SCHOOL COUNSELOR JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION: School Counselor REPORTS TO: Principal PURPOSE: Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, school counselors promote student success, provide preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career, and personal/social development for all students. The major functions of the school counselor job description incorporate the North Carolina State Board of Education priorities of High Student Performance, Healthy Students in Safe, Orderly and Caring Schools, Quality Teachers, Administrators and Staff, Strong Family, Community, and Business Support and Effective and Efficient Operation. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. MAJOR FUNCTION: DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM 1.1 Discusses the comprehensive school counseling program with the school administrator. 1.2 Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling program based on the NC Comprehensive School Counseling Standard Course of Study and current individual school data. 1.3 Communicates the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to education stakeholders. 1.4 Maintains current and appropriate resources for education stakeholders. 1.5 Uses the majority of time providing direct services through the Guidance Curriculum, Individual Student Planning and Preventive and Responsive Services and most remaining time in program management, system support and accountability. (National standards recommend 80% of time in Guidance Curriculum, Individual Student Planning and Preventive and Responsive Services and 20% of time in program management, system support and accountability. {American School Counselor Association (2003). The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs. Alexandria, VA}) 2. MAJOR FUNCTION: DELIVERY OF A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM Guidance Curriculum 2.1 Provides leadership and collaborates with other educators in the school-wide integration of the State Guidance Curriculum Standard Course of Study. 2.2 Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals. Individual Student Planning 2.3 Assists all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic, career and personal/social skills, goals and plans. 2.4 Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data.
2.5 Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and career planning. Preventive and Responsive Services 2.6 Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs. 2.7 Consults and collaborates effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and other educational/community resources regarding students with identified concerns and needs. 2.8 Implements an effective referral and follow-up process. 2.9 Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services. System Support 2.10 Provides appropriate information to staff related to the comprehensive school counseling program. 2.11 Assists teachers, parents/guardians and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding student data. 2.12 Participates in professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills. 2.13 Uses available technology resources to enhance the school counseling program. 2.14 Adheres to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession. 3. MAJOR FUNCTION: ACCOUNTABILITY 3.1 Conducts a yearly program audit to review extent of program implementation. 3.2 Collects and analyzes data to guide program direction and emphasis. 3.3 Measures results of the school counseling program activities and shares results as appropriate. 3.4 Monitors student academic performance, behavior and attendance and assists with appropriate interventions.
Other High School and Miscellaneous Activities 1. Guidance Counselor Duties as described in the statewide job description, particularly with all-day students. 2. Manage application, interview, and enrollment processes with counselors from eight (8) feeder schools. Organize electronic workbook for technical and academic classes. 3. Reporting issues with attendance, grades, discipline, and social/emotional issues. 4. Communicating scheduling information for correct placement in WVEIS. 5. Relaying information (announcements for large groups and messages for individuals) students and home high schools. 6. Schedule and coordinate visits for high school counselors, yearbook photographers, and others as needed. 7. Serve on Local School Improvement Council. 8. Serve as key communicator for JRTI scrolling, PSAs, newspaper articles, outdoor sign. 9. Coordinate information and update sessions for counselors and WVEIS contacts. 10. Organize and attend recruiting activities. 11. Perform other duties as directed by Administration.
Additional Duties: Postsecondary Recruitment: 1. Represent JRTI at various career fairs and events throughout the tristate area. 2. Organize tours of programs and appointments with instructors as requested. 3. Make initial contact (phone or email) with all potential students who have listed JRTI on their FAFSA. Assess interest, answer questions, and document for instructor of class indicated. Share list with postsecondary faculty. 4. Respond to inquiries received via website, Campus Explorer, phone, and visits. Financial Aid: Award WVHEAPS funding to in-state, part-time students who qualify (based on FAFSA). Coordinate with postsecondary secretary regarding amounts awarded and annual reports. Update, distribute, and publicize scholarship applications. Coordinate scholarship committee, notify students of awards (by mail or presents at senior awards assemblies). Organize and attend recruiting activities. Serve as Federal Financial Aid Administrator for all students, including but not limited to: 1. Registration and management of all staff with access to any federal program (postsecondary secretary, placement coordinator, and administrator). Perform required updates to lists and TFA token registrations. 2. Attend necessary trainings and webinars. 3. Import FAFSA information (ISIRS) via EdConnect and EdExpress. Make contact and advise students of any additional steps necessary for eligibility, including verification. Also advise of other potential funding sources as appropriate. 4. Make electronic corrections via FAA Access to CPS online as needed. 5. Determine award amount and print award letter. Notify student and postsecondary secretary. Maintain student folders containing ISIR, Corrections, Fact Sheet, Award letter, and any verification documents. Flag those with existing student loans for NSLDS purposes.
6. Explain payment procedures and outline student responsibilities. 7. Upon enrollment, create Pell originations for all eligible students with USDOE. On appointed date, enter disbursements for all eligible students (coordinate with postsecondary secretary.) 8. Serve as certifying official for students with VA funding. Coordinate with postsecondary secretary. Provide enrollment verification documents as needed for other funding agencies. 9. Enter student data in National Student Loan Data System and update every 60 days. 10. Coordinate dormitory rentals and maintenance. Cooperate with administration regarding inspections and any reported problems. Provide personal contact information in case of evening/weekend issues and respond as needed. 11. Serve as IPEDS key holder for National Center for Education Statistics (required of all schools participating in title IV funding programs). Calculate and report data as follows: Fall: Institutional Characteristics, Completions, 12-Month Enrollment Winter: Student Financial Aid, Graduation Rates, 200% Graduation Rates, Admissions Spring: Fall Enrollment, Finance, Human Resources 12. Perform other duties as directed by Administration.