School Counselor

Lawton Public Schools; Lawton (OK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawton Public Schools seeks a Guidance Counselor to support students, parents, and staff by providing career and educational information, administering assessments, and helping students set and achieve educational/occupational goals.

You will interpret test scores, assist in course planning, and coordinate with colleges, business partners, and community resources to enhance guidance services. A strong background in counseling and knowledge of postsecondary opportunities are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of pre/post high school program eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of college/university admissions processes and scholarships.
• Knowledge of current developments in career opportunities and employment.
• Knowledge of differentiated instruction based on student learning styles.
• Ability to use data information systems and analyze data for action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state education laws.
• Ability to use computer networks and software applications as needed.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation for professional growth.
• Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with others.

Responsibilities

• Assist students in evaluating aptitudes and developing education and occupation plans.
• Help students with course selections and evaluating career interests.
• Assist in scheduling classes.
• Disseminate information on occupational opportunities to students.
• Assist with admissions, scholarships, and employment opportunities.
• Coordinate with administrators and staff to assess student needs and provide guidance.
• Research educational and career opportunities and coordinate with colleges, business and community groups.
• Assist with orientation for new students and dropout prevention efforts.
• Provide counseling to promote personal growth and maturity.
• Plan field trips to higher learning institutions and related organizations.
• Maintain records and communicate student information to colleges and employers.
• Encourage parental involvement and ensure effective communication with families.
• Support in-service training for guidance and orientation of new teachers.

Skills

Career counseling knowledge

College admissions knowledge

Data analysis

Differentiated instruction

Communication with students and peers

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in education

Master's degree preferred

Job description

GuidanceCounselor

Position Purpose

Under the general supervision of theDirector of Pupil Services, to provide students, parents, administrators, andother teaching staff with information on career and or educationalopportunities; administer and interpret career assessment tools; and assiststudents in developing educational andoccupational goals and plans.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Assists students in evaluating students' aptitudes andabilities through theinterpretation of individual standardized test scores and otherpertinent data, and workswith students in developing education and occupation plans consistent with such evaluation.
• Assists students in making course and subject selections,as well as with evaluating career interestsand choices.
• Assists in the scheduling of classes.
• Obtains and disseminates information regarding occupational opportunities to studentsand to classes studyingoccupations.
• Assists studentswith admissions, scholarship and identifying employment opportunities.
• Coordinates with administrators and other teaching staff members to ascertain individual student'sabilities and needs, including students with special needs, and to familiarizestakeholders with guidance services.
• Researcheseducational and career opportunities, and coordinates with teachers, collegeand university personnel, resource specialists, and business and communityorganizations for the purpose of providing information, and makingrecommendations.
• Assists with the registration and orientation students who are new to the school regarding procedures and educational opportunities.
• Assists with the school district's dropout prevention efforts.
• Serves as readyresource to students to providecounseling that will lead each student to increased personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity.
• Plans and coordinates field trips to institutions of higher learning, businesses andother organizations related to guidance responsibilities.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, orby conducting research, and by maintaining professional relationships withmembers of institutions of higher learning and the business community.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping and providing student information to prospective colleges and employers, as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
• Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.
• Assists in the orientation of new teachers, and provides in-service training in guidance.

Additional Duties

Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment

Uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and faxmachines, and telephone.

Travel Requirements

Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge ofpre/post high school program eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge ofcollege/university admissions processes, scholarship programs and othereducational opportunities.
• Knowledge ofcurrent developments in business and industry regarding career opportunitiesand employment.
• Knowledgeofdifferentiated instruction based upon student learning styles.
• Knowledgeof datainformation systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledgeof applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Ability to usecomputer network system and software applications as needed.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

Works in standard office and school building environments.

Note: Also see the Summary of Physical,Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Job Duties for this position.

Qualifications Profile

• Certification/License:
• [State] State Certification as a Guidance Counselor (#_____________________).
• Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide own transportation.

Education

• Bachelors from anaccredited college or university in education discipline applicable to teachingassignment.
• Masters Degreepreferred.

Experience

Successfulprior teaching experience for the appropriate grade level preferred.

FLSA Status: Exempt