High School Counselor

Lamar County School District; Purvis (MS); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in education is seeking a dedicated School Counselor to enhance student development and support. This role involves creating a comprehensive guidance program, providing individual and group counseling, and collaborating with educators and families to foster student success from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling and a valid Mississippi certification, ensuring they are equipped to guide students in their educational and career paths. Join a supportive environment where your contributions will make a significant impact on the lives of students and the community.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling required.
• Valid Mississippi Department of Education Certification needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive guidance program for all students.
• Provide individual and group counseling for student development.
• Consult with families and staff to support student progress.

Skills

Counseling Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Crisis Intervention

Career Advisement

Education

Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling

Tools

Assessment Tools

Job description

• Position Type:
  Student Support Services/ Guidance Counselor
  
  
• Date Posted:
  3/6/2025
  
  
• Location:
  Purvis High School
  
  
• Date Available:
  07/01/2025
  
  
• Closing Date:
  03/13/2025
  
  

Job Title: School Counselor

Reports to: Principal

Receives Guidance from: Principal, Assistant Principal, and Director of Student Support Services and Counselors

Overtime Status: Compliant with position, salary and FLSA regulations

Job Purpose:

The purpose of the Counselor is to provide a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program for all students at all grade levels, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12; to consult with parents/guardians, teachers, and other school staff members to enhance their effectiveness in guiding and supporting students in progressing through the grade levels and in planning their careers; and to provide support for the other education programs in the individual schools. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Goals, objectives, and activities of the guidance program are developed using the results of needs assessments.
2. Organize a guidance committee that functions in an advisory capacity.
3. Develop a guidance calendar of activities that lists on-going and regular events and activities.
4. Secure and make available to students information and material on further educational opportunities, personal growth and development, and occupational opportunities and trends.
5. Develop procedures for guidance program.
6. Implement the guidance curriculum in each teacher’s classroom and/or systematically conduct developmental counseling programs for each grade level throughout the year.
7. Provide resources to teachers to facilitate their teaching of counseling content in their regular lessons.
8. Develop and/or implement program for conflict resolution.
9. Provide time in the daily schedule for individual counseling of students.
10. Plan and implement group guidance activities.
11. Consult with families, teachers, administrators, and other appropriate individuals regarding services and programs available to/for students.
12. Prepare a list of contact personnel in agencies, programs, and services external to the school setting for collaboration and referral.
13. Interpret test results to appropriate individuals.
14. Assist in identifying students who need interventions/special services.
15. Assist in reviewing students’ progress at the end of each grading period.
16. Shall NOT serve as School Test Coordinator or Assistant School Test Coordinator.
17. Assist with registering and orienting new students.
18. Provide orientation to students from “feeder” schools.
19. Provide students with information on school district policies regarding counseling services, student activities, competency and grade-level testing, graduation, and college admission.
20. Provide students with materials and information regarding career and post-high school educational opportunities; assist with college applications, scholarships, and employment applications including the writing of letters of recommendation.
21. Inform families of student-related career and educational opportunities.
22. Provide classroom guidance in areas of career advisement and sex education.
23. Consult with administrators and teachers in the planning of course offerings that meet the needs and interests of students.
24. Receive and act upon referrals from administrators, teachers, families, agencies, and other professional staff.
25. Serve in coordination of behavior interventions.
26. Provide crisis intervention and preventive counseling.
27. Assist families in effective use of community and school resources.
28. Organize office for most effective use.
29. Prepare/submit reports, records, lists, and other paperwork accurately and in a timely manner.
30. Participate in meetings on the local, district, state, or national level as required or appropriate.
31. Keep informed of developments within the profession by maintaining active membership in appropriate organizations, attending professional meetings, reading professional journals and other publications, and networking with other professionals.
32. Educational consultation and collaboration with teachers, administrators, and community.
33. Adhere to Lamar County School District board policies and procedures and administrative directives.
34. Communicate effectively using standard oral and written English.
35. Abide by the American School Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics.
36. Lead and attend staff meetings/trainings as applicable; serve on staff committees.
37. Assume responsibility for own professional growth and development.
38. Maintain and accept responsibility for any district owned fixed asset item assigned to employee.
39. Undergo periodic evaluations according to state and board policy procedures.
40. Maintain confidentiality.
41. Regular, dependable, punctual, in person attendance is an essential function of this position.
42. Perform such other and not specifically enumerated duties as may be requested by the Board of Education, superintendent, administrator, director or established by district policy.
43. Read, understand, and abide by Employee Conduct Policy, GAB, all other district, state and federal policies, and procedures and protocols as established by LCSD and the Mississippi Educator Code of Conduct.

Qualifications:

Education Level: Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling (MS Code 37-9-79).

Certification: Valid Mississippi Department of Education Certification.

Other Requirements: 436 Endorsement.

Physical Demands:

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

Terms of Employment:

Salary, days and work year as established by the Lamar County Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Lamar County School Board policy on Evaluation of Employees.