Guidance Counselor

Ozark School District•Ozark, AR

About The Position

1.0 FTE. 200 day contract. Compensation per salary schedule. Initial Assignment will be with 4th - 7th grade students. To provide, as a member of the Counseling Department, a comprehensive guidance program for students and specifically provide activities to meet the needs of the assigned case-load; consult with teachers, staff and parents to enhance their effectiveness in helping students; and provide support to other educational programs. Other duties may be assigned; duties may vary according to grade level. Initial assignments will be at the Ozark Upper Elementary and the Ozark Middle School.

Requirements

Masters degree in counseling, teaching experience preferred.
Valid Teaching license and counseling endorsement or commitment to complete a Teacher Licensure Plan.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general counseling periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the general public.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, table, or schedule form.
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to counseling program; ability to plan and implement individual and group lessons based on district and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.
Ability to use appropriate language and accompanying techniques with adolescents on one to one basis as well as in groups.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents; skill in oral and written communication.

Responsibilities

Counsels groups or individual students through the development of educational and/or career plans, including 504 plans.
Counsels small groups and individual students; refers severe concerns to appropriate community resources.
Consults with teachers, staff and parents regarding meeting the developmental needs of students.
Evaluates and revises the building counseling program.
Conducts counseling activities in the classroom in conjunction with administration and teachers.
Consults with teachers to facilitate the infusion of counseling activities into the regular education curriculum.
Counsels/guides students and parents in use of test results for education/career planning.
Responds to crisis situations when appropriate.
Proctors ATLAS, ELPA, ACT tests, others as needed.
Attends and/or facilitates informational meetings, pre-registration meetings and other programs and evening parent meetings as necessary.
Assists in student assessments and evaluations.
Is responsible for computerized management of student data: achievement tests, interest inventories, learning styles inventories, etc.
Assists with registration and scheduling of new students and conducts orientation to school procedures and the schools’ various opportunities for learning.
Meets with each student in the assigned caseload at least one time annually.
Aids students in course and subject selections.
Maintains students records as applicable and protects their confidentiality.
Works to discover and develop special abilities of students.
Works to prevent students from dropping out of school.
Provides student information to colleges and potential employers, according to provisions of the Board’s policy on student records and federal guidelines.
Makes recommendations to colleges for admissions and scholarships.
Makes recommendations for alternative learning environments, including after school or summer school programs.
Helps students evaluate career interest and choices; disseminates occupational information to students through classroom guidance, career education activities, and other means.
Works with students on an individual basis in the solution of personal problems related to academics, home and family, health, and emotional issues.
Confers with parents whenever necessary and appropriate.
Provides training on guidance topics for teachers and parents.
Communicates regularly with various internal and external publics to develop and maintain a positive school/community relationship.