26-27SY Teacher, Full-time-School Counselor K-6

School District of Philadelphia

10d

About The Position

The School Counselor advises students and provides counseling services that foster academic, personal, social, and career development. The role delivers individual and group counseling and guidance, as well as broad-based programs addressing decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies, and other student needs. The counselor supports students at risk of not reaching their academic potential and serves as a school-based resource for dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness, and crisis prevention and intervention. The position also connects students and families with community and governmental services and collaborates with parents, teachers, and other staff to support students’ educational programs. Depending on the specialty, the position may provide services in a specified world language or in American Sign Language and Signed English; support college planning and achievement in a Middle College setting; or provide academic, college, career, and financial-aid guidance to GEAR UP students. The posting title specifies K-6, while the job summary and duties also refer to secondary and middle school students.

Requirements

Master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited college or university.
For Regular, Sign Language, and GEAR UP 3 specialties, possess a valid Pennsylvania instructional specialist certificate endorsed for Secondary Counselor (or a Guidance Counselor Certificate issued before July 1, 1969), or a valid Pennsylvania Elementary and Secondary School Counselor (PreK–12) certificate.
For the Bilingual specialty, provide an original, signed letter from an accredited college or university Certification Officer verifying current enrollment in an approved School Counselor certification program.
Knowledge of individual and group counseling principles, practices, and theories.
Knowledge of developmental and educational guidance principles, practices, and theories; counseling and guidance techniques and trends at the secondary or middle-school level; adolescent development; group behavior and dynamics; and interpersonal interactions.
Knowledge of communication techniques, current health, economic, and social problems experienced by urban families, and community and governmental support resources.
Ability to provide individual and group counseling and guidance sessions.
Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment when handling sensitive or personal problems and hostile attitudes.
Ability to work effectively with students and families and help them use their capacities to address problems constructively.
Ability to identify signs of substance abuse and students at risk for suicide, and to participate in crisis intervention.
Ability to interpret standardized test scores, marking guidelines, and promotional policies.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and maintain counseling records and related reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
For the Bilingual specialty, knowledge of English and the specified world language, including their history and culture, and fluency in speaking, reading, and writing both languages.
For the Sign Language specialty, knowledge of social and emotional issues related to deafness or hearing impairment, relevant diagnostic and assessment instruments, and deaf and hearing-impaired community history and culture; proficiency in understanding and using Signed English and American Sign Language.

Responsibilities

Provide general school counseling and guidance, including individual and group counseling.
Implement programs addressing decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies, and related issues.
Plan and provide classroom guidance on post-high-school planning, career exploration, family and peer relationships, and decision-making.
Counsel students and parents about issues affecting or potentially affecting academic achievement or social, emotional, or personal development.
Address the needs of students at risk of not attaining their full academic potential.
Support dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness, and crisis prevention and intervention.
Participate in team interventions with other staff to support students.
Collaborate with parents, teachers, and staff to plan and implement comprehensive educational programs for students.
Refer students and families to outside agencies as needed and provide follow-up services.
Gather and disseminate information on issues such as substance abuse, suicide prevention, teen pregnancy, and homelessness.
Maintain current knowledge of school counseling and guidance techniques and trends.
Prepare and maintain counseling records, reports, correspondence, and statistical summaries.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
For the Bilingual specialty, provide counseling and guidance in English and a specified world language and make relevant bilingual materials accessible to students.
For the Middle College specialty, liaise with the college, plan college visits, support postsecondary achievement, monitor college readiness, and coordinate academic interventions.
For the Sign Language specialty, provide counseling and guidance in English, American Sign Language, and Signed English, and make specialized materials accessible to deaf or hearing-impaired students.
For GEAR UP 3, provide academic, college, career, financial-aid, and college-entrance-exam guidance; coordinate college and career events and visits; support mentoring, job-shadowing, and internship programs; maintain program records and data; submit matching-fund documentation and updates; and participate in meetings, site visits, training, professional development, and conferences.