26-27 Guidance Counselor WCHS

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

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties may be assigned. • Program Development and Evaluation o Organizes a guidance committee that functions in an advisory capacity o Develops a guidance calendar of activities that lists on-going and regular events and activities o Secures and makes available to students information and material on further educational opportunities, personal growth and development, and occupational opportunities and trends o Develops procedures for programs o Implements the guidance curriculum in each teacher's classroom and/or systematically conducts developmental counseling programs for each grade level in schools throughout the year o Provides resources to teachers to facilitate their teaching of counseling content in their regular lessons Counseling and Consultation o Provides time in the daily schedule for individual counseling for students o Plans and implements group guidance activities o Consults with families, teachers, administrators, and other appropriate individuals regarding services and programs available to/for students o Prepares a list of contact personnel in agencies, programs, and services external to the school setting for collaboration and referral Student Appraisal o Interprets test results to appropriate individuals o Assists in identifying students that need special services o Assists in reviewing students' progress at the end of each grading period Academic Advisement and Educational and Occupational Planning o Assists with registering and orienting new students o Provides orientation to students from feeder schools o Conducts course selection o Provides students with materials and information on school district policies regarding counseling services, student activitiesi competency and grade level testing, graduation, and college admission requirements o Provides 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 recommendation o Informs families of student-related career and educational opportunities o Consults with administrators and teachers in the planning of course offerings that meet the needs of interests so students Referrals and Follow Up o Receives and acts upon referrals from administrators, teachers, families, agencies} and other professional staff o Assist 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 schools Professional Responsibilities and Development o Organizes office for effective use and prepares/submits reports, records, lists, and other paper work o Participates in meetings on the local, district, state, or national level as required o Keeps informed of developments within the profession by maintaining active membership in appropriate organization, attending professional meetings, reading professional journals and other publications o Adheres to district policies, procedures, and administrative directives o Communicates effectively using standard oral and written English o Abides by the American School Counselor Code of Ethics Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree from an accredited college or university; Experience preferred but not required. Possession of (or eligible for) a valid regular Mississippi teaching/counselor certificate 215 days