CULVER CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

CLASS TITLE: School Counselor

BASIC FUNCTION

Under the supervision of a site administrator and the coordination of the Director of School and Family Support Services, the school counselor will promote student success through the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses the academic, college and career, and social-emotional needs of all students in traditional and alternative educational settings.  The school counselor will provide both direct services to students (instruction, appraisal & advisement, counseling) and indirect services for students (consultation, collaboration, referrals) through a diversity, equity, inclusion, access and advocacy lens. 

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

GENERAL

• Utilize data-based systems and technology to make decisions regarding the school counseling program.  Use data to develop strategies for closing the achievement gap and implement intentional school counseling activities.
• Use principles of multi-tiered systems of support within the context of a school counseling program to provide instruction and interventions matched to student needs.
• Assess and identify the academic, college and career, and social/emotional needs of students.
• Provide appraisal and advisement in large-group, classroom, small-group and individual settings by assessing student abilities, interests, and achievement to help them make decisions about their future.
• Provide short-term counseling in small-group and individual settings.
• Teach knowledge, attitudes and skills, students need to acquire academic, college/ career and social/emotional development through school counseling lessons that are aligned with the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success. 
• Consult, collaborate and participate with school staff on teams that support student success such as: IEP, 504, SST, SART, SARB, etc.
• Collaborate with school staff to facilitate smooth transitions from elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school, and high school to the world of college and career.  
• Consult and collaborate with education stakeholders for student success. 
• Participate as an active member of the Crisis Management Team.
• Participate in and plan school events and parent engagement activities.
• Participate in site and districtwide collaboration meetings. 
• Use data to monitor student progress within the areas of academics, attendance and behavior.
• Refer students and/or family members to appropriate school and community resources.
• Plan, develop and conduct in-service training for staff as it relates to school counseling.
• Use career development theories to promote and support postsecondary planning.
• Collaborate with the counseling team to plan, develop, implement, evaluate, and articulate the impact of a comprehensive school counseling program and the program’s role connected with the overall school and district plan.
• Prepare and maintain all required records and reports.
• Pursue professional growth opportunities.
• May supervise counseling PPS candidate interns from CCUSD approved universities.  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Academic, social and emotional, and college and career development of school-aged children and adolescents
• Academic expectations for matriculation and graduation  
• Knowledge of suicidality, risk levels and crisis counseling
• Professional Learning Community (PLC) practices
• Effective research based counseling techniques for individual and small groups and interventions for all students 
• Understanding of the cultural, social, economic and environmental influences on student success and opportunities
• American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs
• MTSS - Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports, Restorative Practices, Trauma Informed Practices 
• Applicable federal, state, local laws, district and site regulations, policies, procedures and codes as it relates to providing counseling services to school-aged children and adolescents
• Local agencies, community and school programs, and resources that are available to students and their families

Ability to:

• Establish rapport and build relationships with key stakeholders:  students, families, other educators and the community to support student achievement and success.
• Collect and analyze data to determine individual student needs and counseling program needs.
• Assess risk assessment level and provide crisis counseling.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships and interpersonal skills with others. 
• Support the WHOLE CHILD utilizing inclusive practices through a culturally responsive lens. 
• Demonstrate advocacy for the school counseling program.
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally.  
• Maintain confidentiality including but not limited to information about students and student records.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience: Experience in providing counseling services to children and/or adolescents in a school setting

Education: A Master’s Degree in school counseling or a closely related field

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid California Pupil Personnel Services credential authorizing service as a School Counselor; Bilingual preferred.

WORK CONDITIONS:

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.

Environment 

Office, classroom and home environment

Frequent interruptions and work in high-pressure environment 

Physical Abilities

Sitting, standing, walking, bending and stooping for brief to long periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to follow written procedures; hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone and provide assistance to students and families; seeing to read fine print; lifting objects not to exceed 25 pounds; driving a motor vehicle.

Hazards

Exposure to potentially volatile and emotional students and parents.