TITLE:  Secondary Guidance Counselor

I.       QUALIFICATIONS:

Valid New Jersey Educational Services Certificate as Counselor in Guidance or Student Personnel Services.

• Experience working with a secondary student population.
• It is preferred that candidates have adequate training and experience in bullying and violence prevention, individual and group counseling and substance/alcohol abuse prevent
• Certificate required, experience preferred, NCAA clearinghouse knowledge a bonus.

II.      POSITION SUMMARY:

The Secondary Guidance Counselor reports to the building principal and shall be primarily responsible for all guidance services in the school.  The Secondary Guidance Counselor assists and guides students in meeting educational, occupational, and life plans that hold promise for their personal fulfillment as mature and responsible citizens. Working closely with the parents, students, and staff, the Secondary Guidance counselor will implement counseling, crisis and support services under the supervision of the building principal.

III.     JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

ACADEMIC  

1. Assists students to achieve his/her maximum potential.
2. Provides support and utilizes strategies with students who are under-achieving, chronically absent, in serious academic difficulty, or experiencing social or emotional problems affecting ideas, feelings, behavior, attitudes and opinions.
3. Maintains a weekly log of counseling, intervention, and educational activities.
4. Provides interpretations of school policies, guidance services, and school program to students, parents, and/or the community.
5. Provides interpretations of school policies, guidance services, and school program to students, parents, and/or the community.
6. Acts as a resource to classroom teachers and the principal, directly and indirectly providing strategies for conflict resolution, decision-making, improving communication skills, and other relevant topics.
7. Identifies students with greatest need for intervention in consultation with the appropriate staff and parents.
8. Provides direct assistance as an integral member of the School and District Crisis Management and 504 Committee Teams.
9. Coordinates the Intervention and Referral Services team and assists in the submission of a yearly data report.
10. Conducts conferences with staff and parents.
11. Infuses proactive prevention programs into the overall educational program.
12. Assists administration in all school, district, and state test administration and coordination.
13. Assists administration in the organization and coordination of guidance department programs and presentations
14. Disseminates informative materials to parents as needed.
15. Provides in-service programs, workshops for parents and staff.
16. Provides educational resources for the school community.
17. Assists with course selections and scheduling.

CAREER  

1. Serves as a resource during the transition process to high school and post-secondary transition.
2. Assists students and parents and provides workshops regarding scheduling, the college application process, and transition to other postsecondary options.
3. Assists students in selecting courses aligned to postsecondary goals.
4. Provides career and college  and other applicable transition information/skills consistent with NJCCCS Life and Career Standards.

PERSONAL/SOCIAL  

1. Assists students in the resolution of personal, social and/or educational problems.
2. Intervenes as necessary to enhance the relationships of students with their peers, teachers, and parents, helping students to establish a positive self-concept.
3. Conducts individual and group counseling services.
4. Assists students in developing effective communication skills, learning appropriate behavior patterns, maximizing their capabilities, building skills for coping with life's changes and crises, developing decision-making, and employing personal safety skills.
5. Assists administration as directed regarding harassment, intimidation and bullying investigations, consultations, and interventions.
6. Provides the parents and staff with referrals to outside agencies when appropriate.           
7. Refers students and parents with clinical needs to appropriate mental health centers and other providers.
8. Performs other duties and responsibilities as needed and assigned by the Director of Student Support Services.

Agenda Approved:  12-20-12 Item #H-13-16

SALARY:     In accordance with WEA Collective Bargaining Agreement     The link is available on the Wayne Township Public Schools website under District Info.   

BENEFITS:      Medical, Dental, Prescription, and Vision

Wayne Township School District is a regular school district located in Passaic County with 15 schools, 690 teachers and 7,383 students. Total Revenue is $230,478,000 and is trending up. Wayne Township School District spends $28,440 per student per year on instruction.