SCHOOL COUNSELOR
STUDENT SERVICES
JOB DESCRIPTION
REPORTS TO: Principal
PURPOSE: Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, school counselors promote
student success, provide preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by
implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career, and
personal/social development for all students.
The major functions of the school counselor job description incorporate the North Carolina
State Board of Education's guiding mission that every public school student will graduate from
high school globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in
the twenty-first century.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
MAJOR FUNCTION:
1.DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM
1.1 Discusses the comprehensive school counseling program
with the school administrator.
1.2 Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school
counseling program based on the NC Comprehensive School Counseling
Standard Course of Study and current individual school data.
1.3 Communicates the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to
education stakeholders (i.e., administrators, teachers, students, parents, and
community/business leaders).
1.4 Maintains current and appropriate resources for education stakeholders.
1.5 Uses the majority of time providing direct services through the Guidance
Curriculum, Individual Student Planning and Preventive and Responsive Services,
and most remaining time in program management, system support, and
accountability.
1.6 Uses data to develop comprehensive programs that meet student needs.
2.MAJOR FUNCTION: DELIVERY OF A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM
Guidance Curriculum
2.1 Provides leadership and collaborates with other educators in the school-wide
integration of the State Guidance Curriculum Standard Course of Study.
2.2 Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group
activities to meet student needs and school goals.
2.3 Incorporates into their programs the life skills that students need to be
successful in the twenty-first century.
Individual Student Planning
2.4 Assists all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic, career
and personal/social skills, goals, and plans.
2.5 Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data.
2.6 Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with
educational, career, and life planning.
Preventive and Responsive Services
2.7 Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns
and needs.
2.8 Consults and collaborates effectively with parents/guardians, teachers,
administrators, and other educational/community resources regarding students
with identified concerns and needs.
2.9 Implements an effective referral and follow-up process as needed.
2.10 Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and
structuring individual and group counseling services.
System Support
2.11 Provides appropriate information to school personnel related to the
comprehensive school counseling program.
2.12 Assists teachers, parents/guardians, and other stakeholders in interpreting and
understanding student data.
2.13 Participates in professional development activities to improve knowledge and
skills.
2.14 Uses available technology resources to enhance the school counseling program.
2.15 Adheres to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school
counseling profession.
3.1 Conducts a yearly program audit to review extent of program implementation and
effectiveness.
3.2 Collects and analyzes data to guide program direction and emphasis.
3.3 Measures results of the comprehensive school counseling program activities and
shares results as appropriate with relevant stakeholders.
3.4 Monitors student academic performance, behavior, and attendance and
facilitates appropriate interventions.
References
American School Counselor Association (2005). The ASCA national model: A framework for
school counseling programs (2nd ed). Alexandria, VA: Author.
Schmidt, J.J. (2003). Counseling in schools: Essential services and comprehensive
programs (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.