LAS VIRGENES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT JOB DESCRIPTION CLASS TITLE: Elementary School Counselor BASIC FUNCTIONS: Under the supervision of the site principal, is responsible for counseling students individually and in groups. The counselor also consults with teachers, administrators and parents regarding effective strategies for dealing with problem behavior and for developing a positive learning environment for individual students. REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: Student Responsibilities • 90% of time to be scheduled in direct service to students. • Counsels individual students to facilitate transition from home to school and to build positive attitudes, self-understanding, self-direction and responsibility. • Counsels groups of students to promote confidence and effective interaction, and to solve problems and make effective decisions. • Orients new students and conducts articulation activities, which facilitate transfer from one school or educational level to another. • Monitors students with developmental problems, initiates conferences with appropriate adults to provide prescriptive suggestions to resolve identified student problems. Staff Responsibilities at the School Site • Consults with teachers to coordinate effective intervention plans to meet students’ needs and to serve as a referral agent when needed. • Consults with other school staff on curriculum development, testing, records, placement, grouping, promotion, student evaluation, screening of students, and providing information. • Participates as needed in Student Study Team process to problem-solve and coordinate services. • Participates as needed as administrative designee in appropriate IEPs. • Develops and/or presents age appropriate classroom and small group activities to enhance personal/social skills and to facilitate educational and career planning. • Designs and presents professional development activities to the school staff. • Maintains effective records of students in order to follow through with needed services in both academic and social/emotional areas. • Participates in any ongoing programs acknowledging students for appropriate behavior, attendance and/or academic performance. • Interprets appropriate assessment data for teachers and/or parents. • Communicates with parents to maximize students’ social and academic adjustment, explaining school policies, and assisting in parental understanding of child development. • Develops relationships with community agencies that will facilitate referrals for in-depth service when indicated. District Responsibilities • Serves in various capacities at the school or District level when required, such as providing professional development, reporting to the Governing Board and participating on school or District committees. • Maintains a high level of professional development by attending conferences, implementing activities based on current research and disseminating successful strategies to professional colleagues. • Serves as a member of the site and District crisis team. • Performs other duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of: • National Counseling Standards • Confidentiality rights of students and parents • Effective individual and group counseling strategies • Developmental stages of elementary school-aged children • Special Education laws relating to IEPs • Board Policies and regulations relating to school counseling • Strategies for dealing with students in emergency and crisis situations Ability to: • Communicate with students, parents, and staff • Organize and lead group counseling sessions • Organize and lead parent conferences and/or group meetings • Analyze student achievement and assessment data • Actively participate in SST and IEP meetings • Present program information in a public setting EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: • Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred; appropriate educational background to carry out all assigned duties, including familiarity with methods, techniques and programs which are effective in counseling, including individual, group counseling, parent education and staff development. • Appropriate experience necessary to function effectively in all aspects of the position. LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: • Valid Pupil Personnel Services Counseling credential WORKING CONDITIONS: Environment: • Subject to classroom and playground settings, which may include inside and outside environmental conditions. • Subject to driving between sites. Physical Abilities: • Sitting and standing for extended periods of time • Dexterity of hands and fingers for operating office equipment, carrying, pushing or lifting classroom equipment and supplies • Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching • Seeing to observe students in classroom activities • Hearing and speaking to communicate with others • Moving around a classroom or playground environment freely and independently enough to observe children naturally and unobtrusively. Work Year: Equivalent to teacher’s work year (185 days). Salary: Teacher salary schedule placement based on 185 days. Las Virgenes Unified School District - August 16, 2005