School Counselor - Elementary

Chesterfield County Public Schools; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 60,660 - 93,040; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Chesterfield County Public Schools is seeking a School Counselor to work with students to support academic, personal, and career development. The role involves individual and group counseling, classroom guidance, and coordination with families, teachers, and community resources to connect students with opportunities.

The position emphasizes helping students achieve success, promote a healthy school climate, and plan for postsecondary pathways.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of counseling interventions in a school setting and interpersonal relationships.
• Knowledge of instruction concepts and curricula; ability to plan and deliver instruction.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, and crisis intervention abilities.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students individually and in groups in academic, career, and personal/social areas.
• Collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators and community resources to support students.
• Coordinate information about student opportunities, enrichment programs, scholarships, and special programs.
• Assist with crisis intervention and in identifying prevention and intervention programs for students.
• Guide students in course selection and career planning; participate in career-related activities.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal skills

Group dynamics

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Master's degree in guidance and counseling

Virginia school guidance certification/licensure

Job description

Our outstanding teachers, support staff members and leaders are top‑notch educators whom others seek to emulate, and quite simply‑we would like for you to consider joining us.

General Description

School Counselors work with students to help them develop academically, personally and socially and to assist in career development through individual and group counseling, as well as classroom guidance sessions. Counselors consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to provide students with the resources and services to help them to be the best possible learners. In addition, they serve as a liaison between school, community agencies, and post‑secondary opportunities.

Job Description

Essential Job Functions

Academic/Educational Development

Assisting students to achieve school success and develop skills to engage in life‑long learning.

• Counsels students (individual and group) in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social concerns.
• Provides programs, activities, and services which focus on helping children experience healthy growth academically, socially and for future success.
• Publicizes and coordinates information to students and parents regarding student opportunities such as enrichment programs, scholarships, special programs, etc.

Personal/Social Development

Assisting students to successfully use interpersonal, intrapersonal and social skills.

• Serves as an advocate for students and works to promote a healthy school climate and a safe learning environment.
• Collaborates/consults with parents, teachers, administrators and community resources concerning student issues.
• Assists with crisis intervention and in identifying and implementing prevention and intervention programs for students.

Career Development

Assisting students to become aware of life/career choices and participate in career development activities to prepare for the world of work.

• Offers guidance sessions on problem‑solving decision‑making and academic and career planning.
• Assists students with course selection (secondary) relative to their educational pursuits and career goals.
• Coordinates participation in career‑related activities.
• Demonstrates commitment to improving professional competence.
• Assesses student learning on an ongoing basis and alters instruction to meet group/individual needs.
• Uses the curriculum of the district to plan daily instructional activities.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Budgetary Responsibility

N/A

Report Preparation

Responsible for verifying graduation course and test requirements and all reports which follow.

Equipment Operation

Uses personal computer for communication and correspondence.

Contacts

All counselors work regularly with community agencies and businesses to bring resources to the students. Secondary counselors work closely with college admission representatives, military personnel and employers on a regular basis. Consults daily with teachers, administrators, and county personnel.

Work Direction

N/A

Supervision

N/A

Decision Making

Counselors are responsible for individual decision making as they guide and counsel students in their development.

Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities

N/A

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to find, reach with hands and arms, handle paper files, records, computer and equipment controls, and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The employee works in an office and school environment; the noise level is quiet to moderate.

Qualifications

Working knowledge of appropriate counseling interventions in a school setting, with special emphasis on the study of interpersonal relationships, facilitative skills, brief counseling, group dynamics, and group learning activities, of family systems, peer helper programs, multicultural and cross‑cultural helping approaches, crisis intervention techniques and educational and community sources for special school populations. Working knowledge of the concepts, principles, and methodologies of instruction. Working knowledge of academic curriculum and methodologies of instruction. Demonstrated ability to communicate with others effectively, both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability in crisis intervention, decision making, problem analysis, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, planning, and multi‑tasking.

Additional Job Requirements

Post‑graduate certification/licensure endorsement in elementary, middle or high school guidance by the Virginia Department of Education. Master’s degree with an emphasis in guidance and counseling.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
• Tuberculosis Screening/Test

Compensation

$60,660.29 - $93,040.53

Hours Per Day

8

Days Per Year

200

Benefits

Chesterfield County Public Schools offers a wide variety of benefits to employees. Benefit offerings may differ based upon full‑time and part‑time employee status.

Chesterfield County Public Schools assures Equal Employment Opportunities for employees as required by Federal and State Orders and Laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all‑inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position and does not imply an employment contract.