Guidance Counselor

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

SUMMARY OF POSITION
Under the direction of the site administration, the Professional School Counselor facilitates and coordinates the district’s Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Plan, maximizing our student’s potential in the three content areas of academic, career, and personal/social development. Through their work with students, the Professional School Counselor guides students toward gaining knowledge and skills in order to become productive citizens; create a school environment favorable to learning and personal growth, establish effective rapport with students; motivate students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge; establish positive relationships with parents and with other school and district staff members.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
GUIDANCE CURRICULUM – The professional school counselor implements the Guidance Curriculum Component through the use of effective instructional skills and the careful planning of structured group sessions for all students.

• The professional school counselor teaches guidance units effectively.
• The professional school counselor encourages staff involvement to ensure the effective implementation of the guidance curriculum.

INDIVIDUAL PLANNING – The professional school counselor implements the Individual Planning Component by guiding individuals and groups of students and their parents through the development of educational and career plans.

• The professional school counselor, in collaboration with parents, helps students establish goals and develop and use planning skills.
• The professional school counselor demonstrates accurate and appropriate interpretation of assessment data and the presentation of relevant, unbiased information.
• The professional school counselor implements and provides academic and career counseling.

RESPONSIVE SERVICES – The professional school counselor implements the Responsive Services Component through the effective use of individual and small group counseling, consultation, and referral skills.

• The professional school counselor counsels individual students and small groups of students with identified needs/concerns.

• The professional school counselor consults effectively with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals.

• The professional school counselor implements an effective referral process in collaboration with parents, administrators, teachers, and other school personnel.

• The professional school counselor is responsible for developing and tracking, in collaboration with parents and school staff, appropriate 504 plans as necessary.

SYSTEM SUPPORT – The professional school counselor implements the System Support Component through effective guidance program management and support for other educational programs.

• The professional school counselor provides a comprehensive and balanced guidance program in collaboration with school staff.
  
• The professional school counselor provides support for other school programs.
  
• The professional school counselor demonstrates positive interpersonal relations with students.
  
• The professional school counselor demonstrates positive interpersonal relations with educational staff.
  
• The professional school counselor demonstrates positive interpersonal relations with parents/patrons.
  
• The professional school counselor demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional growth.
  
• The professional school counselor possesses professional and responsible work habits.
  
• The professional school counselor follows the profession’s ethical and legal standards and guidelines, as well as promotes cultural diversity and inclusivity in school policy and interpersonal relationships.

While the professional school counselor may perform other counseling duties as assigned by the principal, the priority is implementing and coordinating the program in the above listed areas. At times, the responsibility for implementing guidance and counseling activities will be shared among the school counselor, teachers, administrators, and classified personnel at each site.
NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform related duties as assigned.
WORK CONTACTS
Frequent contact with students, parents, school staff, and other District personnel.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices for effective school counseling techniques and strategies; of applicable laws, policies and regulations; of the principles and practices for effective student learning techniques; of lesson planning; of available instructional media; of modern techniques for classroom assessment; of effective interpersonal communication; and stages of child development.
SKILL TO
Skill to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices, operating equipment used in a school setting, including a computer; planning and managing projects; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and using pertinent software applications.
ABILITY TO

• Develop lessons, units and projects consistent with Guidance Curriculum and District curriculum goals and objectives.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and parents.
• Effectively supervise students; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; work independently and meet deadlines.
• Model good instructional, coaching and mentoring practices.
• Maintain accurate, complete and correct records as required by law.
• Operate or learn to operate a microcomputer and related technologies and software.
• Communicate enthusiasm, excitement and a strong feeling of commitment to the education profession.
• Schedule activities, meetings, and/or events.
• Gather, collate, and/or classify data.
• Analyze data utilizing defined but different processes.
• Work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; exercise confidentiality, tact, diplomacy, and independent judgment in the performance of duties.
• Follow established policies and procedures; remain open to others’ ideas and contribute to building a positive team spirit.
• Multi-task and successfully work with students, staff and public.
• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concreate variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Clearly, accurately, and appropriately communicate with students, teachers, parents and members of the community.
• Exercise good judgement while working in a dynamic environment.
• Appropriately handle stress and interact with others.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Work is performed under the direction of the site principal or a designated vice-principal, who will at least annually evaluate the classroom teacher’s performance. Work is evaluated through observations and results achieved.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
None
CONDITIONS OF WORK Work is performed under the following conditions:
Exposure to climate controlled office settings to outside weather with temperatures ranging from mild/moderate to extreme cold/heat.May involve exposure to noise levels ranging from moderate to very loud and occasional to frequent time periods.May involve work in crowded environments.
Hazards:
Office/Classroom furniture, playground/office equipment, communicable diseases, chemicals (as related to specific assignment), and power/hand operated equipment and machinery (as related to specific assignment).
SAFETY SENSITIVE:

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university is required, with major course work in academic education and/or counseling or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
Counseling endorsement issued by the State of Nevada is required. Possession or ability to obtain a valid Nevada driver’s license is required.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL/INTELLECTUAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical and mental/intellectual requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Those requirements include:

• Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use keyboard and video display terminal for prolonged periods.
• Strength and stamina to bend, stoop, sit, and stand for long periods of time.Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; occasional lifting of files, stacks of paper or reports, references, student work, and other materials.Some reaching for items above and below waist and head level. Some reaching, bending, squatting, and stooping to access files, student work, and other items as necessary.The manual dexterity and cognitive ability to operate a personal computer and other educational technology (LCD projector, SmartBoard, iPads/Tablets, etc.) to enhance student learning.Involves hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.Sedentary to heavy exertion of force involving 50-80 pounds daily and repetitively.
• In compliance with applicable disability laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations.Applicants and incumbents are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

EMPLOYEE PUNCTUALITY AND APPEARANCE
In order for DCSD schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave. Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator. All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of DCSD and is appropriate for their position.
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Douglas County School District does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, creed/religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, age, veterans or military status, or political affiliation in admission to or access to, treatment or employment, or participation in its programs and activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups, pursuant to federal and state laws including, but not limited to, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), and the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. The Douglas County School District is an equal opportunity employer and will not knowingly discriminate in any area of employment, which includes recruiting and hiring practices, working conditions, training, promotion, and terms and conditions of employment. Individuals with a disability who require reasonable accommodation(s) during any step of the screening process or who have questions about qualifications should notify a representative in Human Resources. Notification may be made in person, in writing, or by calling (775) 782-7177.
The Superintendent of Douglas County School District has designated the following position to handle inquiries regarding student and employee non-discrimination policies:
Executive Director of Human Resources
1638 Mono Avenue
Minden, Nevada 89423
Phone: (775) 782-7177