Provides counseling services that foster the academic, personal, social and career development of all students. Provides individual/group counseling and guidance for students and implements broad based programs that deal with decision making, conflict resolution, self esteem, coping strategies and other issues. Serves as both the primary agent for addressing issues that impact on students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential and the school based resource for dealing with child abuse/neglect and crisis prevention/intervention. Acts as a liaison between the school and various community/governmental agencies that may provide services to students and their families and participates on the school's multi-disciplinary committee. For bilingual Counselors, Communicates with bilingual student/families using English and a specified world language. Acts as a liaison between the school and various community/governmental agencies that may provide services to students and their families.

Essential Functions

• Provides general school counseling and guidance programs and services including individual and group counseling and guidance.
• Implements broad based programs dealing with decision-making, conflict resolution, self esteem, coping strategies and other issues.
• Plans and provides classroom guidance focusing on social and emotional issues, family and/or peer relationships and decision-making.
• Provides formal and informal counseling services to students and their parents concerning issues that are affecting or may affect the students' school adjustment.
• Serves as the primary agent for addressing issues that impact on students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential.
• Serves as the school based resource for dealing with child abuse/neglect and crisis prevention/intervention.
• Participates in team interventions with other staff to support students.
• Participates on the school's multi-disciplinary team that includes other staff members.
• Collaborates with parents, teachers and other staff in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive educational program for students.
• Makes referrals to outside agencies as needed and provides ongoing follow-up services to students and their parents.
• Gathers and disseminates information on critical issues such as student substance abuse, child abuse/neglect, suicide prevention/intervention, preteen/teen pregnancy and homelessness.
• Keeps abreast of current techniques and trends in school counseling and guidance for elementary and /or middle school students.
• Prepares and maintains student counseling records; prepares reports on students, correspondence and statistical summaries.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with representatives of various community/governmental agencies to facilitate the availability and accessibility of services to meet the needs of students and their families.
• for Bilingual Counseling positions,
  • Provides students and families with general school and guidance programs and services in a specified world language as well as English.
  • Creates an environment in which students have access to bilingual counseling/guidance materials that address their needs and interests.
  • Keeps abreast of current techniques and trends in bilingual school counseling and guidance

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All Specialties

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the principles, practices and theories of individual/group counseling.
• the principles, practices and theories of developmental/educational guidance.
• the current techniques and trends in counseling and guidance at the secondary/middle school level.
• theories and principles of adolescent development, individual/group behavior, group dynamics and interpersonal interactions.
• communication skills and techniques.
• the current health, economic and social problems experienced by urban families.
• the functions and resources of community/governmental agencies that provide support services for students and their families.
• for bilingual positions, both English and the specified world language, including history and culture.

Demonstrated ability to

• provide counseling and guidance on an individual/group basis and to conduct group support/guidance sessions.
• employ tact, diplomacy and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive or personal problems and hostile attitudes.
• work effectively with students and their families and to aid them in the constructive use of their capacities to address their specific problems.
• identify the signs of substance abuse and students at risk for suicide.
• understand and interpret standardized test scores, marking guidelines and promotional policies.
• participate in crisis intervention.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• prepare and maintain student-counseling records, reports, correspondence and statistical summaries.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• for bilingual positions, fluently speak, read and write both English and the specified world language.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in school counseling at an accredited college or university.

Certificates/Licenses

Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania instructional specialist certificate endorsed for Secondary Counselor (or Guidance Counselor Certificate issued prior to July 1, 1969)

OR

Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Elementary and Secondary School Counselor (PreK - 12) certificate.

OR

Presentation of an original, signed letter from the Certification Officer of an accredited college or university verifying current enrollment in an approved School Counselor certification program with a graduation date of August 16, 2021 or earlier.