JOB DESCRIPTION: Guidance Counselor
JOB SUMMARY: Under the direction of the School Principal works to help students overcome problems that impede learning and to assist them in making educational, occupational, and life plans that hold promise for their personal fulfillment as mature and responsible men and women.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS*
1. Directs the creation of an individualized educational/occupational program for each student at the school.
2. Aids students in course and subject selection.
3. Assists students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data, and works with students in evolving education and occupation plans in terms of such evaluation.
4. Works to discover and develop special abilities of students.
5. Works to resolve students' educational handicaps.
6. Works to prevent students from dropping out of school.
7. Helps students evaluate career interests and choices.
8. Obtains and disseminates occupational information to students and to classes studying occupations.
9. Obtains and disseminates information about scholarships and financial aid programs for college entrants.
10. Acquaints students (and their parents) with college entrance requirements, and helps them to make a realistic comparison between the student's record and abilities and the specific entrance requirements of the college of interest to the student. Aids the students with all processes of college application, including application for financial aid where needed.
11. Remains readily available to students so as to provide counseling that will lead each student to increased personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity.
12. Maintains and continually updates a directory of referral services to be utilized in crisis situations affecting students such as suicide threats, alcohol or drug induced traumas, and the like.
13. Spends a minimum of 80% of his/her time in direct services to students.
14. Works with students on an individual basis in the solution of personal problems related to such problems as home and family relations, health and emotional adjustment.
15. Plans guidance field trips to schools, colleges, and industry for interested students.
16. Confers with parents or guardians whenever necessary.
17. Takes an active role in interpreting the school's objectives to students, parents or guardians, and the community at large.
MARGINAL FUNCTIONS*
1. Work with staff members to familiarize them with the general range of services offered by the student personnel services department, and to improve the educational prospects of individual students being counseled.
2. Participate in faculty meetings, committees and the sponsorship of student activities.
3. Maintain professional competence through inservice education activities provided by the district and through self selected professional growth activities.
4. Perform other job duties as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Necessary to Performance of Essential Functions:
1. Possess problem solving skills.
2. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, school staff, district staff, and patrons.
3. Communicates effectively.
Required Education and Training for Essential Functions:
1. Valid Utah teaching license and subject specific endorsement, or alternative program leading to license.