High School Counselor

HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.  Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Position Goal

The basic function of the high school counselor is to provide students with a service designed to give systematic aid in adjusting to educational, vocational, social, and personal problems. The counselor shall help individuals to understand personal needs, interests, and abilities; establish standards and goals; and evaluate progress.

Reports To 

Principal

Supervises

None

Terms of Employment

Exempt Employment; 11 Month; Full-Time

Essential Function Statements

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

General Counseling 

• Acts as an advocate for all students 
• Works in collaboration with other stakeholders in narrowing the achievement gap 
• Provides professional leadership to establish a culture conducive to learning 
• Counsels individual and/or small groups of students with academic, career and personal/social concerns
• Assists students in developing a plan for achieving educational, career and personal/social goals 
• Consults with a variety of school based teams to facilitate appropriate placement decisions to enhance student achievement
• Confers with classroom teachers, administration, support staff, community agencies and parents regarding students and their needs
• Coordinates with school and community agencies to broaden students’ resources
• Participates in school-related large group activities (i.e. new student orientation, parent nights, etc.)
• Seeks resources necessary to achieve school goals 
• Guides individuals/groups of students through the development of educational plans, career awareness and personal/social growth issues
• Report child abuse to BMCW and assist other staff with reporting.
• Facilitate Homebound and Homeless services—Serve as Homeless Student Liaison 

Assessments/Data

• Schedules, coordinates and administers student assessments
• Provides training and in-service workshops with administration in the implementation of assessments
• Assumes responsibility for the accuracy and validity of assessment results 
• Ensures that student needed accommodations be carried out (i.e.: 504, IEP, ELL, or other as appropriate)
• Identifies and disaggregates critical data, such as grades, test scores, attendance, promotion rates, graduation and postsecondary enrollment rate 
• Uses data to develop strategies to positively impact students 

College/Career Planning Activities

• Provide student and parent updates throughout the year on college application and scholarship information and deadlines.
• Create and submit materials to colleges in support of college applicants, including transcripts and references/recommendations. 
• Cultivate mutually beneficial working relationships with college admissions professionals and local area college counseling colleagues. Facilitate visits between students and college representatives on campus. Arrange and direct visits to relevant colleges and college fairs. 
• Visit college campuses to stay abreast of university offerings and become familiar with the nuances of signature programs. 
• Track trends in admissions, college counseling fields, and awarded scholarships. 
• Provide college scholarship resources; organize financial aid workshops. 
• Plan/attend college and career field trips
• Organize/plan College Fairs/Career Days/visits
• Facilitate student completion of college applications and FAFSA/ Financial Aid forms 
• Distribute Scholarship opportunities/applications

Scheduling/Transcript Analysis

• Assumes responsibility for transcript analysis and courses needed for graduation (Job Corps and MC2 students)
• Monitors student academic progress in meeting graduation requirements and facilitates student and parent communication regarding progress
• Develop class schedules (building master schedule) and teacher assignments within the student information system

Other Duties

• Adheres to ethical and legal professional standards 
• Uses appropriate technology for counseling services 
• Provide staff trainings - homelessness, child abuse/neglect mandated reporting, etc.
• Attend staff meetings/ professional development/trainings
• Performs other related duties, as required. 

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• In-depth knowledge of counseling theory and services. 
• Knowledge in use of office equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of available resources and procedures to access resources, in order to meet the special needs of students and/or their families.
• School rules and guidelines.

Ability to:

• Ability to counsel individuals and small groups of students.
• Manage culturally sensitive topics. 
• Coordinate the efforts of support services personnel and outside agencies. 
• Effectively express ideas orally and in writing. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Understand, follow and instruct written and oral instructions.
• Effectively collaborating with a staff of teachers and professionals, engaged in assisting students at various academic levels, to facilitate successful academic achievement.
• Analyzing, identifying, addressing and implementing programs and activities for successfully resolving a multitude of child sociological problems.
• Operate basic office equipment, e.g., computer terminals, printers, copy machines, telephone systems, facsimile machines.
• Operate the school database system(s).
• Perform routine typing and basic computer operations, i.e., data entry, word processing and records retrieval.
• Work independently to carry out assignments to completion.
• Perform duties with a professional and cooperative work ethic; ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain regular attendance.

Education and Experience Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field required. Coursework should include counseling theory, adolescent development, trauma-informed practices, crisis intervention, and educational systems.
• Valid Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Counselor License (appropriate grade level) required.

Experience:

• Prior experience providing counseling services to adolescents in a school or youth-serving setting preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting students with academic, social/emotional, and postsecondary planning needs.
• Experience using student data (e.g., attendance, behavior, academic performance) to inform interventions and support student success.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, families, and community agencies.
• Experience with college and career readiness programming, including applications, financial aid (FAFSA), and postsecondary planning strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting diverse student populations, including students experiencing homelessness, trauma, or other barriers to success, strongly preferred.

Special Conditions of Employment:  

• Valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance required
• Ability to travel using personal vehicle (as needed)
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check and driver’s record check in accordance with Seeds of Health policies and applicable regulations

Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in a school setting with frequent interruptions and a high level of student interaction. The role requires moving throughout the building during the school day to meet with students, staff, and families.
• The position regularly involves responding to sensitive and high-stress situations, including student crises (e.g., mental health concerns, mandated reporting, homelessness support).
• Exposure to confidential and sensitive information is routine and requires strict adherence to privacy standards.
• Occasional travel may be required for college visits, community partnerships, student home visits, or off-site meetings.

Physical Conditions:  

Work involves a combination of sedentary and active responsibilities.

• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking throughout the school building
• Ability to move quickly to respond to student needs or emergencies
• Frequent use of a computer and standard office equipment
• Ability to communicate clearly in person, virtually, and by phone
• Occasional lifting and carrying of materials up to approximately 25 pounds (e.g., files, event materials)

Position may require responding to student health or safety situations, including providing basic first aid or assisting with student medications in accordance with training and school procedures.