BORREGO SPRINGS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

CERTIFICATED NON-MANAGEMENT POSITION 

SCHOOL COUNSELOR  K-12

DEFINITION 

Under the direction of the Superintendent and the school principals, the School Counselor provides district-wide support for family support services; assistance to schools for students who are identified to be “at-risk” for school failure without additional intervention; and provides services including home visits, conferencing, classroom demonstrations, referral to outside agencies, individual and group counseling, parent education, and staff in-service training. 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

School Site

1. Assists school sites in developing a safe and positive learning environment that enhance student success in school.
2. Assists school sites with “at-risk” student referral developing plans or services, and/or making recommendations.
3. Assists site administrators in planning and modifying student support services for identified students.
4. Collaborates with teachers and administrators, in communicating with parents and students who demonstrate early warning signs of being or becoming “at-risk” for school failure.
5. Works cooperatively with School Study Team.  Cooperatively works with the District Crisis Team for the purpose of providing assistance to schools during crisis interventions and makes appropriate referrals to agencies and services.
6. Collaborates with teachers for in class and outside classroom support to students and their families.
7. Participates in school community activities.
8. Works with school teams, parents and students to develop behavior support plans to address behaviors interfering with school success.
9. Works with school staff/teams to support school-wide and district-wide school discipline/environment programs.
10. Assists staff in addressing truancy/attendance issues negatively impacting student success.
11. Provides input to disciplinary proceedings as needed. 

Parent and Family 

1. Assists families to help their children to understand their aptitudes, interests, attitudes, abilities, and opportunities for self-fulfillment.
2. Works with families of children who experience difficulties adjusting to the school environment.
3. Assists the families of children who have reoccurring behavioral problems to provide resources that address the issues.
4. Helps parents to understand their children through individual conferences at school or within the home as needed.
5. Provides parent education and staff in-service training on developing strategies for productive, responsible students with positive outlooks.
6. Indentifies resources in the community and makes appropriate referrals to provide support to students and families.
7. Create a District on-site location for consolidated services for students, family and community. (FRC-Family Resource Center) 

EXMAPLES OF DUTIES (continued) 

Work with student

1. Provides counseling and education services to individual and groups of students
2. Provides direction and support to students participating in student leadership activities, peer mediation, student conflict resolution, etc. to support positive school environment.
3. Assists in monitoring and follow-up of “at-risk” students to enhancing student success in school.
4. Provides classroom lessons on topics such as self-esteem, social skills, responsibility, coping, making wise choices, respecting others, study skills, career development ensuring successful participation in the academic program.
5. Coordinates and provides counseling and other intervention activities for students and families.
6. Provides direct counseling intervention (individual, group) for students.
7. Provides support activities to students and families to ensure successful participation in the academic program. 

Professional Development/Data/Other

Keeps informed of local, state, and federal legislation relating to the welfare of school age children.

1. Seeks and takes opportunities to better him/her professionally via in-service and inter-agency meetings, conferences, seminars, classes, and other avenues for self-improvement.
2. Follows up on suspected neglect and/or child abuse cases.
3. Adheres to professional ethics.
4. Uses vocabulary suitable to the development level of the pupils.
5. Ensures that program reflects the philosophy of the District.
6. Presents thoughts in a manner that is clearly understood.
7. Gathers data and completes reports to help determine effectiveness of counseling/social work programs/interventions.
8. Serves on district committees as assigned.
9. Assumes other assigned responsibilities.
10. Plan  and provide a comprehensive guidance program that meets the needs of all students that adheres to national American School Counseling Association Standards (ASCA)
11. Keeps informed on the content and status of current legislation that relates to ASCA Standards.
12. Prepares documentation (i.e. evaluations, observations, records, progress, contacts with parents, teachers and outside professionals, Medi-Cal claim reports, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE 

Ability to:

Be Flexible.

Use computer and other office equipment to communicate, document and report.

Demonstrate qualities of initiative, dependability, resourcefulness and industry.

Be proactive and work well with others.

Accepts suggestions from colleagues and takes positive action in light of such suggestions.

Communicate effectively with students, families, staff, and resource agencies of varied cultural and education backgrounds.

Communicate effectively in written form.

Provide direction to others and make independent judgments.

Keep and maintain accurate records.

English / Spanish bilingual preferred 

Education:

A Master’s Degree in Counseling in preferred. 

A K-12 Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) in School Counseling credential or in process of obtaining.  Bilingual English / Spanish skills desired.

Training and Experience:

Two years professional experience after earning Master’s Degree is preferred. 

Licenses: 

Possess California driver license and use of own vehicle is required. 

Experience Desired:

Prior job related experience with increasing levels of responsibilities in school setting. 

Knowledge:

Knowledge of curriculum, education code, district policies and American School Counseling Association National Standards for school guidance. 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Environment:

Indoor and outdoor work environment.

Driving between sites. 

Physical Abilities: 

Bend at the waist, knee or crouching to assist students.

Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations.

Hear to respond to discrete differences in sounds.

Lift and carrying books, materials and equipment to execute lessons and presentations.

See to read, prepare, review and monitor students at student activities.

Sit or stand for extended periods of time.

Walk extended lengths to move around campus.