School Counselor

UPPER ARLINGTON CITY SCHOOLS

Location:Hastings Middle School

Position: Middle School Counselor

Reports to: Building Principal and Superintendent's Designee

Employment Status: Regular/Full-time

Licensure: School Counselor

FLSA Status: Exempt

Description: The role of the professional school counselor is to maximize the success of all students using a data informed comprehensive school counseling program which addresses the academic, social/emotional, and college/career development domains. The professional school counselor collaborates with teachers, support staff,administrators, and community stakeholders to meet the needs of their students through prevention and intervention. As a leader, they advocate for systemic change to ensure a safe and equitable learning environment to safeguard the rights of all members of the school community. School counselors uphold the ethics and standards as described by the professional counseling associations.

NOTE: The below lists are not ranked in order of importance

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in School Counseling from a four-year college or university
• Appropriate State of Ohio certifications/license
• One or two years related experience preferred
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as Superintendent and/or Board of Education may find appropriate

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effective counseling and teaching techniques
• Knowledge of course offerings including college and career pathways
• Knowledge of school counseling curriculum and understanding of the ASCA Model
• Able to meet the needs of various populations of students
• Cultural awareness and competence and social justice
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing
• Effective, active listening skills
• Organizational and problem solving skills
• Test interpretation knowledge and skills
• Support an environment that promotes student safety
• Effectively use technology to deliver services and meet student needs
• Knowledge of behavior modification strategies, understanding of school as an institution, system and how students go through the system

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Classroom School Counseling Curriculum: Counselors create, teach, and evaluate developmentally appropriate curriculum which reflects the following areas: academic, social/emotional, and college/career development.
• Group Activities: School counselors conduct planned small groups outside the classroom to respond to students' identified needs or interests.
• Individual Counseling: As determined by student need, school counselors advise students using personal/social, academic, and college/career information in planning and support.
• Additional Support Services: As advocates for all students, school counselors consult and collaborate with parents/guardians, colleagues, and community stakeholders to help students, families and, when necessary, to refer to outside support agencies. Through the advisory council, school counselors communicate information to stakeholders and gain feedback to best serve the school community.
• Professional and Personal Development.. School counselors follow best practices to improve professional skills and uphold the ethics and standards as described by the professional counseling associations.
• Other duties as collaboratively developed with the Superintendent or his/her designee, and in alignment with the ASCA National Model.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a role model for students
• Respond to routine questions and requests in a timely, appropriate manner
• Supervise field placement, practicum and intern school counselors
• Understanding and willingness to become knowledgeable in current trends that impact students
• Adhere to the Professional Standards for Educators
• Support course selection, scheduling, and academic planning
• Assist in providing professional learning that supports students' academic achievement, social and emotional learning, and educational and college/career planning
• Support the transition of new students/families

Equipment Operated:

• Computer
• Printer
• Telephone system
• Calculator
• Locked file cabinets
• TV/DVD player
• Copy machine

Additional Working Conditions:

• Occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and tissue
• Occasional travel, e.g., attending workshop outside of district
• Occasional interaction with unruly students
• Occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull various items up to a maximum of 25 pounds, e.g., paper boxes, deliveries of supplies and equipment
• Frequently move and position self as necessary to access and operate equipment
• Frequently move around workspace and travel throughout school building and/or school district

Employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance use in the workplace throughout his/her employment with the District.

This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the incumbent. The incumbent will be required to follow the instructions and perform the duties required by the incumbent's supervisor and or appointing authority.

The Upper Arlington City School District Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race,color, national origin, sex, including sexual orientation and transgender identity, disability, age, religion,military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.