Professional School Counselor

Ferguson-Florissant School District•Florissant, MO

About The Position

As a member of the District Professional School Counseling Department, the counselor will develop and implement a comprehensive school counseling program for all students in accordance with DESES and ASCA standards. Proactive planning and program implementation will include activities that meet the academic, social, emotional, and career development needs of the students. The counselor will consult and collaborate with teachers, staff, and parents to enhance program and service effectiveness as well as provide system support to other educational programs.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in School Counseling
Missouri Counseling Certification in appropriate grade levels or be provisionally certified
Must demonstrate initiative in program development.
Experience in a multi-cultural setting
Care/TAT & Data Team Meeting/RTI procedures/techniques knowledge
Special School District Referral and 504 IAP knowledge/experience
Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with students, parents, and staff.
Empathy: The ability to understand and relate to the feelings and experiences of others.
Problem-Solving: Effective strategies for addressing and resolving student and school-related challenges.
Skills to mediate disputes and promote peaceful outcomes.
Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, maintain accurate records, and plan programs.
Interpersonal Skills: Building positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
Cultural Competence: Awareness and respect for diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds
Advocacy: Supporting and championing student success and well-being..
Crisis Management: Ability to respond effectively to emergencies and support students during crises.
Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust to changing priorities and student needs.
Ethical Standards: Upholding confidentiality and adhering to professional ethical guidelines.
Leadership: Inspiring and guiding school-wide initiatives to support student growth.

Responsibilities

Development and implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program
System Support- ( ie. Bldg Committee participation)
Individual Planning- (ie. ICAP development)
Counseling Curriculum
Responsive Services- (ie. Crisis intervention, Suicidal Ideation Assessments, Peer Mediations)
Utilize and adhere to DESE/ASCA professional and ethical standards.
Conduct individual and group counseling sessions for students to address social, emotional, behavioral, and academic concerns.
Design and deliver programs that promote mental health, social-emotional learning, and positive behavior across the school community.
Guide students in developing healthy coping strategies, problem-solving skills, self-awareness, and resilience through individual sessions, small group counseling sessions, and classroom lessons.
Work in collaboration with classroom teachers and school staff to identify student needs, provide classroom support, and share strategies to foster a supportive learning environment through processes such as Care Teams or MTSS Framework.
Engage with parents/guardians to address student concerns, provide resources, and strengthen the home-school partnership in supporting student well-being.
Respond to urgent situations as they arise, providing immediate support to students and collaborating with appropriate personnel for crisis management.
Keep accurate and confidential records of student counseling sessions, evaluations, and progress.
Collaborate in school committees and attend staff meetings, contributing to a supportive and cohesive school community.
Perform other duties as assigned, ensuring non-counseling-related tasks do not exceed 20% of the workday to prioritize comprehensive school counseling services.