Job Description:
Title: High School Counselor
Reports To: Director of Guidance/Principal  
Performance Evaluation: Annually by the principal or designee
Terms of Employment:  Full Time: Permanent
Primary Function:  To assist students in educational, personal/social and career development.
Salary Range:  Based on NLEA Contract

Typical Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Developing, implementing, and managing school guidance programs.
2. Working with students in individual, small-group, and classroom settings.
3. Assisting students with creating an academic plan for their education.
4. Encouraging students to remain in school and actively working to lower dropout rates.
5. Helping students plan for college or a successful career after graduation.
6. Working with students to develop critical life skills such as organization, time management, and effective study habits.
7. Collaborating with other educators and administrators to ensure counseling programs meet school goals.
8. Monitoring and recording student progress to ensure counseling programs are effective.
9. Evaluating each student’s abilities and interests through aptitude assessments, interviews, and individual planning.
10. Identifying and mitigating issues that affect school performance, such as poor classroom attendance rates.
11. Helping students understand and overcome social or behavioral problems through classroom guidance lessons and counseling.
12. Collaborating with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed.
13. Teaching students and school staff about specific topics, such as bullying, drug abuse, and planning for college or careers after graduation.
14. Reporting possible cases of neglect or abuse and referring students and parents to resources outside the school for additional support. 

Required Qualifications:

• Connecticut Certification as a Counselor (068)
• Master’s Degree
• Thorough understanding of the American educational system, including social, cultural, and political influences on educational practices
• Knowledge of the organizational structure and elements of a successful school counseling program
• Understanding of leadership theories and principles, developmental theory, social justice theory, learning theories, multiculturalism, and career counseling theories
• Knowledge of the full continuum of mental health care services, such as prevention and intervention
• Thorough understanding of barriers to student learning and the use of counseling strategies to eliminate those barriers
• Knowledge of individual counseling, group counseling and classroom instruction that promote academic achievement
• Understanding of the legal, professional, and ethical issues that affect American schools
• Such additional requirements as the Board may consider advisable and acceptable

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual (English and Spanish)
• Ability to establish and maintain high standards of behavior
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students, administration, parents, and community members
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of students, parents, and teachers under the guidelines of FERPA and Mandatory Reporting principles
• Ability to maintain objectivity and be nonjudgmental to make a fair determination of events not based on hearsay or bias
• Be able to properly handle difficult situations
• Be honest with students, teachers, and parents to gain their trust in order to determine the problem and seek the proper intervention.

New London Public School District is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Candidates from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.