School Counselor Role

 School counselors are advocates who provide support to maximize student potential and academic achievement while serving the needs of a diverse student population. In collaboration with all educators, families and the community, school counselors create a support system through individual and small-group counseling, responsive services and leadership. As a result of the school counselor, students will acquire skills and knowledge for college and career readiness and become civically minded members of society. 

The successful candidate possesses:

• Knowledge of Common Core Learning Standards and College and Career Readiness skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff members, and administrators;
• Ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, parents and the community;
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Strong foundation in the principles of anti-racism, trauma-sensitivity, and culturally-responsive education.
• Takes a strengths-based, advocacy approach to working with students and families;
• Strives to grow and learn in a team-oriented, collaborative environment. 
• NYS School Counselor Certification

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Developing/implementing a comprehensive school counseling program in collaboration with other school counselors.
• Working with students individually and in groups. 
• Participation in the CSE process as appropriate;
• Assisting students with personal goal setting, action planning, and progress-monitoring
• Providing support in pathways for college and/or career readiness, and long-term post-secondary planning.
• Providing responsive services to include individual and small group counseling, and comprehensive Tier 1 programs and interventions.

• Consultation and collaboration with teachers, staff and parents/guardians; referrals to and consultation with outside service providers and community resources.
• Serving as a member of the School Based Support Team, Committee on Special Education, 504 Committee, Cohort Team, and other groups as appropriate.
• Providing classroom guidance instruction to students in several areas to include college and career readiness, study and organizational skills, self-awareness and identity development, and social/emotional learning.
• Assisting administrators with mediating student conflicts and partnering with parents and other stakeholders to identify barriers to learning, and design personalized interventions. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This position involves responsibility for patrolling over swimmers in a public pool or public beach.  The incumbent must exercise sound judgment in emergencies.  An error in judgment might result in loss of life.  Direct supervision is received from a higher level supervisor.  Does related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Stands watch or patrols swimmers in a public pool or beach and assists them when they are in difficulty;
• Applies first aide, advanced lifesaving techniques and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) when necessary;
• Instructs beginners in swimming;
• Keeps the beach or pool area free of glass and other debris;
• Performs other routine duties such as repairing equipment;
• Maintains order and enforces compliance with beach rules;
• Performs a variety of related duties as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Good knowledge of first aid, advanced life saving and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques; ability to swim well; ability to deal with the public and to secure cooperation; ability to keep records and to make simple reports and arithmetic computations; good observation; mental alertness.