Specialist - Elementary Guidance and Counseling

ROLE AND PURPOSE :

The Guidance and Counseling Elementary Specialist will provide leadership and direction to Elementary Counselors. The Elementary Specialist will support Elementary Counselors in identifying therapeutic modalities that meet the developmental needs of students, provide leadership and resource assistance in implementing a comprehensive guidance program and support the achievement of district goals and initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Education / Certification :

• Master's Degree from Accredited College or University
• License or Certification in School Counseling

Experience :

• Two Years Teaching Experience
• Three Years Elementary Counseling Experience (preferred)
• Management / leadership experience (preferred)

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS :

• Demonstrate proficiency in the four components of a comprehensive school counseling program (Guidance Curriculum, Individual Counseling, Responsive Services and Systems Support).
• Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, principles and methodologies of school counseling including; individual and group counseling, preventive curriculum development, research and evaluation, and student placement.
• Demonstrate knowledge of local and state laws governing school counseling programs and academic records.
• Demonstrate ability in decision making, problem analysis, conflict resolution and long-term planning.
• Demonstrate leadership and project organizational skills (planning, implementing and evaluating).
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication.
• Demonstrate ability to stay calm and focused in dealing with crises.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and familiarity with elementary school counseling support systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to handle multiple tasks and plan and schedule priorities accordingly.
• Proficient in software applications such as Microsoft Office (Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES :

INSTRUCTIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Coordinate and facilitate trainings / professional learning and coaching support systems that assist elementary counselors in the development and implementation of a comprehensive guidance program that supports the district's mission and goals.
• Assist Director of Guidance and Counseling with facilitating recommendations for revision of the guidance curriculum and leading summer curriculum writing in collaboration with elementary counselors.
• Maintain a systemic guidance curriculum that support lessons around the SEL guidance competencies, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
• Train and support campuses with SEL professional development and SEL training for staff.
• Maintain the elementary guidance curriculum shared google document.
• Assist in the development, selection and dissemination of counseling materials that support a preventive guidance curriculum.
• Implement systematic professional development and support elementary counselors on maintaining student records.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment of professional learning related to academic and social / emotional support for all students.
• Provide social and emotional support with targeted individual and group counseling sessions around the SEL competencies.
• Support counselors in the development of parent education and student transition programs.
• Coordinate, promote and oversee district-wide House Bill mandates around Bullying Prevention and Suicide Prevention Initiatives with innovation.
• Maintain district-wide suicide prevention protocol manual.
• Provide training on theories and techniques for interventions to implement in responsive services for at-risk students.
• Coordinate trainings and coaching support systems that promote Trust Based Relation (TBRI) Initiative district-wide.
• Support counselors and campuses with the implementation of all programs related to college and career awareness.
• Provide consultation to school administrators and counselors regarding academic and social / emotional needs of students.

SCHOOL / ORGANIZATION CLIMATE

• Maintain professional relationships conducive to cooperation and teamwork.
• Promote high expectations for performance and positive staff morale in working with school counselors, administrators, and central office personnel.
• Schedule regular elementary campus support visits throughout the school year.
• Promote an empathetic approach to serving counselors and the campus communities as a whole.
• Exhibit honesty, integrity, dependability, competence, and a professional attitude in the performance of duties and responsibilities.

SCHOOL / ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT

• Stay current and knowledgeable of current research, techniques, practice, legislature, state policies and laws in the profession.
• Assist with maintaining the Guidance & Counseling Department's website.
• Update and maintain elementary handbooks, forms, guides and documents.
• Assist elementary lead counselors with facilitating new counselor trainings.
• Attend and help facilitate elementary operational meetings.
• Participate on the district Responding to Crises Team.
• Support and monitor campus counseling program data collection.
• Assist with the coordination of the Community Resource Fair and the Career Exploration.
• Coordinate with HR placement of interns and practicum students on secondary campuses.

ADMINISTRATION AND FISCAL / FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

• Display a strong ability to work independently as a self-starter with excellent time management.
• Exhibit a high proficiency in computer usage.
• Exhibit a high proficiency in counseling techniques and strategies.
• Maintain and keep current online resource platform for elementary counselors.
• Maintain a list of available family counseling agencies and have information available to counselors.

STUDENT MANAGEMENT

Consult with campus and district personnel, as well as parents and mental health agencies, in order to provide guidance on direct student support systems that provide for safe student and campus supports.

SCHOOL / COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• Schedule regular secondary campus support visits throughout the school year.
• Maintain a high level of integrity and service at all times.
• Apply good public relations skills when working with district personnel and community members.
• Serve as a member of community organizations as appropriate.
• Adhere to ethical, legal and professional standards.
• Promote a positive image of the district and maintain a positive working relationship with parents, school district staff, and community organizations.
• Establish positive and productive working relationships with campuses and central office staff.
• Research and become familiar with district policies, procedures, and practices prior to taking action.
• Adhere to confidentiality laws in the conduct of district business.

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Pursue continuous professional growth.
• Attend three hours of ethics training each year.
• Seek, accept, and respond to coaching and feedback from supervisor, staff, and peers.
• Maintain a network of professional colleagues, membership in professional associations, attendance at relevant conferences, and exposure to professional literature in the area of school counseling, elementary academics and student safety.
• Exhibit flexibility in the performance of assigned duties.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Effectively utilize leadership skills to coordinate student and campus support.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Perform other duties assigned by the Director of Guidance and Counseling.
• Hours may be irregular and prolonged to meet the needs of the program.
30+ days ago