School Counselor

Job Summary

The School Counselor provides counseling services that foster the academic, personal, social, and career development of all students. Provides individual/group counseling and guidance for students and implements broad based programs that deal with decision making, conflict resolution, self esteem, coping strategies, and other issues. Serves as both the primary agent for addressing issues that impact students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential and the school-based resource for dealing with child abuse/neglect and crisis prevention/intervention. Acts as a liaison between the school and various community/governmental agencies that may provide services to students and their families and participates on the school's multidisciplinary committee.

Responsibilities

• Provides general school counseling and guidance programs/services including individual and group counseling and guidance
• Implements broad based programs dealing with decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies, and other issues
• Plans and provides classroom guidance focusing on social and emotional issues, family and/or peer relationships, and decision-making
• Provides formal and informal counseling services to students and their parents concerning issues that are affecting or may affect the students' school adjustment
• Serves as the primary agent for addressing issues that impact students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential
• Serves as the school-based resource for dealing with child abuse/neglect and crisis prevention/intervention
• Participates in team interventions with other staff to support students
• Participates on the school's multidisciplinary committee that includes other staff members
• Collaborates with parents, teachers, and other staff members in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive educational program for students
• Makes referrals to outside agencies as needed and provides ongoing follow-up services to students and their families
• Gathers and disseminates information on critical issues such as student substance abuse, child abuse/neglect, suicide prevention/intervention, preteen/teen pregnancy, and homelessness
• Keeps abreast of current techniques and trends in school counseling and guidance for elementary, middle, and/or high school students
• Prepares and maintains student counseling records
• Prepares reports on students, correspondence, and statistical summaries
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with representatives of various community/governmental agencies to facilitate the availability and accessibility of services to meet the needs of students and their families
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all Woods management and staff at all time

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in school counseling, mental health counseling, human services with the school counseling specialization, psychology, or a related field
• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania instructional specialist certificate endorsed for Elementary Counselor or Secondary Counselor (or Guidance Counselor Certificate issued prior to July 1, 1969) OR Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Elementary and Secondary School Counselor (PK-12) certification
• Must be 21 years of age
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Prior to employment, medical certification and child abuse/criminal history/FBI clearances are required