Elementary Counselor

Job Title: Counselor

Exemption Status/Test: Exempt/Professional

Reports to: Principal

Date Revised: 8/2023

Dept./School: Keene Elementary /SLA

Contract Days: 207

Primary Purpose:

Plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive developmental guidance counseling program at the assigned campus. Counsel students to fully develop each student's academic, career, personal, and social abilities and address the needs of special population students.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Master's degree in counseling from an accredited college or university

Valid Texas school counselor certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of counseling procedures, 504, and dyslexia.

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Ability to support students and manage their behavior

Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents, and district staff

Experience:

Two years creditable experience as a classroom teacher

School counseling experience preferred

Leadership Skills:

An expert listener

A risk taker

A capacity builder

Actively supports learning that comes from failure

Able to inspire and connect others

Ability to adjust and be flexible to a multitude of situations in the school environment

Models empathy

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Guidance

• Plan and conduct structured group lessons to deliver the campus guidance curriculum effectively and in accordance with students developmental needs. Collaborate with teachers who teach guidance-related curriculum.
• Use accepted theories and effective techniques of developmental guidance to counsel individual students, small groups of students, and parents to plan, monitor, and manage a student's own personal and social development. Provide preventive, remedial, and crisis counseling needed.
• Serve as an impartial, non-reporting resource for interpersonal conflicts and discourse involving two or more students, including accusations of bullying.

Consultation

• Coordinate school, and community resources and refer students, parents, and others to special programs and services as needed.

State and Local Assessments

• Coordinate in conjunction with campus administrators and district testing coordinator.

Programs

• Facilitate 504 plans.
• Coordinate dyslexia services in conjunction with administrators and campus dyslexia teacher.

Program Management and Administration

• Plan, implement, evaluate, and promote continuous improvement of a balanced comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program that includes guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning, and system support components.
• Advocate for a school environment that acknowledges and respects diversity.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and board policy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
• Adhere to legal, ethical, and professional standards for school counselors including current professional standards of competence and practice.

Other

• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment.

Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, kneeling/ squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.

Motion: Frequent walking

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); occasional physical restraint of students to control behavior.

Environment: Work inside, may work outside.

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.