Counselor - Lead High School in Sunderland

Primary Purpose: Plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive program of guidance to the assigned school, including counseling services. Provide a proactive developmental guidance program to encourage all students to maximize personal growth and development.

Qualifications:

• Education/Certification: Master’s degree or current enrollment in a program leading to a Master’s degree and full counselor certification, or a Valid Texas Counselor certificate.
• Special Knowledge/Skills: Evidence of leadership skills, especially in the area of diverse populations and at-risk students; ability to collaborate with diverse staff and community members; working knowledge of state codes, governing guidance and counseling services; excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; strong computer skills in working with Internet and software programs; strong background in the state high-school diploma requirements.
• Experience: Two years teaching experience and two years of secondary counseling experience.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Role 1: Guidance and Curriculum
  • Create and implement a campus guidance curriculum consistent with WISD’s guidance curriculum; tailored to campus needs.
  • Submit monthly guidance lessons to the Executive Director of Student Support.
  • Appropriately schedule presentations of guidance lessons.
  • Present the guidance units effectively.
  • Consult with staff members regarding guidance material for presentations throughout the campus.
• Role 2: Individual Planning
  • Advise students in personalized educational and career plans for high school and postsecondary.
  • Be knowledgeable in principles of testing and measurement in regards to standardized testing.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of student assessments and records.
  • Apply campus, district, and state policy in determining student placement and scheduling.
  • Review transcripts annually with the Cohort counselor to ensure accuracy based on district schedule.
• Role 3: Responsive Services
  • Maintain an effective referral system for responding to students’ needs.
  • Maintain a communication system that effectively collects and disseminates information about students to other professionals as appropriate.
  • Accurately assess students’ and their families’ needs for referral and make referrals to appropriate agencies and services.
  • Participate actively in the process for referral of students to school/district special services and/or programs.
  • Respond to students individually as needed.
  • Appropriately and effectively provide group counseling as needed.
  • Consult with parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students.
  • Work closely, acting as a liaison, with all stakeholders to identify, track, prevent, recover, or discourage potential dropouts, students who are at risk of failing, or students wishing to maintain and/or accelerate their education toward continuation and completion.
• Role 4: System Support
  • In collaboration with Associate Principal, plan and support summer school program.
  • Assist with coordination of TSI, AP, credit by exam, and administer college placement exams.
  • Pursue continuous professional growth and development for the counseling team.
  • Maintain professional records.
  • Participate in and/or provide programming for enhancing the school climate.
• Role 5: Professionalism
  • Create an environment in which confidence, understanding, and respect result in healthy relationships.
  • Adhere to the ethical standards of the Texas and American School Counselor Association.
  • Actively participate in appropriate in-service activities as well as faculty, district, and service center meetings.
  • Observe relevant legal standards.
  • Respectfully communicate and problem-solve with students and staff.
  • Exhibit technological skills.
  • Follow school policies, e.g., completing daily time requirements, dressing professionally, attending meetings, etc.
  • Establish and maintain a professional relationship with all colleagues, students, parents, and community services/contacts.
  • Maintain membership in appropriate organizations.
  • Positively support campus and/or district-wide initiatives.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
• Role 6: Leadership
  • Review all Senior Cohort transcripts before graduation for accuracy and coordinate with Director of Account Systems for completeness.
  • Develop or modify work plans and determine work priorities based on district and campus data.
  • Collaborate and serve as a campus liaison to the Office of Secondary Education and cohort counselor.
  • Collaborate with the campus registrar on finalizing and sending transcripts to colleges.
  • Report situations that may be the cause for disciplinary action and provide this information to supervisors.
  • Resolve problems encountered during daily operations and determine appropriate solutions.
  • Assist with the creation of the yearly Master Schedule and coordinate the resolution of all course conflicts.
  • Attend all Cohort meetings with the Cohort counselor and Leadership.
  • Collaborate with CTE Dean, middle schools, and create a four-year plan.
  • Ensure the course requests are complete for the following year.
  • Attend Attendance Appeal Committee.
  • Coordinate with the principal on referrals for Brazos placement.
  • Assist with all testing including STAAR EOC, TSI, ACT, and SAT.

Working Conditions: Maintain emotional control under stress. Use of computers and related technology. High pressure, fast pace, multiple deadlines, people-intensive, frequent public contact. Extensive non-duty days may not be taken in the summer weeks when other counselors are off duty.