Counselor - Lead High School

Position Type:

Professional/Counselor - Lead High School

Date Posted:

2/23/2024

Location:

Waco High Job Title: Counselor - Lead High School

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt/Contract

Reports To: Principal

Pay Grade/Days: 103/226

Dept. /School: Assigned Campus

Date Revised: May 2021

Primary Purpose:

Plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive program of guidance to school assigned, including counseling services. Provide a proactive developmental guidance program to encourage all students to maximize personal growth and development.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Master's degree or current enrollment in a program leading to Master's degree and full counselor certification or

Valid Texas Counselor certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Evidence of leadership skills, especially in the area of diverse populations and at-risk students

Ability to collaborate with diverse staff and community members in the delivery of programs and services to at-risk students

Working knowledge of state codes, governing guidance and counseling services

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Strong computer skills in working with internet and software programs

Strong background in the state HS diploma requirements

Experience

Two years teaching experience

Two years of secondary counseling experience

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Role 1: Guidance and Curriculum

Create and implement a campus guidance curriculum consistent with WISD's guidance curriculum; tailored to campus needs.

Submits monthly guidance lessons to Executive Director of Student Support.

Appropriately schedules presentations of guidance lessons.

Presents the guidance units effectively.

Consults with staff members regarding guidance material for presentations throughout the campus. Role 2: Individual Planning

Advises students in personalized educational and career plans for HS and postsecondary.

Is knowledgeable in principles of testing and measurement in regards to standardized testing.

Maintains the confidentiality of student assessments and records.

Applies campus, district and, state policy in determining student placement and student scheduling.

Reviews transcripts annually in conjunction with the Cohort counselor to ensure accuracy based on district schedule. Role 3: Responsive Services

Maintains an effective referral system for responding to student's needs

Maintains a communication system that effectively collects and disseminates information about students to other professionals as appropriate.

Accurately assesses students' and their families' needs for referral and makes referrals to appropriate agencies and services

Participates actively in the process for referral of students to school/district special services and/or programs

Responds to students individually as needed.

Appropriately and effectively provides group counseling as needed.

Consults with parents, teachers, counselors, administrators and, other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students.

Work closely, acting as a liaison, with all stakeholders to identify, track, prevent, recover, or discourage potential dropouts, students who are at risk of failing, or students wishing to maintain and/or accelerate their education toward continuation and/or completion. Role 4: System Support

In collaboration with Associate Principal, plans and supports summer school program.

Assists with coordination of TSI, AP, credit by exam, and administering college placement exams.

Pursues continuous professional growth and development for the counseling team.

Maintains professional records.

Participates in and/or provides programming for enhancing the school climate. Role 5: Professionalism

Creates an atmosphere in which confidence, understanding and respect result in healthy relationships.

Adheres to the ethical standards of the Texas and American School Counselor Association.

Actively participates in appropriate in-service activities as well as faculty, district, and service center meetings.

Observes relevant legal standards.

Respectfully communicates and problem solves with students and staff.

Exhibits technological skills.

Follows school policies, i.e., completing daily time requirements, dressing professionally, attending meetings, etc.

Establish and maintain a professional relationship with all colleagues, students, parents, and community services/contacts.

Maintains membership in appropriate organizations.

Positively supports campus and/or district-wide initiatives.

Perform other duties as assigned. Role 6: Leadership

Reviews all Senior Cohort transcripts before graduation for accuracy and in coordinating with Director of Account Systems completeness.

Develops or modifies work plans and determines work priorities based on district and campus data.

Collaborates and serves as a campus liaison to the Office of Secondary Education and cohort counselor.

Collaborates with the campus registrar on finalizing and sending transcripts to colleges.

Reports situations that may be the cause for disciplinary action and provides this information to the supervisors.

Resolves problems encountered during daily operations and determines the appropriate solutions.

Assist with the creation of the yearly Master Schedule and coordinates the resolution of all course conflicts.

Attends all Cohort meetings with the Cohort counselor and Leadership.

Collaborate with CTE Dean, middle schools, and creating a four-year plan.

Ensure the course requests are complete for the following year.

Attendance Appeal Committee.

Coordinates with the principal on referrals for Brazos placement.

Assist with all testing including STAAR EOC, TSI, ACT, and SAT. Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Use of computers and related technology.

High pressure, fast pace, multiple deadlines, people-intensive, frequent public contact.

Extensive non-duty days may not be taken in the summer weeks when other counselors are off duty.

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

Non Discrimination Statement

The Waco Independent School District is an equal opportunity educational provider and employer who does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information or non-proficiency in English language skills in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and school board policy not to discriminate in such a manner.

For information about your rights or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX, please email or contact Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at or Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Support at . For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI and Title VII, as amended, contact the Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at . For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, contact Waco ISD Special Education Executive Director at or write to P.O. Box 27, Waco, TX, 76703.