School Counselor

JOB TITLE: SCHOOL COUNSELOR

REPORTS TO: Principal

SUPERVISES: Students

NATURE AND SCOPE OF JOB:
To help students achieve personal fulfillment by providing them with guidance and counseling services to make
successful personal educational and occupational life plans.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The School Counselor shall:
1. Hold or be eligible for a New Jersey instructional certificate in accordance with the requirements of
N.J.S.A. 18A:27.1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. Title 6 Chapter 11 with appropriate subject area endorsement(s)
for the position held (N.J.A.C. 6:116.1 6.2 or 8.1 et seq.).
2. Have broad knowledge of testing and evaluation theories of individual and group guidance
techniques elementary/secondary school guidance program design and career educational
information and placement.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child growth and development effective instructional
strategies classroom management learning assessment and diagnosis and research related to
learning.
4. Demonstrate the ability to use current district technological platforms Google Education Suite data
management platforms visual and audio presentations and telecommunications.
5. Demonstrate the ability to use electronic equipment for word processing data management
information retrieval visual and audio presentations and telecommunications.
6. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing using proper
grammar and vocabulary.
7. Provide proof of U. S. citizenship or legal resident alien status by completing Federal Form I9 in
compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
8. Provide evidence that a criminal record history check has been conducted and clearance has been
given by the Department of Education or during the initial six month period provide a sworn
statement that there have not been any convictions of a crime or a disorderly persons offense in
accordance with 18A:67.1.
9. Provide information that includes current/former employers within the last twenty (20) years in which
the employment involved direct contact with children ; a written authorization that consents to
current and former employers disclosing certain information; and a written statement as to whether
the applicant has any employment history regarding child abuse and/or sexual misconduct in
accordance with N.J.S.A.18A:67.6.
10. Provide evidence that health is adequate to fulfill the job functions and responsibilities with
reasonable accommodation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 12101 and in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6:34A.4.
11. Pass the State required Mantoux Intradermal Tuberculin Test as required by N.J.A.C. 6:34A.4.

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12. Meet such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and
acceptable.

VERIFICATION OF COMPETENCY:
1. District Application resume and references.
2. Required documentation outlined in the qualifications above.
3. A minimum of three letters of reference from former employers teachers professors or other
professional sources or copies of recent evaluations and observations of teaching performance.
4. Applicable transcripts.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS:
The School Counselor shall be employed under the following terms:
1. Work year of ten months.
2. Salary or hourly wage benefits and leave time as specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
3. Conditions established by all laws and codes of the State and all policies rules and regulations
established by the Board of Education (N.J.S.A. 18A:274 et seq.).

JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The School Counselor shall:
1. Assist students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the use of teacher comments
interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data. Works with students in
evolving educational and career plans in terms of such evaluation.
2. Provide information and prepare recommendations to colleges for admissions and scholarships as well
as to potential employers and other agencies.
3. Maintain a close relationship with the child study team following directives and recommendations as
needed.
4. Register students new to the school provides orientation and information relative to school
procedures curriculum and extracurricular opportunities.
5. Arrange for summer work and/or enrollment in summer school programs to make up noted
deficiencies.
6. Provide for a smooth transition from elementary school to high school/middle school which may
include orientation programs for students and parents.
7. Work closely with and involve parents in planning students career plans and assists in the resolution
of schoolrelated problems.
8. Assist in the organization and administration of standardized test programs. Provides timely notice and
information to students and parents of opportunities to take SAT ACT and AP exams.
9. Work to prevent students from dropping out of school and assists those that do in finding alternative
educational programs and/or employment.
10. Maintais a professional office environment.
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11. Assist when a coworker is unavailable whenever possible provide interim assistance to students or
parents with urgent needs.
12. Maintain student records and ensure their confidentiality.
13. Work closely with teachers administrators and other professional staff members providing
information and assistance where needed for the ultimate benefit of students.
14. Gather information on colleges and careers. Keeps this information accessible to students and parents
in an organized arrangement.
15. Deal with confusion and emergencies in a friendly supportive calm manner. Assists agitated or
confused students in recomposing themselves during situations where the student has a problem or
personal setback.
16. Notify students of upcoming opportunities to meet with college recruiters job fairs and outside career
counselors.
17. Assist in the evaluation of current curriculum offerings and in the planning selection and
implementation of new course offerings.
18. Participate in followup studies of former students for the purpose of improving services and
evaluating the effectiveness of the educational program being offered by the school.
19. Uses the internet to gather current information about colleges and career programs. Compares online
and published information with firsthand accounts from returning graduates in order to gain a full
current picture of the actual situation rather than relying on outdated impressions.
20. Retain essential information for parents and students such as college graduation rates.
21. Share research and findings with colleagues and students in order to improve counseling services.
22. Maintain professional competence and continuous improvement through inservice education and
other professional growth activities.
23. Participate in inservice training as assigned.
24. Protect confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional duties and
use discretion in sharing such information within legal confines.
any duties that are within the scope of employment and certifications as assigned by the
Principal or assigned supervisor and not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.
26. Adhere to New Jersey school law State Board of Education rules and regulations Board of Education
policies and regulations school regulations and procedures and contractual obligations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable
accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and
functions of the job. Unless reasonable accommodations can be made while performing this job the staff member
shall:
1. Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
2. Sit stand and walk for required periods of time. .
3. Use close vision color vision peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus
vision.

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4. Communicate effectively in English using proper grammar and vocabulary. American Sign Language or
Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
5. Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools computers
and/or controls.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
The environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive.
1. Exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses.
2. Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions.
3. Exposure to heated/air conditioned and ventilated and nonair conditioned facilities.
4. Exposure to a building in which a variety of chemical substances are used for cleaning instruction
and/or operation of equipment.
5. Function in a workplace that is usually moderately quiet but that can be noisy at times.

EVALUATION:
The Principal and assigned supervisor shall evaluate the School Counselor in accordance with Policy No. 3221 or
3222 Regulation No. 3221 or 3222 this Job Description and such other criteria as shall be established by the Board
of Education.