Class Title:

Counselor

Basic Function:

Under the direction of the Principal or Support Administrator to provide counseling and guidance services to students; provide students with information, assistance and advice concerning educational and career opportunities; identify and counsel students with special needs and behavioral, social and school adjustment problems; make referrals to other community resources, support groups and social service agencies as appropriate.

Essential Functions:

• Provide individual and group guidance counseling to students; confer as needed with parents, teachers and others regarding student needs including school achievement and behavior.
• Provide students with information, assistance and advice concerning educational and career opportunities; assist students with making decisions concerning educational and career opportunities; review student transcripts for four-year planning.
• Identify and counsel a variety of students with special needs including truants, potential dropouts, special education and GATE students, academically deficient individuals and students with social or behavior problems; develop educational goals for students with high risk behavior.
• Provide counseling to families to assist students with school and social adjustment problems; conduct home visits as appropriate; provide crisis counseling services as needed.
• Refer students to social service and governmental agencies, support groups and other community resources as appropriate; consult with law enforcement agencies regarding students as necessary.
• Develop and present parent and student workshops for low achieving students.
• Serve as liaison to other agencies, students, school personnel, families and community organizations; maintain relations between school, the community and community services; respond to inquiries and provide information.
• Train and provide work direction and guidance to assigned staff; assign and review the work of staff.
• Prepare records and reports related to the assignment; prepare letters to parents, progress reports, referrals and related documents.
• Maintain current knowledge of community resources and recent trends in counseling techniques.
• Communicate with District personnel, school staff, parents, students and public agencies regarding student placement, referrals, services and related issues.
• Proctor a variety of tests and assist teachers with the testing process as directed.
• Coordinate counseling and conflict mediation groups to enhance student communication skills; provide crisis counseling as needed; consult parents concerning students with social or behavior problems.
• Utilize diagnostic and assessment procedures as appropriate; gather, organize and interpret data regarding students to teachers and parents.
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations as requested; attend and participate in a wide variety of meetings, conferences and seminars.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer and assigned software.
• Prepare and teach curriculum units as assigned.
• Chaperone a variety of school events such as games and dances.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Demonstrated Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge Of:

• Effective personal and academic counseling techniques and procedures.
• Counseling theory, ethics and associated legal confidentiality requirements.
• Principles, practices and procedures of educational and career counseling.
• Specific laws regarding minors and child abuse reporting.
• Applicable sections of the State Education Code and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• Curriculum and promotion requirements.
• Normal and abnormal child behavior and development.
• Behavior modification techniques and strategies.
• Student assistance programs.
• Community referral resources.
• Principles of training and providing work direction and guidance.
• Diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of District students.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Record-keeping and report preparation techniques.
• Operation of office equipment including a computer and assigned software.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Public speaking techniques.

Ability To:

• Provide counseling and guidance services to students.
• Provide students with information, assistance and advice concerning educational and career opportunities.
• Identify and counsel students with special needs and behavioral, social and school adjustment problems.
• Make referrals to other community resources, support groups and social service agencies as appropriate.
• Assess student needs and develop viable plans and alternatives.
• Plan, prepare and conduct individual and group counseling sessions.
• Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, codes, rules and regulations.
• Set limits and personal boundaries for students.
• Train and provide work direction and guidance to assigned staff.
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations.
• Complete work with many interruptions.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information.
• Maintain records and prepare various reports.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer and assigned software.
• Maintain consistent, punctual and regular attendance.
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Hear and speak to exchange information and make presentations.
• See to read a variety of materials and monitor student behavior.
• Move hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.

Any combination equivalent to: bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work or related field and sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

Valid Pupil Personnel Services Credential.

Working Conditions:

Office and classroom environment.
Constant interruptions.
Potential exposure to volatile and emotional individuals.

Environment:

Office, classroom or outdoor environment.

Compensation:

Certificated Salary Schedule