High School Counselor

Primary Purpose:

Work with school faculty and staff students parents and community to plan implement and evaluate a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program at school assigned. Counsel students to fully develop each students academic career personal and social abilities and address the needs of special populations. Facilitate a successful transition of high school students to college or the workforce.

Education / Certification:

1. Masters degree in guidance counseling.
2. Valid Texas counseling certificate. (LPC)

Special Knowledge / Skills:

1. Knowledge of counseling procedures student appraisal and career development.
2. Excellent organizational communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior.

Experience / Other Requirements:

1. Three years teaching experience.
2. Personal cell phone is required to handle district related business including after hours or when away from the office on district business.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Guidance

1. Teach developmental guidance curriculum consistent with districts plan and tailored to campus needs.
2. Implement college readiness programs to prepare underachieving students for college.
3. Implement programs that encourage students towards advanced academic opportunities.
4. Implement programs that align the curriculum for grades 6 through 12 with postsecondary curriculum.
5. Implement high school completion and success initiatives in grades 6 through 12 as approved by the commissioner.
6. Assist teachers with guidance-related curriculum.
7. Create individualized graduation and postsecondary plans.
8. Schedule frequent conferences with each student individually (regardless of academic level) to monitor future plans.
9. Lead group sessions and parent nights on college-related issues such as writing essays getting recommendations preparing for tests applying for financial aid and planning for careers.
10. Hold a majors and career day presenting different areas of study career paths and employment forecasts for graduates.
11. Host a college fair with representatives from a variety of educational institutions: local community colleges technical schools large public universities and smaller private liberal arts colleges.

Counseling

1. Counsel individual students and small groups with presenting needs and concerns.
2. Respond to individual student and staff concerns.

Consultation

1. Consult parents teachers administrators and other relevant people to enhance their work with students.
2. Work with school and community personnel to bring together resources for students.
3. Maintain a communication system that effectively collects and disseminates information to other professionals as appropriate.
4. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with other school professionals and representatives of community resources.
5. Use an effective referral process to assist students and others to use special programs and services (i.e. GIST GT ESL etc.).
6. Facilitate ARDs 504 meetings and LPAC Committee meetings as designated by the campus Principal.
7. Complete a Professional Graduation Plan (PGP) for each student who does not meet minimum expectations on the STARR test and develop a plan of intervention with the student and parent to be included in the PGP.

Assessment

1. Participate in the planning and evaluation of the campus standardized testing program including but not limited to STARR TELPAS PSAT SAT District Curriculum-Based Assessments (CBA) etc.).
2. Interpret tests and other appraisal results appropriately and communicate to school personnel students and parents.
3. Maintain the confidentiality of student assessment.

Program Management

1. Plan school guidance and counseling programs to ensure they meet identified needs priorities and program objectives.
2. Support underachieving students through success in college preparatory classes.
3. Educate the school staff parents and community about the guidance program through a public information program.
4. Compile maintain and file all required physical and computerized reports records and other documents (i.e. progress reports failure notices awards recognitions cumulative folders etc.).

Administration

1. Oversee the Master schedule as designated by the Campus Principal.
2. Perform administrative tasks relative to course selections schedule changes and registration.
3. Comply with policies established by federal and state law State Board of Education rule and board policy in guidance and counseling area.
4. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
5. Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.
6. Communicate effectively with colleagues students and parents.

Professional

1. Adhere to ethical and legal standards and model behavior that is professional and responsible.
2. Participate in professional development to improve skills related to job assignment.
3. Responsible for properly maintaining district records adhering to all policies set forth by the district for records maintenance and learning the records retention schedule for department records.
4. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise assigned counseling aide(s) and clerical employee(s).