Counselor (High School)

Geary County USD 475

Job Description

Classification:                        Certified

Division/Department:             Junction City High School

Job Category:                        Counselor                              

FLSA:                                     Exempt

Title:                                       Career Academy Guidance Counselor

Qualifications:                        *Currently hold or be eligible for Kansas certification as school counselor Grades 7-12

                                                *A minimum of three years of successful teaching experience, preferably at the high school level

                                                *A strong personal commitment to promote the effective schools program

                                                *A demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, administration, and parents

                                                *A demonstrated knowledge of effective counseling techniques

Reports To:                             Building and Academy Principal

BASIC FUNCTION/PURPOSE

            To provide appropriate intervention and assistance to students in learning communication skills and problem solving techniques necessary to avoid future crises; to serve as liaison between student, teacher, parent, administrator; to organize and arrange special programs for student growth and enrichment; and to assist students with future educational and vocational plans.           

CRITICAL SKILLS:

1. Ability to maintain regular and good work attendance and come to work on time.
2. Ability to work constructively and cooperatively with others.
3. Ability to respond to information requests in a courteous, timely and helpful manner.
4. Ability to manage job responsibilities while meeting established deadlines.
5. Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality of student and staff information.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

The employee performing the duties of this position is frequently required to walk, sit, talk, hear, bend, stoop, and reach.  The employee may be occasionally required to manually lift, move, or carry up to 50 pounds.  The employee is required to interact with staff and meet the demands of several different people.  The employee is responsible for the work output of others.  The employee occasionally works extended hours.  Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Knowledge of  district and community resources
2. Professional responsibilities

                        Follow contractual responsibilities

                        Engage in reflective practice

                        Maintain accurate records

                        Communicate with families

                        Engage in professional development activities

                        Maintain appropriate licensure

                        Collaborate with others to achieve a common goal

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Respect the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and teachers in accordance with accepted professional ethics, and state, and federal laws.
2. Uphold and enforce Board policies, administrative procedures, school rules, and federal and state regulations including but not limited to:

• Consolidated Plan for Federal Programs
• Acceptable use of technology
• Sexual and racial harassment
• Child Abuse Reporting

1. Assist students with enrollment, orientation, course selection, and setting up individual plans of study; work with computerized student information system in this process.
2. Conduct testing and interpret results to help students understand their aptitudes, abilities, and achievement.
3. Support the vision and mission of JCHS, a Career Academy High School; and work to develop and sustain the climate and culture of the academy model.
4. Collaborate with the Academy Leadership Team and the Career Academy Coordinator to coordinate academy specific activities such as: development of academy curriculum and pathway electives, scheduling job shadowing and internship experiences, post-secondary planning and coordinating advisory cluster/career activities.
5. Assist students in post-secondary goal setting and establishing their plans for post high school education or career choices.
6. Maintain student record files and submit reports in a timely manner.
7. Participate as a team member with the department, academy, and both licensed and non-licensed staff in a comprehensive evaluation, review, and re-evaluation process.
8. Attend/assist with school events including, but not limited to: Commencement, Academic Awards Night, Academic Awards Banquet, College and Career Planning Conferences.
9. Strive to communicate the positive aspects of our school program to the public in word and deed.
10. Be an active member of the professional learning community: student, committee and academy meetings, as well as assist in early recognition and prevention of educational problems.
11. Plan and implement transition services for students.
12. Counsel students with interpersonal or social concerns.
13. Counsel students with academic or attendance problems
14. Conduct group counseling and classroom guidance
15. Serve as liaison: student, teacher, parent administrator, and community.
16. Identify students with special needs and suggest alternatives to meet those needs.
17. Perform other duties as assigned by the principal

Term of Employment:            Teacher Contract + 15 additional duty days

Salary Range:                         Determined by placement on teacher salary schedule.

Evaluation Frequency:           Job performance will be evaluated in accordance with state regulations and the terms established in the negotiated agreement.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Geary County USD #475 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and/or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For questions or complaints based on race, color, national origin, sex or age, please contact the USD 475 Director of Personnel Services, 123 N. Eisenhower, Junction City, KS 66441. Telephone: 785.717.4000. For questions or complaints based on disability, please contact the USD 475 Director of Special Education, 123 N. Eisenhower, Junction City, KS 66441. Telephone: 785.717.4000

Geary County USD 475

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