High School Guidance Counselor

Salary depending on education and experience. Range: 65,000 to 80,000/year

The Guidance Counselor-provides and delivers a comprehensive guidance program for students in their assigned grades. The Guidance Counselor provides individual and group counseling and consults with teachers, staff, and parents to enhance their effectiveness in helping students successfully deal with behavioral, social, and emotional issues, achieve academic success, and plan for future careers and education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implements the assigned guidance program;
• Conducts and/or assists in planning and facilitating guidance learning activities in the classroom;
• Guides and counsels students individually and in small groups through the development of social, educational and career plans;
• Aids students in course selection;
• Provides and participates in orientation activities for students new to the school;
• Assists students in evaluating their current status and requirements needed for high school graduation;
• Discusses and acquaints students with college admission programs and assists with college application process, including the financial aid application process, scholarship applications, creating a resume
• Provides information regarding career choices and helps students evaluate their career interests and choices;
• Counsels students individually and in small groups to help them understand, overcome, and resolve academic, behavioral, social, and emotional concerns;
• Counsels families of students experiencing chronic academic, behavioral, social, and emotional problems; suggests referrals to appropriate district resources and/or appropriate community resources;
• Collects, organizes, and analyzes information about students through records, testing, interviews, and professional sources to appraise their interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personality characteristics for educational and career planning;
• Consults with teachers, staff, parents, and mental health professionals regarding meeting the development needs of students;
• Provides guidance to teachers and staff in dealing with students with academic, behavioral, social, or emotional problems;
• Assists teachers in identifying students with special needs and special abilities;
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with various parent support groups, and governmental and community family service agencies; involves these groups in assessment, interventions, and program procedures; develops a network of social referral resources;
• Participates with teams in establishing and planning respective roles in modifying a student’s behavior, developing individualized student behavior management plans, and making recommendations; provides feedback to team members and parents;
• Participates in, coordinates, or conducts activities which contribute to the effective operation of the school;
• Interprets group test results to faculty and staff; participates in the implementation of testing program;
• Maintains current knowledge of state and federal legislation related to education, latest developments in education reform, and challenges facing students, including special education and Section 504;
• Enhances personal knowledge through participation in case conferences, professional growth activities, professional organizations, and meetings; may serve on related committees;
• Maintains appropriate reports and records on each assigned student ensuring each student’s confidentiality is protected; provides specific reports according to procedures or as assigned;
• Reviews, evaluates, and revises the school guidance program; periodically reviews the program with staff and administration using evaluation self-study; reviews and modifies the guidance program calendar; evaluates guidance learning activities;
• Develops and maintains relationships with colleges and universities to schedule on and off-site visits and invites their representatives to visit the school;
• Organizes field trips to local colleges and universities;
• Meets expectations of regular, reliable attendance;
• Other Duties As Needed: Any other duties and tasks as deemed necessary and appropriate.

Education:

• Master’s degree with a major in counseling, a practicum of 450 hours in an educational setting;
• Prior counseling experience is desired or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work (3 years’ prior experience preferred);
• Must maintain all licenses and certifications as a condition of continued employment;
• Passing score on Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Skills Test

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of childhood social, emotional, physical, and academic development;
• Knowledge of Section 504 and other state and federal regulations regarding the identification and placement of students in special education;
• Knowledge of community support resources and family service agencies;
• Knowledge of post high school training opportunities, career information, and resources; 
• Ability to obtain, clarify, and exchange information;
• Ability to evaluate transcripts and credits;
• Ability to assess guidance program needs and implement the high school guidance program;
• Ability to lead and facilitate individual and group activities based upon brief psycho-educational models;
• Ability to act as a liaison with community family service agencies and other support resources;
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality;
• Ability to demonstrate reasonable reliable and regular attendance;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multicultural, diverse socio-economic setting;
• Ability to produce results independently and participate as part of a team;
• Good command of the English language, oral and written.