In collaboration with the school’s teachers and administration, the School Counselor advises and counsels students and provides educational services. The Counselor also provides crisis intervention services as needed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.
- Other duties may be assigned.
- Supports the mental health of students individually and/or in small group counseling sessions to help them understand and overcome personal, emotional, social or behavioral challenges.
- Knowledge of best developmentally appropriate practices for grades K-8.
- Familiar with MTSS process as it relates to Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavioral interventions.
- Supports curriculum through ongoing classroom guidance.
- Understanding of meeting the needs of a socially and culturally diverse student population.
- Utilizes a variety of strategies in problem solving with individual students.
- Counsels students to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational situations.
- Provides crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
- Confers with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.
- Maintains accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Prepares students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Identifies cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourages students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.
- Teaches classes and presents self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and social emotional learning programs.
- Attends meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops and serves on committees as needed.
- Establishes and enforces administration policies and rules governing student behavior.
- Contributes to a team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
- Performs other duties as needed.
- QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree in Counseling or related field preferred.
- At least five years of experience in related field.
- Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
- Requires an appreciation and respect for the Catholic Church and its teachings.
- Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with and supportive of the mission and purpose of the Church.
- Their public behavior must not violate the faith, morals or laws of the Church or the policies of the diocese.
- ORGANIZATIONAL/INTERPERSONAL SKILLS A high level of organizational and interpersonal skill is required.
- Attention to detail and working well with others is also required.
- Must have the ability to manage and to present oneself professionally.
- LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION SKILLS Ability to communicate effectively with subordinates.
- Ability to effectively communicate with Principal as well as staff, students, and parents.
- Confidentiality is essential.
- MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts such as adding, dividing, and multiplying.
- REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, talk, feel, sit, grasp, hear and perform repetitive motions of the hands/wrists; required to see up close and from far away.
- Also may be required to lift up to 30 lbs.
- WORKING ENVIRONMENT Work is performed mostly in an office setting.
- Employee may be required to work more than 40 hours including occasional evenings and weekends, and do extensive computer work.
