SY 26-27 School Counselor - Elementary

Lynchburg City Schools•Lynchburg, VA

5h•Onsite

About The Position

The School Counselor - Elementary position at Sheffield Elementary School is responsible for helping all students develop skills in personal/social growth, educational planning, and career and vocational development. This role involves providing orientation to and interpretation of tests, assisting in administering tests, and implementing a broad-based career development program. The counselor will also lead group guidance activities to provide information, build skills, foster personal growth, and assist with decision-making. A key function is ensuring that 60% of the counselor's time is dedicated to counseling with students, including individual and group counseling. The role also requires working with other school personnel to identify students with special needs, acting as a liaison between the school and community, maintaining accurate student records, and assisting students and parents with class and grade level placement for maximum development. The counselor will stay current with guidance services research and provide staff development for teachers and school staff on their involvement in the guidance program. Other duties will be assigned by the principal and guidance director.

Requirements

Master's degree in guidance counseling required.
Candidate must possess or be eligible for a Virginia Teacher's license in School Counseling, PreK-12.
Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development.
Knowledge of counseling theories, techniques, and best practices.
Knowledge of academic, career, and social-emotional development standards.
Knowledge of crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and behavior management strategies.
Skilled in individual and group counseling techniques.
Skilled in crisis prevention, intervention, and response.
Skilled in effective verbal and written communication.
Skilled in collaborating with students, families, staff, and community agencies.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Ability to develop and implement comprehensive school counseling programs.
Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to facilitate classroom guidance lessons and group activities.
Ability to advocate for student needs and promote student success.
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Reliable transportation necessary.
Minimal travel within the City of Lynchburg as needed.

Nice To Haves

Teaching experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides for the orientation to and interpretation of tests, and assists in administering tests.
Provides a broad-based career development program, including awareness, exploration, and preparation activities at various grade levels.
Provides for group guidance activities in order to provide information, skill building, opportunities for personal growth and development, orientation, and assistance in decision-making.
Ensures that 60% of each counselor's time is spent counseling with students. Individual counseling (one-on-one) and group counseling (growth-engendering or remedial) are activities included in the 60% time category.
Works in cooperation with other school personnel in identifying students with special needs.
Provides liaison for collaboration between the school and community.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date permanent records as outlined in the Management of the Student's Scholastic Record in the Public Schools of Virginia.
Assists each student and his/her parents/guardians in planning the best possible placement in classes and grade levels, in order that the student may attain maximum development.
Keeps abreast of research as it relates to guidance services.
Provides staff development activities for teachers and school staff regarding their involvement in the guidance program.
Performs other duties as assigned by the principal and guidance director.