BASIC FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITY: Work with school faculty and staff, students, parents, and community to plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program for the district. To ensure all campuses implement a systematic PK-12 data driven school counseling program for ALL students that will:

1. Promote academic excellence
2. Foster a safe and caring environment
3. Inspire social/emotional growth
4. Empower students to graduate college and career ready

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas Professional School Counselor certification

Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of counseling procedures, intervention strategies and student appraisal systems
• Knowledge of College, Career, and Military Readiness indicators
• Knowledge of college and career readiness advising practices
• Knowledge of academic programs, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of effective drop out recovery and prevention practices
• Knowledge of community-based organizations and resources
• Knowledge of district rules and regulations
• Skill in interacting effectively with parents and community partners
• Skill in facilitating campus level teams
• Skill in communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Skill in analyzing complex information and data
• Skill in implementing long-range and immediate plans
• Skill in operating standard computer and software applications, including but not limited to electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations.
• Skill in communicating and collaborating between and among various areas of the district to support healthy students, high student achievement, and customer satisfaction
• Ability to organize and prioritize work responsibilities

Experience:

• Five (5) years of counseling experience with a minimum of two (2) years at the secondary level
• Three (3) years of leadership experience (may include serving as a P-TECH/ECHS Counselor, Lead Counselor, board member or professional development facilitator of a counseling related association/council, etc.)
• All levels of counseling experience including: social and emotional learning guidance lessons, individual student planning, responsive services, systems support, parent meetings, school wide activities, and graduation requirement preferred

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities noted herein; however, this is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions found in this job description.

Instructional Management:

• Consult with school staff, parents, and other community members to increase student effectiveness and promote student success.
• Develop classroom guidance, group guidance and serve as a consultant to counselors.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate a balanced, comprehensive developmental guidance program to serve all students.
• Advocate for the school developmental guidance and counseling program and counselors’ ethical and professional standards with school personnel, parents, students, and the community.
• Support the implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of assigned programs for elementary and secondary education, curriculum, and/or instructional support, and ensure that assigned programs are efficiently and effectively administered.
• Support and participate in meeting the objectives of the campus/department improvement plans.

Student Management:

• Advocate for all students and provide professional expertise to help staff, parents, and other community members understand individual behavior and human relationships.
• Assist all students with developing and applying skills for maximum educational, career, personal, and social growth during school years and beyond.
• Intervene with students whose developmental needs, personal concerns, or problems affect their continued educational, career, personal, or social development.
• Make referrals as appropriate in consultation with the student’s parent or guardian.
• Coordinate people and resources in the school, home, and community to support achievement to assist parents and staff.
• Guide groups of students and parents to plan, monitor, and manage the student’s social development and educational development, including but not limited to, course selection, high school diploma plans, four-year plans, provision of information regarding post-secondary opportunities and career development accurately and without bias.
• Use accepted theories and effective techniques to provide individual and/or group developmental, preventive, remedial, and/or crisis counseling.
• Facilitate the transition for students between elementary and secondary education.
• Assist campuses in working with students and parents in understanding college and financial aid opportunities.
• Assist with drop out recovery efforts.
• Assist campuses in resolving parent/student issues and concerns in a timely manner.

Management of Administrative, Fiscal and/or Facilities Functions:

• Manage resources and activities related to campus needs.
• Interpret standardized test results.
• Maintain collaborative inter-professional relationships.
• Commit to current professional and ethical standards of competence and practice.
• Coordinate departmental activities with other District offices and administrators and provide assistance to requesting departments.
• Follow District and department policies and procedures.
• Assist with recruiting, selecting, and orienting new counselors.
• Plan and conduct professional development for school counselors and district wide staff including college and career readiness program implementation.
• Serve as liaison to all level counselors from Service Center/Directors
• Assist with planning, monitoring, and evaluating school counselors on campuses.
• Coordinate Counselor meetings.
• Assist with the coordination of Associate Principal/Lead Counselor meetings.
• Provide curriculum master maintenance and course master support districtwide
• Serve as course selection and verification liaison; annually update and revise all course selection guides 
• Assist with recruiting, selecting, and orienting new counselors.
• Plan and conduct professional development for school counselors and district wide staff including college and career readiness program implementation.
• Manage senior transcript review/senior audits for all high schools.
• Oversee GPA and Class Rank process and verification
• Review transcripts and records for transfer and newcomer students 
• Visit campuses to support and coach counselors.
• Coordinate district wide activities that foster the social /emotional well-being of all students.
• Support programs that provide alternative ways for students to earn credits toward graduation (credit by exam (CBE), online courses, etc.)
• Monitor required guidance lessons and small group activities on campuses.
• Support implementation of SEL curriculum
• Assist in school wide college/career guidance activities and college/career fairs.
• Collaborate and work as a team on all district wide activities.

Organization Improvement:

• Analyze critical needs in assigned areas and work collaboratively to implement and improve programs.

Professional Growth and Development:

• Accept responsibility for self-directed professional development through continuous efforts to improve their competence in meeting and exceeding standards in performing job responsibilities.
• Participate in professional development that increases effectiveness and improves District performance.

Texas Academic Performance Indicators and Campus Performance Objectives:

• Support the administration of state-mandated testing at campuses in compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• Monitor and review campus test data and use findings to assist with planning corrective action for the affected group of students and/or campuses.

School/Community Relations:

• Forge partnerships with community agencies, businesses, and universities to better serve the needs and interests of all students.
• Interface with governmental agencies, business and civic organizations, and the community to provide needed information and to promote the District’s initiatives.

Organization Morale:

• Foster positive morale by participating in team building activities and the decision-making process.
• Communicate and collaborate with campus/department staff to enhance service delivery, program development, and customer satisfaction.

Other Responsibilities:

• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, including but not limited to State Board of Education and local Board policy.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Coordination of professional development, planning, support, and coaching for all district counselors.

MENTAL DEMANDS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard library equipment including imaging equipment; standard instruction equipment
• Posture: Regular sitting, standing, kneeling, squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Motion: Repetitive hand motions; frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; regular overhead reaching; occasional climbing ladders
• Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); occasional moderate lifting and carrying (15–44 pounds)
• Environment: Work inside; work alone; frequent district wide travel; exposure to biological and chemical hazards such as mold and dust; work occasional prolonged and irregular hours
• Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress