VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

CERTIFICATED JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF POSITION: School Counselor 

A. Primary Function: The school counselor is a staff member who is professionally trained in 

guidance and counseling. Provides pupil personnel services to pupils, parents, staff and to the 

community. All services provided by the counselor are pupil centered and should include adequate 

educational, vocational, personal and social guidance for all students. The counselor should assist 

both students and teachers to understand, develop and provide those human relation experiences, 

which are involved in problems of adjustment. Counselors should provide data about students, which 

is necessary for developmental curriculum planning.  

B. Directly Responsible to: Assistant Superintendent or Executive Director, Educational Excellence, Executive Director of Student Support Services or Designee 

C. Representative Duties:

1. Actively utilizes a variety of data to evaluate the needs of the school and of the individual students, such as through the formation of a strategic plan for comprehensive counseling and guidance program activities or when assisting students and parents in interpreting and utilizing assessment data as a guide for individual goal setting and planning. E

2. Provides structured, goal oriented prevention, intervention, and responsive services to meet the identified needs of individuals or groups of students regarding academic, career, and personal/social issues. E  

3. Engages with, advocates for, and provides support for all students with respect to learning and achievement. E

4. Conducts and documents systematic risk assessments for students who may be a danger to themselves and/or others. E

5. Plans and conducts structured classroom lessons to deliver curriculum effectively and in accordance with students’ developmental needs. E

6. Performs duties as assigned during a crisis or emergency through the implementation of District policy and federal and/or state law as determined by the superintendent or designee. E

7. Enhances students’ social and emotional competence, character, health, civic engagement, cultural legacy, and commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of high quality educational programs. 

8. Uses researched-based strategies to reduce stigma, conflict, and student-to-student mistreatment and bullying. E

9. Intervenes to improve school-related problems, including issues related to chronic absences. E 

10. Responsible for group and individual guidance procedures associated with proper student placement in regard to graduation and beyond as well as schedule changes and monitoring progress towards promotion and graduation, including transcript evaluations. E 

11. Responsible for delivering accurate and relevant information concerning post-secondary options to students and parents including letters of recommendation and completing other college and scholarship-related work. E

12. Maintains appropriate documentation (i.e. case files, registers, Medi Cal support documents, etc) as required by law, District policy, and administrative regulations. E

13. Provides community referrals, linkages, and collaboration with community resources to address student and family needs. E

14. Coordinates with social services resources within and outside the school system for use by students, their families, and school personnel.  

15. Promotes understanding of factors that affect culture, and diversity within families and populations related to counseling services and/or supports.

16. Participates in professional growth activities such as classes, workshops, conferences, school and District committees and school community activities. E

17. Acts as a resource for teachers, such as consulting on the solution of classroom behavior problems and conducting in-service programs for faculty related to Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS); provides opportunities for parent education programs. E

18. Coordinates information and documents when requested for Student Study Teams (SSTs) and Section 504 Accommodation Plans to assist with interventions for students with academic or social needs. E

19. Performs other related duties as assigned.

D. Education and Experience:

Appropriate valid California Pupil Personnel Services credential 

Teaching credential is desirable 

A Bachelor’s degree is required 

E. Qualifications:

Knowledge of: 

Principles, practices, theories, techniques and strategies to support students and families 

Child health and development

Effective prevention and emergency procedures and strategies

Program evaluation strategies 

Use of technology within school setting for use by specialized professionals

Skills in the various modes of counseling supports with emphasis on evidence-based practices, mental health consultation, and community organization

American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model 

  Abilities to:

Communicate effectively orally and in writing

Work in a diverse socio-economic and multicultural community

Maintain consistent, punctual and regular attendance

Establish positive relationships among staff members at all levels

Work effectively and flexibly in a variety of environments

Provide individual or small group support for students and/or families 

Assists students, families, or staff

Establish and maintain a variety of accurate record keeping and filing systems 

Use a computer or other technology-based equipment

F. Physical Demands:

Occasionally sitting for extended periods of time 

Frequently walking or standing 

Variable hours

Physical agility and stamina

Occasionally lifting objects weighing up to 10 pounds, seldom weighing up to 25 lbs

Occasionally bending, twisting, crouching or kneeling 

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard (occasionally to frequently)

Frequently listening and speaking to exchange information and make presentations

Physical Demands Frequency Definitions Based on an 8 hour day:

N = Never = 0%

S = Seldom = 1 - 10% (< 45 minutes)

Oc = Occasionally = 11 - 33% ( up to 3.0 hours)

F = Frequently = 34 - 66% (up to 6 hours)

C = Continuously = 67 - 100% (> 6 hours)

G. Salary: Per salary schedule 

Updated 2/18