School Counselor (EOY - End of Year)

Loudoun County Public Schools•Ashburn, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The School Counselor helps students overcome problems that impede learning and assists them in making educational, occupational, and life plans appropriate to their age and maturity level. The role supports students in developing as productive citizens and reaching their potential to live full, useful lives. The counselor supports students’ personal-social, mental health, academic, and college and career readiness needs. The position provides individual and small-group counseling, classroom instruction, and a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with Virginia Department of Education and American School Counselor Association standards. The counselor uses outcome-oriented data to evaluate the program and student outcomes, collaborates with students, families, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders, and contributes to staff development and a positive school climate. This is an 11-month position of 213 days, with 7.5 hours per day. The position is not eligible for remote work and reports to the Principal.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and completion of an approved school counseling program.
Successful full-time teaching or school guidance and counseling experience.
Eligibility for appropriate licensure.
Knowledge of the structure and components of an effective school counseling program.
Knowledge of barriers to student learning.
Knowledge of data-driven school counseling practices.
Knowledge of individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom instruction methods, techniques, and best practices.
Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional issues in public education.
Knowledge of learning and counseling theories.
Ability to use technology effectively and efficiently to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate school counseling services.
Ability to collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders, and other stakeholders to promote and support student success.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
An active Virginia Department of Health Professionals Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) license may be considered in lieu of the stated education and licensure requirements; a Licensed Clinical Psychologist or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) may also be eligible.

Responsibilities

Support the personal-social, mental health, academic, and college and career readiness needs of every student in the building.
Provide individual counseling for personal problems involving home and family relations, peer relations, health, emotional adjustment, personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity.
Conduct small-group counseling on student-selected and data-driven topics, including study skills, social skills, anger management, self-esteem, changing families, and grief.
Create and provide classroom lessons every two to three weeks on personal-social development, career and college readiness, and bullying prevention, based on Virginia Department of Education and American School Counselor Association standards.
Develop a Comprehensive School Counseling Program that supports the American School Counselor Association Recognized ASCA Model Program.
Collect, analyze, and report outcome-oriented data on counseling program effectiveness, with an emphasis on equity and a student-centered approach.
Use data to identify trends and concerns, communicate results and implications to stakeholders, and assist counselors in measuring and reporting their work's effectiveness.
Use technology consistently and monitor student outcomes to demonstrate fidelity to school counseling best practices.
Provide in-service school counseling training for staff.
Collaborate with administrators and faculty on student discipline, developmental issues, and identification of significant behaviors such as suicide, self-harm, and depression.
Foster professional growth and a positive climate of support; keep current with research, participate in professional organizations, and inform staff about state and national school counseling issues and trends.
Collaborate with families, school staff, administrators, and other educational stakeholders to support student achievement and wellness.
Interpret school objectives to students, parents, and the community, and confer with parents when necessary.