Counselor - Elementary

Wake County Public School System; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake County Public School System seeks a School Counselor to implement a comprehensive counseling program addressing academic, career, and personal/social development for all students. The role collaborates with teachers to promote social-emotional learning and works with students individually or in small groups on study skills and organization.

The counselor will respond to crises, participate in school-wide initiatives, and engage families to support attendance and access to resources.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local counseling policies and procedures.
• Strong knowledge of social-emotional learning best practices.
• Proficiency with MS Office and Google Apps.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Effective time management skills.
• Clear and concise oral and written communication.
• Ability to collaborate with school staff, students, parents, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with school staff to promote a positive school climate and build relationships.
• Connects with families to bridge home–school communication regarding attendance, outside resources, and family needs.
• Collaborates with teachers to support social‑emotional learning in the classroom.
• Works with students individually or in small groups on study skills, organization, and work habits.
• Responds to crises as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Policy knowledge

SEL knowledge

MS Office

Google Apps

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication

Relationship building

Education

Master's in School Counseling

5 years public‑school counseling experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Google Apps

Job description

Overview

POSITION PURPOSE:

Works collaboratively with teachers to support student social-emotional learning skills. Promotes student success, provides preventive services, and responds to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career, and personal/social development for all students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local policies and procedures regarding counseling;
• Considerable knowledge of social-emotional learning best practices;
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Google Apps;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Effective time management skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, students, parents, and the public.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in School Counseling;
• Five years of counseling experience in a public-school environment.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Must hold or be eligible for a North Carolina professional educator's license with licensure in School Counseling;
• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license according to the State of NC requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 social-emotional learning curriculums, programs, and practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Collaborates with school staff to promote a positive school climate and build relationships.
2. Connects with families to bridge home-school communication regarding attendance, outside resources, and other needs of the family.
3. Collaborates with teachers to support social-emotional learning in the classroom.
4. Works with students individually or in small groups on topics related to study skills, organization, work habits, etc.
5. Responds to crises, as needed.
6. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Must be able to use a variety of office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. Must be able to communicate effectively. At times requires the ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to ten pounds. The position requires driving an automobile. Due to the amount of time spent standing and/or walking, physical requirements are consistent with those for sedentary work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Must be able to work in an office environment and come into direct contact with school system staff, staff members of external funding agencies, and the community.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

4/2023

DISCLAIMER:

The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.