GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK

Under the supervision of the Coordinator of Advanced Learning, the Advance Learning Counselor is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the comprehensive school counseling program in alignment with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) national model. The Advanced Learning School Counselor provides gifted students, International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID), Activ8, Virtual and Honors programs with academic, social-emotional, and career development opportunities through classroom lessons, individual counseling, and group counseling. The Advanced Learning School Counselors work to provide preventative and responsive services to all students to maximize each student’s individual potential towards rigorous achievement. School counselors are the liaison between the school administration, teachers and other school staff, parents and families, and the larger DPS community to support all developmental aspects of a student’s schooling. The School Counselor assists students as they explore and plan their post-secondary pathways. This position reports to the principal/assistant principal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Complies with all school laws, State Board of Education regulations, and all policies and regulations made by the School Board and Superintendent.
• Performs all duties deemed necessary by the School Board and Superintendent for the efficient and successful operation of the school system.
• Define and focus the comprehensive school counseling program in response to the needs of students based on the schools’ academic, attendance, and behavioral data. 
• Identify student needs through data collection and analysis and in consultation with school administrators, teachers, and other school staff to enhance program development.
• Deliver the school counseling core curriculum via classroom instruction with reinforcements delivered through small group instruction and/or individual instruction towards high student achievement. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5801820A-879D-42E0-B1FE-48ED64438604
• Teach developmentally appropriate lessons, deliver group activities to promote an academic, career, or social/emotional development in partnership with other counselors and/or teaching staff.
• Lead the academic advisement process with individual students to develop academic and career plans based on each individual student’s interests, abilities, skills, and achievements.
• Provide responsive services based on academic, career, and social/emotional data to provide short-term solution-focused counseling interventions.
• Crisis response to assist students with a variety of social-emotional and mental health concerns and make appropriate referrals to outside mental health providers when necessary.
• Consult and work in collaboration with other members of the Student Support Team and community partners in support of positive social-emotional development and overall mental health.
• Conduct student and parent workshops and/or presentations on a variety of academic, social-emotional, and career topics.
• Collaborate to coordinate college visits, career day, student work, and volunteer opportunities to include educational and career assessments related to student interests.
• Maintain a variety of confidential and non-confidential student records.
• Participate in a variety of professional learning opportunities to include meetings, workshops, and committees related to performing school counseling functions and remain knowledgeable with program guidelines.
• Prepare a variety of documents, reports, and written materials (e.g. emails, individual awards, invitations, event programs, bulletins, reports, etc.) to effectively communicate information to parents and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the school division.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in Counseling/Guidance, Education, or Social Work
• Minimum of 1 year of school counseling or teaching experience
• Intensive course work in the principles and practice of school counseling as it aligns with the ASCA national model preferred
• Valid Virginia Department of Education license with an endorsement in School Counseling or eligibility to obtain one
• Must demonstrate effective knowledge of and be sensitive to the needs of a diverse student population.
• Ability to develop effective relationships with students, parents and school personnel

EVALUATION

Performance will be evaluated by the Coordinator of Advanced Learning and based on the degree to which the counselor fulfills the duties detailed herein.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

12-month contract; 260 days/year; 8 hours/day (minimum)