Description
Marion County School District
JOB DESCRIPTION:
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
The MCSD counselor is a highly qualified instructional leader and is responsible for many aspects in an effective school. The counselor will have specific responsibility for supervising and assisting students with academic, career and personal/social goals; developing a functional master schedule; collaborating with teachers, other professional staff, and administrators in addressing instructional and/or student issues; and responding to a wide range of inquiries from students’ parents or guardians regarding student progress, instructional program and post-secondary goals.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
• Hold at least an active/valid Class “AA” teaching license issued by the Mississippi Department of Education and endorsed in the appropriate guidance areas
• Meet all other qualifications/requirements as established by the school district and Mississippi Department of Education
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of the counseling area
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in basic computer applications in a professional capacity
REPORTS TO:
Principal and/or his/her Designee
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:
The counselor shall:
A. Provide support services (appraisal, academic, and/or personal advisement, and educational and/or career planning and referral) for all students commensurate with their goals and interests and which promote high expectations for all students.
B. Effectively manage Transcripts, sending and receiving as necessary.
C. Oversee and manage Career Pathways implementation and continuation as required for all students by District and State policy.
D. Develop a functioning master schedule in collaboration with the Principal and leadership team which best fits the educational requirements and needs of the students.
E. Provide group and individual counseling as needed.
F. Continually monitor student records to intercept and address poor grades, low attendance, failure to be promoted, and classroom disengagement.
G. Coordinate and/or Participate with all State and District testing as assigned.
H. Maintain permanent record files based on the current state-approved guidelines for cumulative records.
I. Refer children, with parent/guardian knowledge and permission, with suspected emotional and/or psychological problems to qualified personnel and/or mental health resources for assistance.
J. Comply with response management as outlined in the MS Counseling Model
K. Coordinate college/career program that provide students with information.
L. Provide counseling services and assist teachers with students who are habitual
discipline problems.
M. Assist, through academic counseling, college-bound seniors with the registration
process for A.C.T. (American College Test).
N. Assist, through career counseling, students with vocational post-secondary goals.
O. Assist, through academic/career counseling, students and parents/guardians with
federal and state financial assistance for post-secondary educational and vocational
goals.
P. Assist, through academic and career counseling, students and parents/guardians in
obtaining scholarships and grants as needed to pursue their educational and career
goals.
Q. Assist in preparing and presenting drug education materials to students.
R. Assist students in obtaining scholarships and grants as needed to pursue their
educational and career goals.
S. Monitor student performance by becoming thoroughly familiar with the student’s
records and utilizing test data to improve scheduling.
T. Effectively communicate with parents and students and provide timely feedback on
course progress and requirements.
U. Be responsible for active supervision of students (e.g. classroom, playground,
hallways, restrooms, fieldtrips, bus loading zones, etc.) as required by MCSD policy.
V. Report and respond to incidents and situations (e.g. fights, suspected child abuse,
suspected substance abuse, harassment, bullying, etc.) for the purpose of
maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment
and adhering to state and local policies.
W. Participate in professional and staff development activities.
X. Cooperate with local and district staff in planning and implementing system-wide
goals and objectives.
Y. Attend regular and called faculty meetings.
Z. Upgrade teaching/counseling certificate as required by state certification standards
and local policy.
AA. Be punctual and conscientious in school attendance and participate in school
related and athletic functions as assigned by the principal.
BB. Clear any absence, as far in advance as possible, with the principal or his/her
designee.
CC. Assist in upholding and enforcing school rules and regulations, administrative
procedures, and School board policies.
DD. Work collegially with other teachers and staff in the sharing of ideas and skills.
EE. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the principal, in order to
contribute to an effective school operation.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• FSLA Status: Exempt
• Salary is established by Board policy
EVALUATION:
Performance in this position will be evaluated by the Principal in accordance with
provisions of the MCSD policies
OTHER PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Follows the Mississippi Code of Ethics
• Follows Marion County School District Board Policies
• Work Habits:
? Observes assigned work hours
? Maintains a pattern of prompt and regular attendance
? Follows the daily schedule as prescribed
? Adjusts to work assignments and/or schedule changes
• Personal Qualities:
? Demonstrates a positive attitude toward work assignments
? Accepts responsibility for the work assigned
? Maintains appropriate appearance and personal hygiene
? Accepts constructive criticism