South Newton School Corporation Position Description

Position Title: Counselor

Department: Elementary

Reports To: Building Principal

Summary: To counsel students in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth need for successful progress in elementary school. To meet the needs of the special education students in an inclusive environment. To counsel students in a confidential, positive manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Assist students with academic, emotional, social or behavioral problems.
• Show concern for the total need of each student (educational, vocational, personal and social), encouraging maximum growth and development.
• Consult with parents/guardians, teachers, support staff, administration and any local agencies which might be of assistance to the students.
• Provide parents/guardians with accurate, comprehensive and relevant information in an objective and caring manner.
• Work with staff to enhance understanding of all aspects of the student's development and its impact on learning.
• Assist parents/guardians in helping students set and achieve goals.
• Aid students in understanding the school environment and what is expected of them.
• Aid students in understanding their strengths and abilities so they may learn more effectively.
• Teach conflict resolution skills.
• Aid students in acquiring an understanding and respect for individual freedoms and rights of self and others.
• Aid in the understanding of the consequences of actions for self and others.

•   Assist students in dealing with a family crisis (e.g. separation, divorce, death, neglect, abuse, unemployment, and alcoholism)

•   Assist with development of students' self-esteem.

•   Provide career education activities for students, including current, up-to-date career awareness and development materials.

•   Provide individual parent conferences for students when necessary.

•   Keep accurate records of all counseling and guidance activities.

•   Inform administration of various student's needs or issues.

•   Assist in appropriate student referrals.

•   Serve as a multidisciplinary team (CARE team) leader and leads all CARE team meetings.

•    Make appropriate referrals to community agencies when necessary.

•    Protect the confidentiality of student records and release personal data in accordance with state laws and Board policies.

•    Establish and maintain a cooperative relationship with faculty, staff and administration to facilitate the provision of optimum guidance and counseling services.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned which are necessary for the daily operation of the school program.

Qualifications Requirements: Masters Degree in School Counseling; Valid Elementary Counseling License; Ability to work with students, staff, and the school community; Ability to speak grammatically correct English

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s Degree.

Language Skills:  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general information, special education procedures from the school and Cooperative School Services, professional journals, and educational research. Ability to fill out reports on Harmony.  Ability to speak using grammatically correct English. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, staff, parents, or general public.

Mathematical Skills:  Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to report and interpret student data.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with students in a variety of situations, such as recess, cafeteria, and classrooms.

Other Skills and Abilities:Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers, and parents; skill in oral and written communication. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on state standards and school goals.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, crawl, crouch, kneel, and stoop. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee must regularly lift 40 pounds and or push/pull up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required b this job include close vision sufficient to read typed or written material.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work is generally performed indoors.