Elementary School Counselor

General Information

ID: 844

Main Organization: Public Schools

Job Status: Full-time

General Statement of Duties 214-day contract

Must have a Master's Degree in School Counseling.

This position, in collaboration with another school counselor, is responsible for the development, management and delivery of a comprehensive elementary school counseling program that addresses the academic achievement, social/emotional development, and career development needs of all students in alignment with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model, ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success and the Standards for School Counseling Programs in Virginia Public Schools.

Essential Duties

• Help students navigate critical and emergency situations; to include recognizing and responding to student mental and/or behavioral health crisis and offering short-term intervention, referral and follow up. Works collaboratively with school-based mental health team in assigned schools.

• Facilitate individual counseling in the form of planned, goal-focused, short-term sessions to assist students in overcoming issues impeding success or expressing difficulties dealing with developmental tasks.

• Provide ongoing small group counseling to students with similar developmental or situational challenges with the goal of achieving healthy personal adjustment and coping with the stress of changing/complex environments.

• Provide school counseling curriculum through regular scheduled instruction in the classroom to promote the knowledge, attitudes and skills students need to achieve academic success, college and career readiness and social/emotional development, including lessons from a CASEL approved targeted curriculum, and lessons in wellness and movement.

• Provide developmentally appropriate activities and initiatives to promote post-secondary readiness for all students, to include college and career awareness and exploration.

• Consult with professionals inside and outside of the school building to assist in identifying and addressing barriers to student achievement. Make appropriate referrals to community services as needed.

• Gather and analyze relevant data to guide annual program planning, inform practice, and evaluate program impact on student achievement, behavior, and attendance.

• Collaborate with school stakeholders to design and implement support services or programs that promote student achievement, attendance, and behavior and advocate for equity and access for all students.

• Analyzing students' abilities, interests, skills and achievement to help them make decisions and develop immediate and long-range educational, career and personal goals.

• Participates on Intervention Team, Child Find, Eligibility, Positive Behavior Interventions & Support (school climate), and VCSIP teams.

• Participate in division, state, and national professional development activities as appropriate and incorporate learning into professional practice.

Performs Other Duties As Required

Must possess thorough knowledge of appropriate counseling interventions in a school setting, with special emphasis on the study of interpersonal relationships, facilitative skills, brief counseling, group dynamics and group learning activities, family systems, multi-cultural and cross-cultural helping approaches, critical incident intervention techniques, threat assessment protocol, and educational and community sources for special school populations.

Must have a thorough knowledge of the curriculum, instruction, social-emotional, counseling/guidance theory and practice. Counseling skills must include problem identification/analysis skills and basic therapy resolution. Communication skills, both oral and written, must be highly developed to meet the diverse needs of the clientele, professional staff, and other community agencies. Must be able to organize and carry out student activity programs; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Additional Information

Henrico County Schools reserves the right to begin screening applications and make a selection at any time during the posting period. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as positions may be filled prior to the posted closing date.

Minimum Requirements

214-day contract

Post-graduate certification/licensure/endorsement in school counseling by the Virginia Department of Education.

Master's degree with emphasis in School Counseling guidance and counseling. Certified Trauma Practitioner preferred.

Background Check Disclosure

Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
• Tuberculosis Screening/Test

Benefits

EEO Statement Henrico County Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. EOE/Accommodations Upon Request