School Counslor

Allegheny Intermediate Unit•Homestead, PA

4h•Onsite

About The Position

The School Counselor will plan, provide, and coordinate short-term individual and/or group counseling to students. This role involves facilitating whole class developmental guidance lessons, participating in the Student Assistance Program (SAP), and maintaining communication with various stakeholders including principals, teachers, parents, and external agency personnel. The counselor will also observe students, assist with referral processes for psycho-educational testing and external services, and maintain necessary documentation and inventory. Additionally, the role requires maintaining required certifications and mandated trainings, and performing other assigned guidance-related duties.

Requirements

Educational Specialist Certificate, Elementary Counselor (K-6) and Secondary School Counselor (6-12) are required.
Ability to recognize, categorize, and coordinate appropriate services to address treatable problem areas in a child’s academic, emotional, and social development.
Clinical skills in differentiating typical (developmental) from atypical (non-developmental) behaviors.
Excellent organizational skills, initiative, and an ability to work with limited supervision.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability and experience in working as a member of a team.
Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, PowerPoint, Access, Excel and Outlook, and willingness to experiment and work with new technologies.
Ability to comply with the AIU Conduct policy.
Current Act 114, Act 34 and Act 151 required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date).
School Personnel Health Record (Form H511.340) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date.

Nice To Haves

Experience in public or private school as a counselor or teacher is preferred.
Training and experience in Student Assistance Program (SAP) and Crisis Intervention is preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, provide, and coordinate short-term individual and/or group counseling to students referred by the building principal, teachers, Act 89 staff, SAP Team, and/or parents.
Plan, coordinate and facilitate whole class developmental guidance lessons based upon the needs of the school and consultation with the building principal & teachers.
Annually review and facilitate the referral process for counseling services by meeting with building principals, teachers, Act 89 staff, and parents.
Attend and participate in the SAP process by analyzing data, providing solutions/strategies, and planning appropriate services/resources for all children referred.
Maintain regular communication and consultation with building principals, teachers, Act 89 staff, Equitable Participation (EP) staff, parents, SAP teams, and local service agency personnel.
Observation of students in academic and non-academic settings to assist in the development of strategies and interventions to best meet the needs of students experiencing academic, behavioral and/or social difficulties.
Assist building principal, SAP team, teachers, and parents with procedural guidelines for referring students to EP or the student’s school district of residence for formal psycho-educational testing to address academic and/or behavioral concerns.
Assist building principal, SAP team, teachers, and parents with referring students to appropriate agencies (mental health, drug & alcohol, etc.) in cases where school counseling may not address the student’s needs.
Maintain NPSP Counselor documentation to track student referrals, sessions, and other contacts.
Maintain equipment (includes cell phone, computers, printers, etc.) and supplies inventory annually.
Maintain all required certifications and mandated trainings.
Perform other guidance-related duties as assigned.