SCHOOL COUNSELOR

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Special School District is seeking a School Counselor for the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired. This unclassified-regular 11-month position serves 8th–12th grade students with a focus on academic, career, and personal guidance within a specialized educational setting.

Responsibilities include data-driven guidance planning, collaboration with families, teachers and agencies, and supporting the master schedule.

Qualifications

• Valid Louisiana teaching certificate required.
• Certification from another state acceptable with licensure.
• Masters in school counseling or equivalent with required certification.
• Three years of professional counseling experience preferred.
• Experience with visually impaired education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Implement school system policies and programs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of special education rules and regulations.
• Support children with special needs, including deaf, hearing impaired and visually impaired.
• Maintain confidential student records and communicate with parents.
• Collaborate with agencies and professionals to refer students for services.
• Participate in school-sponsored activities.

Education

Louisiana Teaching Certificate

Out-of-State Teaching Certificate

Bachelor's degree (Alternative Certification Candidate)

Master's degree in school counseling

Counselor K-12 or Guidance Counselor certification

Three years of counseling experience

Experience with visually impaired students (preferred)

Job description

LOUISIANA SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities.

About This Job

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities.

The LA SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking applicants for an

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Position #40834

To be filled for School Year 26/27

This is an Unclassified-Regular Position - Full time 11-month position.

This position is located at the LA School for the Visually Impaired.

The Louisiana Special School District is an educational service agency that includes the Louisiana Special Schools (Louisiana School for the Deaf and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired) and Special School Programs.

Elementary School teachers at the Louisiana Special Schools are specialized educators responsible for adapting the core curriculum providing direct instruction in unique compensatory skills and collaborating with a support team to ensure students reach their full academic, social and emotional potential.

This position is applicable to all School Counselors at the Louisiana School for the Deaf and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired.

The Louisiana Special Schools do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in our programs and activities, and we provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination in employment may also be referred to Human Resources Director.

RELEASE OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION INFORMATION: La. R.S. 17:3884(D) requires that any school board wishing to hire a person who has been assessed or evaluated pursuant to the Children First Act, La. R.S. 17:3871, et seq., whether that person is already employed by that school system or not, shall request such person's assessment and evaluation results as part of the application process. Please be advised that, as part of the mandated process, your previous assessment and evaluation results will be requested. You have the opportunity to apply, review the information received, and provide any response or information you deem appropriate.

Physical Activity Level

Some work is performed in physically comfortable positions with little or light physical effort, and some work requires moderate effort. Lifting thirty to forty pounds may be required and brief periods of heavy muscular exertion may be required. Interpreting/ and transliterating require extended use of the upper body muscles and fine motor movements of the hands. Physical requirements are subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA standards.

There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed. Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected.

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid Louisiana Teaching Certificate - Holds a current Louisiana teaching certificate.
• Valid Out-of-State Teaching Certificate - Holds a current teaching certificate from another state.
• Alternative Certification Candidate - Holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; and Has documented enrollment in an approved alternative teacher prep program.
• Master's degree in school counseling or guidance and counseling, or master's degree with the equivalent hours and courses required for a master's degree in school counseling or guidance and counseling. Must meet certification requirements of the state of Louisiana as Counselor K-12 or Guidance Counselor.
• Three years of full-time, professional experience in counseling preferred. For applicants qualifying with teacher certification that includes the guidance counselor endorsement, 3 years of teaching experience at the elementary or secondary level is required or 2 years of successful teaching experience at the secondary level and 1 year of accumulated occupational experience.
• Background and/or experience in education of the visually impaired individuals is preferred.

Job Specification

Program Management Responsibilities

• Implement school system policies and school philosophy and programs.
• Exhibit knowledge of special education rules and regulations associated with implementation of state and federal laws.
• Exhibit understanding of children with special needs, especially the deaf, hearing impaired and visually impaired children served by the schools of the Special School District.
• Demonstrate awareness of specialists, agencies, and organizations that serve children with disabilities and their families referring students with special needs who require additional services to appropriate personnel within and outside the school.
• Demonstrate knowledge of child growth and development.
• Demonstrate appropriate and effective program management skills such as planning, organizing and implementing.
• Exercise good judgment in making decisions.
• Maintain complete and accurate records pertinent to students' scholastic and personal development and exercise confidentiality of information in accordance with requirements of the law.
• Communicate effectively with parents.
• Maintain a positive relationship with professional associates, the community, the parents of the students and state and local agencies and demonstrate appropriate and effective interpersonal skills.
• Consult and coordinate with agencies as appropriate.
• Participate in school-sponsored activities.

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Consult with parents, students, teachers, and supporting agencies regarding the needs and abilities of students.
• Provide academic counseling for 8th - 12th grade students who attend LSVI, including choosing an educational and/or career goal.
• Provide support in course selection and scheduling for students in grades 9-12.
• Design and implement data-driven, comprehensive guidance programs to meet the academic, career, social/emotional/behavioral/ personal needs of students as part of prevention and intervention services.
• Counsel students concerning personal/social/behavioral, academic, college, and career needs.
• Review academic records as required for students with academic difficulties, transfer students, etc.
• Develop, coordinate, facilitate, and present academic planning and career development modules and special workshops (choosing a major, resume development, college prep nights, identifying internships, etc.)
• Participate in student IEP meetings and provides academic progress, including state assessment scores.
• Provide counseling services to parents to enhance their understanding of their child's program, individual needs and progress.
• Participate in staffing or professional conferences concerning students' personal/social, or career interest/needs.
• Maintain a safe physical environment and demonstrate appropriate and effective student management.
• Conduct training for faculty, staff and parents to enhance knowledge of students' needs and other areas of concern.
• Serve as non-authoritarian liaison among the students, faculty/staff, administrators and parents.
• Assist administration with comprehensive master schedule.
• Manage and update students’ transcripts.
• Monitor report card grades and progress monitoring data.
• Conduct transition workshops for high school students.
• Conduct classroom guidance activities focused on academic/career/social/emotional/ behavioral learning for students in grades 6-12.
• Work with students and parents on FAFSA and financial aid applications.
• Assist all students with course planning, including completing Individual Graduation Plans.
• Assist with planning college and career events for students and families.
• Assist with building and maintaining partnerships for CTE, as well as those for college and career.
• Be willing to travel as needed to fulfill academic counseling duties.
• Assist with testing.

Professional Conduct

• Demonstrate reliability and punctuality in attendance and in meeting obligations.
• Exhibit professional ethics.
• Exhibit initiative and recognize and follow established communication channels.
• Serve as a member of various school-related committees where appropriate.
• Exhibit a willingness to accept and use suggestions for improvement.
• Use time effectively.
• Assume responsibility for professional growth and Participates in in-service training and professional conferences.
• May be required to develop and implement a Professional Growth Plan in consultation with the designated supervisor.
• May be required to complete a self-evaluation.
• Maintain an appropriate student-adult relationship and respect the individual worth and dignity of each student.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits for unclassified employees are determined by the individual hiring authority.

For further information about this vacancy contact LSDVI/Human Resources [phone]