School Counselor

Orange County Public Schools•Orlando, FL

22h

About The Position

The School Counselor provides students with educational, emotional, and social stability through a comprehensive school counseling program and helps students achieve their highest potential in a safe learning environment. The role provides counseling, crisis intervention, career and educational planning, and support to students, parents, teachers, and school staff. The counselor maintains confidential student guidance records, uses student data to develop strategies, and assists the principal and staff in evaluating and improving guidance services.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from an accredited college or university.
Certification or eligibility for certification by the Florida State Department of Education to teach in Florida.
Valid Florida driver’s license.
Knowledge of various counseling techniques.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to analyze educational data, testing instruments, and measurement practices.
Knowledge of crisis prevention and arbitration techniques.
Knowledge of career counseling resources.
Knowledge of district policies and state and national legislation related to guidance and counseling functions.
Ability to operate software applications and perform routine typing and basic computer operations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents, instructors, students, and the public.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and group counseling supporting students’ academic success, self-understanding, communication, decision-making, relationships, conflict resolution, and goal setting.
Provide crisis intervention and follow-up services for concerns such as suicide prevention, child abuse, health issues, and substance abuse.
Hold individual conferences and group meetings with parents to communicate and involve them in improving student performance; refer students and parents to appropriate specialists in accordance with district guidelines.
Maintain student guidance records and confidentiality.
Provide career counseling to students as assigned.
Recommend higher education and college options for admission and scholarships.
Arrange alternative educational processes as needed.
Confer with teachers about possible classroom academic or behavior interventions and modifications.
Identify and evaluate data such as grades, test scores, attendance, promotion rates, graduation, and postsecondary enrollment; use the data to develop strategies that positively impact students.
Guide individuals and groups of students in developing educational plans, career awareness, and personal and social growth.
Assist the principal and staff in evaluating guidance services and provide data to support recommendations for changes to the school program.
Identify students at risk of leaving school and begin a program to improve their educational skills and increase their interest in school.
Develop and provide materials on education, career awareness, and personal and social development for students, teachers, and parents.
Participate in multidisciplinary team staffing for students considered for exceptional student education programs or Section 504 accommodations.
Keep current with job-appropriate technology used by OCPS and attend district-supported training as needed.
Maintain timely and accurate job-related information.
Perform other duties as assigned by the principal.