TITLE: Guidance Counselor DEPARTMENT: Academic REPORTS TO: Principal DATE PREPARED/REVISED: August 16, 2023 Job Summary Reporting to the School Principal, the Guidance Counselor will be responsible for working with students, families, and teachers to address challenges related to student health and achievement. Essential Functions
- Aids students with behavioral, mental, emotional, and/or physical problems: counsels students whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical handicap or condition indicates need for assistance; arranges for medical, psychiatric, and other tests and examinations that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures
- Counsels individual and small group sessions as per Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements
- Manages crisis situations as they arise; can expect to be on call for such crises
- Provides individual and group counseling to students and their families on a short-term basis
- Serves as a professional resource for school staff in areas of supporting families and students
- Participates in the creation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), serving as an advocate for the students
- Serves as a member of the school's Holistic Support Team
- Trains staff and parents to provide social/emotional support to students
- Maintains clinical records on case-management services, which includes documenting counseling sessions, and other services
- Provides feedback to teachers, deans and school leaders on how to best support caseload and non-caseload students; consults with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems and effect solutions
- Actively supports teachers in facilitating the school's social-emotional learning curriculum.
- Serves as a consultant to school personnel regarding students or situations that are not referred for direct service
- Designs curriculum and facilitates topic-specific groups, workshops, and drop-in discussion groups to address common social, emotional, and/or behavioral issues
- Assesses high-risk situations; makes immediate recommendations and referrals in efforts to ensure child safety and reduce or eliminate risk factors
- Works with students and families to develop strategies, including providing referrals to outside agencies, for addressing the safety, emotional, and basic needs of the students and their families
- Serves as a liaison and advocate among student, home, school, and community resources, such as family-service agencies, mental-health clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and clergy members
Qualification, Skills, and Knowledge Requirements
- Master of Education (Ed.M.) in School Counseling required
- Minimum of two years of counseling experience in an urban school setting preferred
- Must have provisional school certification
- Bilingual ability in Spanish, French, or Creole is desired
- Shared dedication to GCCS's mission and values
- Required to work late nights, as needed, to support crises and/or to accommodate parent/guardian's schedule
- Familiarity with RULER, our social-emotional program is preferred, but not required
GLOBAL COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL is an equal opportunity employer.