School Counselor - 3101

Exhibit 35

PASSAIC BOARD OF EDUCATION

Passaic, New Jersey

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: School Counselor

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A master's degree, or higher.
• Hold a valid New Jersey educational services certificate in accordance with the requirements of the New Jersey statutes and regulations; or the appropriate endorsements(s) in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey statutes and regulations.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the components of a comprehensive developmental guidance program, child growth and development, strategies for effective career and educational planning, learning assessment and diagnosis, research related to learning and the resources available in the school and community to assist students.
• Demonstrate management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent collaboration, organization, and outreach skills.
• Required criminal history background check and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status.

REPORTS TO: Principal, Assistant Principal, Supervisor, or other certificated administrative or supervisory personnel

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish and promote high standards and expectations for all students and staff for excellent academic performance.
• Counsel individual students to resolve educational, personal, emotional, and social needs and other areas of concern identified by the counselor, student, parents, teachers, administrators, child study team members, or others associated with the student.
• Provide counseling services, including crisis intervention, to students experiencing difficulty with student growth and performance, referring students to other resources and agencies as needed.
• Work closely with teachers, administrators and other professional staff members, providing information and assistance where needed for the ultimate benefit of students.
• Maintain a close relationship with the Child Study Team.
• Assist with the preparation and monitoring of Individualized Education Plans for selected students.
• Maintain a confidential log of all counseling sessions.
• Assist in the organization and administration of standardized test programs.
• Assist in the evaluation of current curriculum offerings and in the planning, selection and implementation of new course offerings.
• Register new students and enroll them in courses to meet promotional and/or graduation requirements and to meet the student needs and interests.
• Interview students new to the school, provide orientation and information relative to school procedures, curriculum, and extra-curricular opportunities.
• Participate in follow-up studies of former students for the purpose of improving services and evaluating the effectiveness of the educational program being offered by the school.
• Conduct conferences with students, parents, teachers, or administrators to help all to understand and assist students in achieving success in the school and in positive personal growth.
• Assist with approved research and follow-up studies related to student achievement, effectiveness of curriculum, student attitudes and perceptions, parent and community perceptions, status of graduates, and other information useful to the school to assess the overall program effectiveness for students.
• Notify immediately appropriate personnel and other required agencies of evidence of substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, severe medical or social conditions, potential suicide or individuals appearing to be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or anabolic steroids.
• Coordinate school and community resources when needed to assist a student and parents, working closely with other school personnel, including the administration, nurse, social worker, learning disabilities teacher consultant, attendance officer, and others.
• Participate in staff meetings, administrator meetings, and committee meetings.
• Report on the status of district programs and services.
• Middle and High School Guidance Counselor duties will include:
• Develop with the student and then monitor a sequential educational plan of high school studies and experiences leading to a high school diploma and demonstrated proficiency in the curriculum standards, consistent with post-high school plans and the needs, interests, and skill levels of the student. The plan shall include parent approval and the student accepting responsibility for learning and successful performance.
• Develop with the student post-high school plans. Assist students with developing a student portfolio, including a resume, employment and college applications, transcript, attendance records, extra-curricular records, accomplishments, recommendations from school personnel, letters of reference, and other information that the student can use to demonstrate competency when applying for employment and/or future educational endeavors.
• Organize and disseminate career, employment, and college opportunities, scholarship, financial aid, and other information about resources available to students and parents.
• Assist students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the use of teacher comments, interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data. Work with students in evolving educational and career plans in terms of such evaluation.
• Provide information and prepare recommendations to colleges for admissions and scholarships, as well as to potential employees and other agencies.
• Work closely with, and involve parents in planning students' career plans, and assist in the resolution of school-related problem Work to prevent students from dropping out of school, and assist those that do in finding alternative educational programs and/or employment.
• Arrange for summer work and/or enrollment in summer school programs to make up noted deficiencies.
• Provide for a smooth transition from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school, which may include orientation programs for students and parents.
• Assist students with finding employment after school that supports their educational perform
• Monitor student absences and lateness, and contact parents to ensure regular attendance.
• Make arrangements for assignments to be sent home for students who are to be absent for long periods of time, including home instruction for students on extended absences.
• Ensure that the materials and distribution meet affirmative action mandates and are free of stereotyping.
• Maintain copies of all necessary records and forms related to supervised programs and services.
• Prepare district, state, and federal reports as required.
• Keep the staff informed and seek ideas for the improvement of the district. Conduct meetings as necessary for the proper functioning of the district.
• Maintain visibility with students, staff, parents, and the community, attending school functions regularly to demonstrate a genuine interest in the students and staff.
• Maintain effective communications with agencies and resources outside of the district, representing the district at community, state, and professional meetings.
• Continue to grow professionally through collaboration with colleagues and professional growth experiences. Summarize, interpret, and disseminate current developments in the guidance and counseling field, through reading of professional journals, participation in professional development, and involvement in professional organizations.
• Protect confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional duties and use discretion in sharing such information within legal confines.
• Follow the ethical standards for school counselors set forth by the American School Counselor Association.
• Observe strictly and exceed, to avoid the appearance of conflict, all requirements of the School Ethics Act and board policy on vendor relations regarding conflicts of interest in employment, purchasing, and other decisions, including solicitation and acceptance of gifts and favors. Submit in a timely fashion the required annual disclosure statement regarding employment and financial interests, if applicable.
• Adhere to New Jersey school law, State Board of Education rules and regulations, Board of Education policies and regulations, and contractual obligations.
• Perform all other duties as required by law, code, or Board policy.
• Perform such other tasks and assume such other responsibilities as the Superintendent or his designee may assign from time to time and not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Ten (10) months, Eleven (11) months, or Twelve (12) months.
• Contract terms, salary, and benefits as established by the collective bargaining agreement.
• Conditions established by laws and codes of New Jersey; and policies, rules, and regulations established by the Passaic Board of Education.
• Tenurable.

EVALUATION: Evaluated by a Principal, Assistant Principal, Supervisor, or other certificated administrative or supervisory personnel.

APPROVED: December 21, 2015