School Counselor (2026-2027 SY)

Danville City School District•Danville, VA

17h

About The Position

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK Under the direction of the principal, the guidance counselor’s responsibility is to guide students toward the fulfillment of their intellectual, physical, and psychological potential. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Preparation/Planning and Assessment Utilizes long-range, sequentially developed planning in the areas of: Counseling Articulation and orientation Educational vocational services Placement facilitation Pupil appraisal, evaluation and assessment Communication Instruction Assists students in carrying out their educational and vocational plans Promotes continuity in the students’ progress from grade to grade, from one school level to another and from school to employment or military service or further schooling Provides for individual differences Employs techniques, materials, instructional aids and community resources Displays knowledge of subject matter and child development related to services provided Management, Safety, and Learning Environment Maintains appropriate confidentiality Maintains accurate student records Gathers and organizes information about students and interprets this information to others as appropriate (teachers, students, parents) Works with administration on school-wide issues Commands respect of students in appropriate settings Student Reactions and Relationships Helps the student identify and understand his or her strengths and needs Assists the student in using available information about him/herself and his/her environment in problem solving and planning Promotes the development of skills that will enable the student to function productively in new situations Promotes critical thinking Recognizes the necessity of staff member-pupil rapport Helps students understand conflict resolution and to develop positive strategies for interpersonal relationships Communication and Community Relations Communicates with parents/guardians appropriately regarding student progress Acts as a liaison between home, school and community agencies Forges partnerships with families to promote student learning at home and at school Participates in establishing favorable school/community relations Works collaboratively with staff, families, and community to support the success of a diverse student population Staff Relationships Assists in the formulation and implementation of policies and/or regulations which are established by the School Board Attends and participates in staff meetings and serves on staff committees Adheres to administrative regulations and directives Cooperates with administrative and supervisory staff in the evaluation process Establishes and maintains cooperative relations with co-workers relative to school matters Professionalism Develops and maintains interpersonal relationships that are pleasant and professional Maintains respect for the worth and dignity of each student Participates in professional meetings and serves on and contributes to special committees Conducts all school related activities in a manner that serves as a positive influence on youth Provides for professional growth through an ongoing program of reading, workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or advanced course work Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day Demonstrates a positive view of the philosophy and objectives of the school to parents and community Abides by adopted board of education policies and procedures Maintains a satisfactory record of punctuality and attendance Accepts and implements constructive criticism Seeks to advance education through individual and group endeavors Exercises prudent judgment Acts to improve total school program

Requirements

Master’s Degree and Postgraduate Professional or Pupil Personnel Services license with school guidance and counseling endorsement (or eligibility for such)
Must be capable of operating various equipment, including computers, copiers, and calculators, as well as driving a motor vehicle.
Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and consistently apply minimal force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects, including the human body.
Ability to compare, evaluate, and assess observable characteristics of data, people, or things, determining their functional or structural similarities and differences.
Ability to effectively communicate with others, providing instructions, assignments, or directions to subordinates and assistants.
Ability to read and comprehend a wide range of materials, including reports, schedules, forms, manuals, invoices, and journals.
Ability to prepare documents such as reports, evaluations, procedures, charts, surveys, and budgets, adhering to proper grammar, punctuation, and style.
Must be able to speak confidently and clearly to large groups.
Ability to apply logical or scientific principles to define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Must be able to interpret complex technical instructions and manage abstract or concrete variables.
Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions.
Must communicate effectively in various technical or professional languages, such as legal, medical, accounting, and marketing terminology.
Ability to use mathematical formulas to perform operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and apply principles of algebra and geometry.
Ability to inspect objects for correct length, width, and shape.
Ability to coordinate hand and eye movements quickly and accurately when using office equipment.
Ability to handle different office equipment and tools, requiring minimal eye/hand/foot coordination.
Ability to distinguish between different colors and shades.
Ability to work with people in various situations, beyond simply following instructions.
Must be adaptable to stressful and emergency situations.

Responsibilities

Utilizes long-range, sequentially developed planning in the areas of: Counseling Articulation and orientation Educational vocational services Placement facilitation Pupil appraisal, evaluation and assessment
Assists students in carrying out their educational and vocational plans
Promotes continuity in the students’ progress from grade to grade, from one school level to another and from school to employment or military service or further schooling
Provides for individual differences
Employs techniques, materials, instructional aids and community resources
Maintains appropriate confidentiality
Maintains accurate student records
Gathers and organizes information about students and interprets this information to others as appropriate (teachers, students, parents)
Works with administration on school-wide issues
Helps the student identify and understand his or her strengths and needs
Assists the student in using available information about him/herself and his/her environment in problem solving and planning
Promotes the development of skills that will enable the student to function productively in new situations
Promotes critical thinking
Helps students understand conflict resolution and to develop positive strategies for interpersonal relationships
Communicates with parents/guardians appropriately regarding student progress
Acts as a liaison between home, school and community agencies
Forges partnerships with families to promote student learning at home and at school
Participates in establishing favorable school/community relations
Works collaboratively with staff, families, and community to support the success of a diverse student population
Assists in the formulation and implementation of policies and/or regulations which are established by the School Board
Attends and participates in staff meetings and serves on staff committees
Adheres to administrative regulations and directives
Cooperates with administrative and supervisory staff in the evaluation process
Establishes and maintains cooperative relations with co-workers relative to school matters
Develops and maintains interpersonal relationships that are pleasant and professional
Maintains respect for the worth and dignity of each student
Participates in professional meetings and serves on and contributes to special committees
Conducts all school related activities in a manner that serves as a positive influence on youth
Provides for professional growth through an ongoing program of reading, workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or advanced course work
Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day
Demonstrates a positive view of the philosophy and objectives of the school to parents and community
Abides by adopted board of education policies and procedures
Maintains a satisfactory record of punctuality and attendance
Accepts and implements constructive criticism
Seeks to advance education through individual and group endeavors
Exercises prudent judgment
Acts to improve total school program