POSITION DESCRIPTION HASTINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS SECTION I: GENERAL INFORMATION Position Title: Counselor Immediate Supervisor s Position Title: Building Principal Job Summary: Department: Instruction FLSA Status: Eempt Bargaining Unit: Teacher Under the direction of the Principal, the Counselor is responsible for providing developmental, guidance, proactive, preventive and remedial services to students. Counselors work collaboratively with students, parents, staff and the community to empower learners by assisting them in acquiring competencies in their educational, career, personal and social areas. SECTION II: ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Counsels students individually and in groups by teaching skills for achieving success; to promote positive attitudes towards self, family, peers and the community; and to address attendance issues. Provides support to students in personal crisis. Coordinates referrals to resources in the community such as mental health, child protection, chemical dependency services, and judicial agencies. Designs interventions to address problems, issues and enhance student success. Teaches students techniques in anger management, conflict management and mediation skills. Provides assistance to building administrators in the development of the master schedule. Conducts scheduling changes and maintains school schedules throughout the year. Registers and orients new students. Advises students on curriculum choices and etra-curricular activities. Leads orientation sessions for parents and incoming students. Develops and leads newcomer groups. Leads the Peer Helper Program. Consults with students, parents and teachers to identify and remove barriers to learning. Arranges for and leads student/teacher/parent staffing. Attends parent/teacher conferences. Refers students for special education assessments. Recommends students for support program(s). Assists in the administration of building discipline and administrative activities such as conduct of student conferences; assist in planning disaster/preparedness drills; works with police liaison to investigate drug offenses, vandalism or weapons violations; conducts and analyzes safe school student survey. Assists in performing various student management responsibilities including monitoring students during lunch periods, serves as detention supervisor or substitute teacher, as needed. Supervises students during various building activities such as dances, field trips or fun days. Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required. a) Provides professional epertise and assistance to individuals, other district staff and the community concerning areas of instructional epertise/knowledge. b) Attends training sessions, conferences, seminars, district and departmental meetings. Page 1
c) Keeps abreast of changing development and trends in area of assignment. SECTION III: WORK REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum education required to perform adequately in position could reasonably be attained only by completing the following: REQUIRED EDUCATION/TRAINING (choose one) less than high school diploma High school diploma or GED. 1 year college 2 years college DEGREE INFORMATION: Type of degree: (B.S., M.A., etc.) Master s Degree Major field of study or degree emphasis: School Counseling & Guidance 3 years college 4 years college 1st year graduate level Essential knowledge and specialized subject knowledge required to perform the essential functions of the job: 2nd year graduate level Knowledge of teaching principles, practices, techniques and approaches. Doctorate level Knowledge of current trends, theories and technologies pertaining individual student planning and school guidance curriculum. Knowledge of laws, statutes, guidelines and district policies or procedures pertaining to school responsibilities and duties. Knowledge of the principles, theories and trends pertaining to child development theories and development stages and needs. Advanced knowledge of educational, personal and career counseling principles, trends, methods and procedures; Knowledge of district educational and administrative policies and procedures; Knowledge of educational, career and personal development and community resources. Knowledge of career inventories and college requirements. Operation and use of office productivity software and applications utilized by the district in the maintenance of student records, files, and communications. Required Work Eperience in Addition to Formal Education/Training: Requires completion of assigned internship/practice teaching eperience as part of formal training and/or degree program. LICENSE/ CERTIFICATION Identify licenses/certification required: Licensed by State of MN in School Counseling Page 2
ESSENTIAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE WORK Skilled in: Skilled in delivering and performing individual and group interventions and counseling services in addressing various, social, academic or career development issues and concerns. Skilled in implementing and facilitating various building activities and functions such as groups, registration, student scheduling and new student orientations, or other assigned programs. Assisting and guiding student in crisis, problem solving and conflict resolution. Skilled in providing outreach services, community resources, and referral services to students and families in various personal, academic or career development areas. Ability to deal effectively and appropriately with parents, students, staff and other educational professionals over instructional needs, concerns or problems of the student and district. Skilled in the use and application of statistical, diagnostic, interventions, and standardized evaluation tools and methodologies used in personal and guidance counseling; Skilled in communicating effectively on interpersonal and group levels; Skilled in analyzing and assessing students needs, problems and issues; Maintaining required student records, files and documentation required. Communication skills in dealing with children, staff, parents, administrators and other educational professionals over parent and student issues and concerns. Interactions require persuasion, instruction and working with others to gain cooperation and understanding of educational needs, student problems, issues or needs. RESPONSIBILITY FOR DIRECT SUPERVISION OF THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS 1 Titles of Positions Directly Supervised # of Employees TOTAL INDIRECT SUPERVISION: Number of employees indirectly supervised: Total: HAZARDOUS WORKING CONDITIONS Unusual or hazardous working conditions related to performance of duties: Duties are generally performed in a typical classroom/school/office setting where there are minimal environmental hazards and risks. Employee(s) may be eposed occasionally to disagreeable conditions involving human/student/parental contact. Page 3
PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS: Indicate according to essential duties/responsibilities Employee is required to: Never 1-33% Occasionally Stand Walk 34-66% Frequently 66-100% Continuously Sit Use hands deterously (use fingers to handle, feel) Reach with hands and arms Climb or balance Stoop/kneel/crouch or crawl Talk or hear Taste or smell Physical (Lift & carry): up to 10 pounds up to 25 pounds up to 50 pounds up to 75 pounds up to 100 pounds more than 100 pounds PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS: Indicate according to essential duties/responsibilities Physical requirements associated with the position can be best summarized as follows: Light Work: Eerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects in the performance of the job. Page 4
SECTION IV: CLASSIFICATION HISTORY AND APPROVAL This Position Description reflects an accurate and complete description of the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. Department Head s Signature Date Classification History: Prepared 6/2007 by BCC. Date Board Adopted: 4/2/2008 Page 5