Posting Dates:  June 1, 2020- July 31,2020

Location:  County itinerant

Salary:  Based upon degree and experience

Certification:  School counselor PK-AD

Employment Term:  200 days; 2020-2021 school year

Budget Source:   State Aid/Local

Supervisor:  Principal Assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Appropriate certification for the position as required by WV Policy 5202
• Experience with school-age children is preferred
• Ability to successfully work with parents, staff, and students
• Ability to successfully carry out the responsibilites of the position
• Meet professional responsibilities
• Clearance of any criminal convictions as listed in House Bill 146
• Satisfactory previous evaluations
• Satisfactory references concerning past work performance
• Applicants who have had their contracts non-renewed for cause by another school distrct are not eligible for consideration.

Performance Responsibilities:

Individual Inventory - work cooperately with other staff members in:

• Collecting pertinent data to add to student records
• Organizing and administering a standardized testing program
• Interpreting data to students for self-understanding
• Interpreting data to parents and teachers to foster better understanding

Counseling and Guidance

• Arrange counseling time to include conferences for students on voluntary or referral basis
• Provide counseling in groups for students with special problems and needs
• Assist students in setting goals, in adopting values, and in applying decision-making skills
• Assist students in understanding self and in developing a desirable personality
• Assist students in understanding career opportunities and the world of work
• Assist students in understanding educational opportunities including the school curriculum
• Identify students with special needs/abilities
• Refer students needing special assistance to other specialists in the school and community
• Utilize a variety of media and resources to assist students in understanding and decision-making
• Work cooperatively with other counselors and administrators to determine guidance objectives

Consultation

• Work with teachers and administrators to assist with appropriate placement of students in courses and grade levels
• Assist teachers in correlating guidance with classroom instruction
• Utilize teachers as resource persons in providing information to individuals and to groups on carreers, educational opportunities, curriculum and personal-social concerns
• Utilize persons and agencies in the community as resources
• Communicate with parents through calls, letters, home visits, group meetings, etc.

Professional Attitudes and Conduct

• Respect the dignity and worth of every individual
• Be sensitive to students and develop rapport with them
• Respect the confidence of students, parents, and school personnel
• Adhere to ethical practices
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for and dedication to his/her work
• Use correct and effective speech
• Use tact and good judgement
• Be open to new ideas, viewpoints and procedures and accept and adjust to change
• Use initiative and provide leadership to the development of guidance services
• Pursue further education through courses and professional reading
• Use discretion when discussing school affairs
• Analyze situations objectively before reacting
• Work effectively with other staff members
• Adjust to new and/or changed conditions
• Comply with policies of Preston County Schools
• Complete reports promptly, neatly, and accurately
• Take pride in personal appearance
• Refrain from criticizing co-workers
• Accept constructive criticism in a professional manner
• Initiate objective evaluation of work
• Face limitations realistically and take positive action to overcome them
• Be self-motivated
• Actively participate in in-service programs and make constructive suggestions for the improvement of the instructional program
• Consistently make constructive contribution to student learning within department

Instruction

• Use a variety of counseling methods, strategies and materials
• Provide opportunities for students to communicate ideas and feelings effectively with other persons
• Prepare counseling experiences for students which achieve objectives of the program.
• Maintain accurate records of students' progress and report progress to students and parents according to established procedures.
• Assess the progress of students on a regular basis
• Evaluate guidance services

Professional

• Cooperate with principals, faculty and central office supervisor to schedule location and time for instruction
• Attend and participates in faculty meetings when the counseling program is involved
• Exhibit work habits which reflect confidentiality, punctuality, dependability, efficiency, accuracy, and a positive attitude
• Strives to improve professional competence through courses, workshops, professional reading, conferences, etc.
• Confers with colleagues, students and/or parents as necessary
• Assist in the selection of instructional materials for counselors in the formulation and implementation of approved counseling programs.