administration on needs of individual students.
• Evaluate and advise on selection and/or use of appropriate group and individual tests and assessments to measure academic progress and achievement, interest inventories, social adjustment, physical growth and development, special aptitudes and intelligence quotients.
• Develop, implement and maintain a transition program for students matriculating from Grade 3 to Grade 4 and from Grade 6 to Grade 7.
• Conduct group guidance activities, teach courses and/or provide group guidance related to educational requirements and opportunities and career information.
• Participate in individualized education program planning and other activities which supplement the total counseling and guidance program objectives, including development and implementation of individual and group activities designed to meet personal, social and educational developmental needs of student and which provide students with positive support and motivation.
• Attend meetings with students, parents and/or other professionals, as needed, to provide counseling and guidance services, discuss individual student needs, and provide information on child development and parenting issues, including referrals to community services when appropriate.
• Develop and provide building and district-level in-service and training programs for staff relating to guidance program and objectives.
• Collaborate with building administration and staff to build a caring and supportive climate within the school.
• Facilitate and coordinate New Student Orientation Program for new students and their parents and parent and elder volunteer programs.
• Participate in Instructional Support Teams, Threat Assessment Teams, Special Education IEP Teams, and GATE screening, including attendance at respective team meetings.
• Conduct classroom lessons on an “as needed” basis to provide intervention with a classroom group.
• Communicate guidance program and objectives to school staff, parents, and community members.
• Maintain knowledge of current research and best-practices in the field of school counseling, including compliance with all applicable professional development requirements and participation in in-service and staff development activities.
• Respond to crisis situations, when appropriate.
• Develop means and methods of enhancing the communication process between home and school , including development and implementation of newsletters, parent resource centers, guidance services website and similar on-line resources, and parent and student education groups.
• Participate in kindergarten and building-level orientation activities.
• Maintain awareness of and consult with community-based family services agencies
• Work collaboratively with and provide assistance to drug and alcohol prevention groups.
• Serve as a member of department/building teams, as needed.
• Serve as building liaison and point of contact in the absence of building administrator, including providing prompt notice to Superintendent’s office and other appropriate district-level administrators of issues, events or other matters occurring at the building which may require a district-level response or which are or may become the subject of student, parent or media inquiries.
• Maintain effective working relationship with professional and administrative staff, students, parents and community groups.
• Maintain accurate and complete records, as required by law, and ensure that all activities comply with applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, as well as all Board policies and guidelines and all administrative requirements.
• Regular and timely attendance.
• Other duties as assigned by the Administration.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises students in the guidance office and in small/large group sessions; direct work of secretarial support staff in Guidance Office.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education And Experience

Master’s degree in School Counseling or similar program of study required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid Pennsylvania Educational Specialist Level I or Level II certification, endorsed for both Elementary School Counselor (or equivalent). Current federal and Pennsylvania criminal record and child abuse clearances required.

Confidentiality

Respects and maintains the confidentiality of student records, personal communication and family background at all times. Knowledge of and compliance with the requirements of the Federal Education Records Privacy Act and all other federal and Pennsylvania laws and regulations pertaining to the confidentiality of student records required.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, parents, professional staff, Board of Directors and the general public.

Computer Skills

Ability to use and provide basic instruction in a PC or Macintosh environment.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plan and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS And ABILITIES

Ability to work with special needs children. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of and in compliance with all district requirements and school district policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

During a typical workday, counselors are required to stand approximately 30-35% of the day on flat surfaces. Periods of continual standing can be up to 30 minutes at one time, but are at the counselor’s discretion. Counselors may change position as desired. When in the classroom, counselors write on the chalkboard or interactive board or instruct students from a central location in the classroom. Standing is performed intermittently with sitting and walking. Counselors walk about the school throughout the school day.

Lifting/carrying requirements are minimal. Counselors are required to lift books and classroom supplies weighing less than 10-15 lbs.; heavier objects weighing up to 25 lbs. (AV or computer equipment) on a rare basis. Carts are available to transport heavier items. Pushing/pulling – Counselors are required to push/pull file cabinets or desk drawers. Climbing/balancing – No significant amount of climbing or balancing is expected. Stooping, kneeling, bending at waist/knees – not significant; however, counselors may stoop or kneel while engaged in special projects. Reaching – Counselors may reach on frequent basis while performing typical job functions, primarily between the knee and shoulder levels.

Dexterity – Fine manipulation is a requirement of this position while operating a computer. Counselors must also demonstrate legible handwriting, which can be understood by students and adults. Specific vision abilities required include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact, both orally and in writing, with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for safety and well being of students in their charge. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional may be assigned.