Reports to: Superintendent or designee

General Definition of Work: Is responsible for implementing guidance programs through four identified components. Implements guidance curriculum activities by providing competent and appropriate guidance consultation; implements individual planning by providing assessments, interpreting tests and conducting career and academic counseling; implements responsive services through counseling, consultation and coordination; implements system support through professional developments and management activities

Essential Functions:

• Within the guidance and curriculum component;
• Teaches developmentally appropriate guidance curriculum in classroom or small groups
• Collaborates with teachers in presenting guidance-related curriculum
• Conducts guidance groups on academic or career topics
• Within the individual planning component;
• Provides academic and career awareness for students
• Interprets and disseminates testing information and other appraisal results
• Offers students sessions on special topics, such as test-taking and study-skills as requested
• Presents and works with middle school counselors to ensure smooth transition of students from elementary school to middle school
• Assists kindergarten orientation
• Orients students new to the school
• Within the counseling and responsive services component;
• Provides short-term counseling to individual and small groups of students on social and developmental issues
• Consults with parents, teachers, administrators and others
• Coordinates with school and community personnel to bring together resources and services for students
• Makes referrals to other programs and services when necessary
• Within the system support component;
• Participates in curriculum and staff development activities, serves on advisory committees and attends appropriate meetings
• Plans, implements, monitors and evaluates guidance program
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Performs duties under supervisor of building administration; (bus duty, child study committee, school climate committee, safety team, attendance issues, FAPT, school store, leadership team, FAST, character education, resource teacher, red ribbon, etc.)
• Receives instruction and support from Coordinator of Guidance and Counseling Program
• Acts within the guidelines of School Division’s policies and guidance program as well as the Virginia Department of Education Regulations
• Considers reports from appropriate professional organizations
• Abides by ethical standards defined by the American Counseling Association and the American School Counselor Association
• Highly diverse and complex duties
• Must have a high tolerance for change and the ability to work with frequent interruptions
• Strong interpersonal skills required in working with diverse groups of students and staff
• Must have initiative and assume responsibility for working productively with minimum supervision
• Other duties as apparent or assigned

Education and Job Experience:

Must have a Master’s degree in School Counseling

Minimum of two years teaching and/or counseling experience preferred

Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively with students, teachers, staff, parents and others

Knowledge of comprehensive developmental guidance programs

Knowledge of curriculum and instructional practices

License/Endorsements: Must have a valid state license with an endorsement in school counseling

Contract Period: 10 months

FLSA Status: Exempt

Amherst County Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer