School Counselor

Norfolk Public School District•Norfolk, VA

About The Position

A counselor works with individual students, small groups, and in the classroom to enhance students’ chances for success both inside and outside the school. Proactive and intervention services are provided to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve their goals. Spends at least sixty (60) percent of the school day in individual and small group counseling to: Enhance self-concept development. Motivate students for greater academic success. Help prevent students from dropping out of school. Strengthen decision-making skills. Provide conflict resolution techniques. Cope with personal problems related to family and peers. Provide access to post-secondary opportunities. Assist students in evaluating abilities and aptitudes through test interpretation. Sits on Student Support Team. Provides developmental classroom group guidance sessions in conjunction with classroom teachers on peer relations, self-concept development, and decision-making skills. (Elementary) Administers self-concept scale and holds ongoing small group sessions with fourth and fifth grade students scoring in the bottom third on the composite score. (Elementary) Sits on crisis team. (Elementary) Coordinates crisis team and intervention services. (Secondary) Refers students to alternative programs within and outside the school system. Confers with parents. Assists students in course selection based upon educational and career goals; emphasis placed on higher-level courses for all students. (Secondary) Maintains the Career Resource Center and uses the Guidance Information System. (Secondary) Provides developmental classroom and/or large group guidance sessions. (Secondary) Provides students with scholarship information. (Secondary) Supports SAT improvement plan in high school. (Secondary) Aids high school students in the college admissions process. (Secondary) Coordinates the administration of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test in high school. (Secondary) Coordinates the middle school teacher advisor programs and college day teacher advisor activities. (Secondary) Provides individual academic high school planning sessions to eighth grade students and their parents. (Secondary) After hours may be required to handle child abuse cases, suicide intervention, or crisis services.

Requirements

Master’s degree in school counseling.
In possession of or eligible for Virginia Department of Education licensure with appropriate endorsement(s).
Tuberculin skin test certifying the individual is free of contagious tuberculosis.
Ability to counsel individuals and small groups of students.
Interpersonal skills to get along well with students, parents, faculty, and administrators.
Demonstration of small group skills.
In-depth knowledge of counseling theory and services.
Knowledge in use of office equipment.

Responsibilities

Enhance self-concept development.
Motivate students for greater academic success.
Help prevent students from dropping out of school.
Strengthen decision-making skills.
Provide conflict resolution techniques.
Cope with personal problems related to family and peers.
Provide access to post-secondary opportunities.
Assist students in evaluating abilities and aptitudes through test interpretation.
Sit on Student Support Team.
Provide developmental classroom group guidance sessions in conjunction with classroom teachers on peer relations, self-concept development, and decision-making skills.
Administer self-concept scale and holds ongoing small group sessions with fourth and fifth grade students scoring in the bottom third on the composite score.
Sit on crisis team.
Coordinate crisis team and intervention services.
Refer students to alternative programs within and outside the school system.
Confer with parents.
Assist students in course selection based upon educational and career goals; emphasis placed on higher-level courses for all students.
Maintain the Career Resource Center and uses the Guidance Information System.
Provide developmental classroom and/or large group guidance sessions.
Provide students with scholarship information.
Support SAT improvement plan in high school.
Aid high school students in the college admissions process.
Coordinate the administration of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test in high school.
Coordinate the middle school teacher advisor programs and college day teacher advisor activities.
Provide individual academic high school planning sessions to eighth grade students and their parents.
Handle child abuse cases, suicide intervention, or crisis services.