Little Lake City School District

K-8 School Counselor

 Basic Function:

Under the direction of the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services, the K-8 counselor works closely with the school, district and community personnel in the support of a counseling and guidance program which assists each student in establishing short and long range goals and in developing programs to meet these goals; and to perform other duties directly related to this position description.

Representative Duties:

• Counsels students in groups and individually regarding personal and/or social issues, such as anger management, bullying, peer relationships and academic or life skills
• Collaborates with teachers, staff and parents in understanding and meeting the needs of students including being a resource to teachers; provides leadership in incorporating counseling and guidance materials into curriculum, staff development and parent education programs; assists families with school related problems and issues
• Refers students and their parents to appropriate resources, special programs, or outside agencies; refers to community-based resources including psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, services agencies, as needed
• Collaborates with other professionals in enhancing the education of students; establishes and maintains effective relationships with staff and administrators; communicates with administrators, teachers, staff, students, parents, and the community regarding the counseling and guidance program and its role in the educational program
• Provides crisis counseling during critical incidents or other situations as needed
• Participates in conferences with parent, staff and social agencies regarding students.
• Provides consultation to parents regarding specific issues that interfere with school and success
• Provides the professional staff with information and support regarding student needs as they apply to school curriculum and school climate
• Assists in developing prevention and early intervention programs which address identified student needs
• Identifies pupil needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping pupils solve attitude and learning problems
• Participates in conferences with students, parents, staff, social agencies and other significant persons regarding student progress in the cognitive, affective, and behavior domains
• Works with teachers in the classroom on problem prevention and assists in monitoring at risk students
• Performs other duties as assigned or as directed under the guidance of the site administrator or the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services

ABILITY TO:

• Interact with hostile or abusive individuals with unpredictable behaviors
• Prepare and maintain confidential records
• Counsel effectively with students and parents
• Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations
• Stand and circulate for extended periods of time
• Communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation, using telephone for prolonged periods of time

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Hold an appropriate California Pupil Personnel Services Credential or valid emergency certification issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

WORKING CONDITIONS:

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Classroom, office, and outdoor work environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• Exposure to students who may become hostile or disorderly and who exhibit physical aggression 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, lift, and stand for prolonged periods; see to read fine print and for close vision, distance vision, and depth perception; use hands and fingers to perform tasks; speak clearly and hear well enough to communicate effectively
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds