School Counselor

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under general supervision the school counselor is responsible for performing school counseling work with the goal of increasing the academic, social, and emotional strengths of each student. Reports directly to the Principal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists school leadership in the coordination and implementation of the school’s health, safety, wellness, and crisis-intervention programs
• Works cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the health, safety, and wellness of all students and staff
• Establishes and maintains confidential student and staff case files
• Attends faculty and staff meetings for program planning and coordination
• Attends meetings with staff and service providers to discuss individual student education plans and progress
• Prepares and implements school-approved safe school and character education curriculum lessons
• Provides individual and group counseling for students
• Consults with parents; prepares and maintains progress notes
• Observes students in the classroom and during recess / lunch time as requested; makes recommendations as appropriate to help teachers assist students in improving academic and behavioral performance
• Conducts telephone and in-person conferences with parents to discuss student progress and problems
• Presents parent workshops and training sessions
• Provides professional support and assistance to teachers
• Works with other staff in the preparation of student / program progress reports
• Informs parents of updates in the school program
• Ability to leverage current technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness of school operations and student performance
• Prepares and/or processes progress reports, case notes, calendars, monthly reports, memos, correspondence, etc.
• Attends training, conferences, workshops, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills
• Assists with state testing as needed

GENERAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assists the administrative team in providing an atmosphere conducive to learning and teaching.
• Is punctual and maintains regular attendance
• Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Maintains a clean and orderly work environment
• Assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations, and board policies.
• Recognizes and follows the appropriate procedures in the "chain of command" as designated by board policies and/or administrative procedures
• Presents a positive image of GCA at all times
• Operates a variety of equipment such as a computer, printer, two-way radio, telephone, calculator, etc.
• Willingly performs other related duties as assigned by the Principal

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Days of Employment per School Year

• 190 days of employment per school year

Education and Experience

• SC Certification as Elementary School Counselor

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the methods, policies, procedures and activities of GCA which pertain to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position
• Knowledge of the standards, regulations, and laws relating to educational counseling activities and procedures
• Knowledge of the records, forms and reports which must be prepared and maintained
• Knowledge in the methods for developing school counseling plans for students and families
• Knowledge of outside counseling and support services available to aid GCA students and families

Skills/Effort

• Ability to provide counseling / assistance to students through explanation, demonstration and/or supervised practice
• Ability to operate general office equipment in the performance of daily activities
• Ability to prepare lesson plans and instructional materials for classroom activities
• Ability to identify student adjustment and/or academic problems, provide counseling and/or recommend appropriate remedial actions to parents
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and their parents, school staff, and all other groups involved in the activities of the job
• Ability to connect GCA students and families with outside counseling and support services as needed

Working Conditions

• Conducts duties in a school environment with some exposure to environmental conditions
• Requires ability to work under a degree of stress related to duties that require constant attention and working with students
• Physical demands include walking or standing and lifting/moving of items related to the job on a recurring basis
• Occasional local travel is required between campuses; overnight travel is not required
• Job requires the operation of standard office equipment
• The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This job description is not intended as an employment agreement or contract. Job duties may be altered at the discretion of the Principal at any time without notice.

Goucher Charter Academy believes it has the obligation to provide the best administrative and supervisory personnel available for the school regardless of race, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), color, disability, age (40 or older), genetic information, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law.