School Counselor

IMDiversity; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Loudoun County Public Schools at Algonkian Elementary School in Sterling, Virginia seeks a School Counselor to support students' personal-social, academic, and career readiness through counseling and targeted classroom instruction.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, adherence to ASCA standards, and collaboration with families, teachers, and administrators to promote equity and student success.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and completion of an approved school counseling program.
• Active LPC licensure or eligibility may be considered in lieu of requirements.
• Ability to use data-driven practices to inform counseling and program decisions.

Responsibilities

• Support personal-social, mental health, academic needs, and college/career readiness of each student.
• Provide individual counseling and classroom instruction following ASCA standards.
• Lead small group counseling on topics like study skills, anger management, and self-esteem.
• Analyze data to evaluate program effectiveness and report outcomes to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with families, staff, and administrators to promote student success.
• Promote equity and a student-centered approach in all activities.
• Provide in-service training to staff on counseling matters including student wellbeing.
• Contribute to a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with ASCA model.
• Identify and address students at risk for suicide or depression.
• Communicate school objectives and progress to parents and community.

Skills

Data-driven guidance

Collaboration

Communication skills

Technology use

Education

Master’s degree in School Counseling

Tools

Assessment tools

Job description

School Counselor

Loudoun County Public Schools

Algonkian Elementary School - Sterling, Virginia

Job Description

Job Overview

Roles and Responsibilities

• Works to support the personal-social, mental health, academic needs, and college and career readiness of each and every student in the building.
• Works with students on an individual basis in the solution of personal problems related to such situations as home and family relations, peer relations, health, and emotional adjustment; is available to students to provide counseling in such areas as personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity.
• Conducts small group counseling on student-selected and data-driven topics such as study skills, social skills, anger management, self-esteem, changing families, and grief.
• Creates and provides classroom instruction every two to three weeks through lessons promoting personal-social, career and college readiness and bullying prevention based on Virginia Department of Education and American School Counselor Association standards for school counseling programs.
• Develops a Comprehensive School Counseling Program which supports the American School Counseling Association Recognized ASCA Model Program.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports complex outcome-oriented data related to the effectiveness of their school counseling program with emphasis on equity and student-centered approach; uses data to determine trends and concerns and communicated data results and implications to stakeholders while also assisting counselors in measuring and reporting the effectiveness of their work.
• Demonstrate fidelity in best practices for a school counseling program through consistent use of technology and monitoring of student outcomes.
• Provides in-service training in school counseling for staff; collaborates with administrators and faculty on the matters of student discipline, developmental issues, and identifying significant behaviors such as suicide, self-harm, and depression.
• Fosters professional growth and building a positive climate of support, keeps abreast of current research, participates in professional organizations, and keeps staff informed of state and national issues and trends related to school counseling.
• Collaborates with families, school staff, administrators, and other educational stakeholders to support student achievement and wellness.
• Takes an active role in interpreting the school’s objectives to students, parents, and the community at large; confers with parents whenever necessary.

Qualifications*

Below are the minimum qualifications for this job. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.

Education

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and completion of an approved school counseling program.

Experience

Successful full-time teaching or school guidance and counseling.

*An active Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) license issued by the Virginia Department of Health Professionals (DHP) may be considered in lieu of these requirements.

Licenses/Certifications

Eligibility for appropriate licensure.

In addition to the LPC, the Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) may be eligible.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the structure and components of an effective school counseling program.
• Knowledge of barriers to student learning.
• Knowledge of data-driven school counseling practices.
• Knowledge of Individual counseling, group counseling and classroom instruction methods, techniques, and best practices.
• Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional issues in public education.
• Knowledge of learning and counseling theories.
• Ability to use technology effectively and efficiently to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate the school counseling services.
• Ability to collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders and other stakeholders to promote and support student success.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

*An active Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) license issued by the Virginia Department of Health Professionals (DHP) may be considered in lieu of these requirements.

Physical Requirements

The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this job: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly talking, expressing, or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Reports to: Principal or Assistant Principal

FLSA status: Exempt

Months/Days/Hours: ES- 10 months/ 200 days/ 7.5 hours per day

Salary Level: Scale A/Licensed

Salary Scale: lcps.org/compensation

Remote Work Eligible: No

Union Designation: Certified

Position Type:Full-Time

Job Categories: Student Services > School/Guidance Counselor

Job Requirements

Citizenship, residency or work visa required