Guidance Counselor

Teaching Certificate Required: Master's Degree in School Counseling

Previous Experience Required: Previous experience working as a school counselor, preferably at the middle school level.

General Description of Position Duties:

• Counseling and Support:

Provide individual and group counseling sessions to address academic, social, emotional, and behavioral issues.

Develop and implement interventions to support student success and well-being.

Assist students in developing coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and conflict resolution techniques.

• Academic Advising:

Help students set academic goals and develop plans to achieve them.

Monitor student progress and provide guidance on course selection and scheduling.

Work with teachers to identify students in need of academic support and create intervention plans.

• 504 Plan Coordination:

Evaluate students for eligibility for 504 plans and conduct assessments.

Develop, implement, and monitor 504 plans to ensure students receive appropriate accommodations.

Conduct regular reviews and updates of 504 plans in collaboration with students, parents, and teachers.

Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding 504 plans.

• Collaboration and Consultation:

Serve as a liaison between students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

Facilitate communication and collaboration among all stakeholders to support student development.

Conduct parent-teacher meetings and participate in team meetings to discuss student progress and concerns.

• Crisis Intervention:

Provide immediate support and intervention in crisis situations.

Develop and implement crisis management plans and procedures.

Refer students and families to external support services and resources as needed.

• Program Development and Implementation:

Design and deliver school-wide programs and initiatives that promote a positive school climate and address common student issues.

Conduct workshops and presentations on topics such as bullying prevention, mental health awareness, and academic skills.

Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs and make necessary adjustments.

• Professional Development:

Stay current with best practices in school counseling and changes in educational policy.

Participate in professional development opportunities and attend relevant conferences and workshops.

Maintain professional licensure and certification as required.

Special Skills, Training or Aptitudes Required or Desired: The Middle School Guidance Counselor provides comprehensive counseling services to students in grades 6-8. The role involves supporting students' academic, social, emotional, and personal development. The counselor works collaboratively with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to create a supportive and effective learning environment. Additionally, the counselor is responsible for overseeing and managing 504 plans, ensuring that all students receive the accommodations they need to succeed.

Physical and Mental Efforts:

• This position requires a high level of physical and mental endurance.

• Sitting in an office/classroom environment, performing tasks on a computer or other technical devices.

• Frequent standing, particularly for sustained periods of time.

• Frequent walking, moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one part of the building to another.

• Constantly talking, expressing, or exchanging ideas to colleagues and/or students accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Ability to hear and listen to detailed information through oral communication.

• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and distance vision.

• Ability to handle and balance multiple demands at the same time.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Business / Employee Benefits (leb.k12.in.us)