Middle School Level Counselor, Maryknoll School

MARYKNOLL SCHOOL

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION NAME: Middle School Counselor

DEPARTMENT/GRADE LEVEL:Middle Level (Grades 6-8)

REPORTS TO: Director of Student Support Services, PK-12

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2023

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, 12 month, Exempt

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Middle School Counselor is responsible for collaborating with the Student Support Services team to establish, maintain and enhance a comprehensive school counseling program addressing academic achievement, career and college planning, and personal and social development for students in the middle level grades. The Middle School Counselor will provide services to meet the needs of assigned students, individually and in group settings; consult with teachers, staff and parents to enhance effectiveness in helping students; and provide support to other campus and schoolwide programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Primary Responsibilities

•Assist students in the areas of academic achievement, college and career planning and in personal, social, emotional development.

•Provide individual and small group counseling in a variety of settings.

•Consult and collaborate with teachers, staff and parents in understanding and meeting the needs of students in the school setting.

•Make appropriate referrals of students and parents to outside agencies and specialists.

•Plans, coordinates and provides classroom guidance to meet the identified guidance and counseling competencies in the areas of academic achievement, career and educationaldevelopment, and personal and social development to assist students in developing decision-making skills and identifying life goals. •Collaborates on the development and implementation of the comprehensive school counseling program with the Director of Student Support Services, t he Elementary Level (grades PK-5) and High School (grades 9-12) counselors.

•Participate in activities that contribute to the effective operation of the school.

•All other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Support Services. Major Responsibilities

•Provide individual counseling to students in any or all of the following areas: academic planning and success, college and career explorations and social/emotional development.

•Conduct structure goal-oriented counseling in systematic response to identified needs of groups of students. Themes may include academic skill building, social skill development, career awareness, conflict resolution, family issues and making healthy choices.

•Assist in the transition from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school.

•Provide individual counseling in response to student, teacher or parent requests.    

•Review and interpret tests, student data and other assessment results appropriately in the counseling setting. •Assist with academic advising and course registration from eighth to ninth grade.

•Review the school counseling program annually with counseling staff and administrators.Consulting

•Provide information and skills to parents, school staff, administration and the community to assist them in helping students in academic, college/career and social development

.•Take a leadership role in the infusion of counseling content into the curriculum, staff development and parent education programs.

•Assist parents in addressing school related problems and issues. Refer students and their parents, as needed, to appropriate specialists, special programs and/or outside agencies.

•Cooperate and collaborate with others in enhancing the education of students. Communicate with the administrators, teachers and staff, parents and students as to the role of the school counseling program in the overall educational process of the school. Individual Planning

•Prepare and communicate Student Accommodation and Academic Support Plans.

•Coordinate parent education programs to assist students in making a smooth transition from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school. Curriculum Management:

•Assist with implementing a social-emotional curriculum / program in the middle level grades.

•Coordinate and lead the Safe Environment training for the middle level grades.

•Plan and deliver developmentally appropriate and relevant counseling curriculum in a systematic manner using diverse strategies and settings.

•Establish a planning calendar for activities.Professionalism:

•Maintains positive and professional relationships with and provides excellent service to all constituents, including but not limited to students, parents, faculty and staff.

•Adheres to the ethical standards and preferred practices of state and national school counselor associations.

•Demonstrates professional responsibility and leadership.

•Demonstrates personal growth and pursues professional development opportunities

.•Demonstrates knowledge of local policies and state and federal laws pertaining to school counseling. •Supports and implements the mission/philosophy of Catholic education and the school

•Participates in building the faith community

•Contributes to a program of public relations that supports the counseling program and Student Support Services Department.

•Participates in school decision-making and in activities that contribute to the effective operation of the school.    

Qualifications & Skills

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

•Prefers Master’s degree in Psychology or School Counseling. Will consider a master’s degree in a related field with relevant work experience.

•Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in school counseling in a middle and/or high school setting.

•Computer and technical competency

•Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, presentation and problem-solving skills.

•Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in teams and empower others.

•Growth mindset with interests in self-development and cultivating leadership.

•Strong organizational skills.

•Willingness to work some nights and weekends.