Job Description

School Counselor Job Description

New Dimensions: A Public Charter School

Position Title

School Counselor (K–8)

Reports To

Director or Designee

Position Summary

The School Counselor is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes the academic, career, and social-emotional development of all students. The counselor serves as a leader, advocate, and collaborator who works closely with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community partners to remove barriers to learning and ensure student success.

This position is aligned with the North Carolina Professional School Counselor Standards, the ASCA National Model, and all applicable federal and state laws, policies, and ethical standards.

Standard 1: Demonstrate Leadership, Advocacy, and Collaboration

The School Counselor:

• Leads the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with school improvement goals.
• Serves as an advocate for equitable educational opportunities and student success.
• Collaborates with administrators, teachers, families, and community agencies to support student achievement.
• Participates as a member of the school's leadership, MTSS, Student Support, and problem-solving teams.
• Uses student data to identify barriers to learning and develop interventions.
• Promotes a positive, safe, and inclusive school climate.
• Supports initiatives that improve attendance, behavior, academic performance, and school connectedness.

Standard 2: Promote a Respectful Environment for Diverse Populations

The School Counselor:

• Builds positive relationships with students and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Provides culturally responsive counseling services.
• Promotes equity and inclusion for all students.
• Assists families in accessing school and community resources.
• Helps create an environment that values diversity and individual differences.

Standard 3: Support Student Learning

The School Counselor:

• Provides individual and small-group counseling based on identified student needs.
• Delivers classroom guidance lessons focused on:
• Social-emotional learning
• Character education
• Conflict resolution
• Bullying prevention
• College and career awareness
• Academic success skills
• Assists students in developing educational and personal goals.
• Implements evidence-based interventions that support academic achievement and emotional wellness.
• Provides crisis prevention, intervention, and follow-up services.

Standard 4: Facilitate the Delivery of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

The School Counselor:

Program Planning

• Develops and annually updates a comprehensive counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model and North Carolina Comprehensive School Counseling Standards.
• Establishes measurable annual program goals.
• Develops and maintains a yearly counseling calendar.
• Conducts needs assessments to identify student priorities.
• Evaluates program effectiveness using student outcome data.

Counseling Services

• Provides short-term individual counseling.
• Facilitates small-group counseling.
• Provides classroom guidance lessons.
• Makes referrals to community agencies and mental health providers when appropriate.

Student Support Services

• Coordinates interventions through the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
• Participates in Student Support Team meetings.
• Assists with attendance improvement initiatives.
• Supports behavior intervention planning.
• Collaborates with Exceptional Children staff and other student service personnel.
• Assists in identifying students needing additional academic, behavioral, or emotional support.

Consultation

• Consults regularly with teachers regarding student concerns.
• Provides parent conferences and family support.
• Collaborates with administrators regarding student services.
• Coordinates communication among school personnel, parents, and outside agencies.

Standard 5: Reflect on Practice

The School Counselor:

• Uses student outcome data to evaluate counseling services.
• Reflects on professional practice and establishes annual professional growth goals.
• Participates in professional learning aligned with school and district initiatives.
• Maintains appropriate documentation and records.
• Demonstrates ethical decision-making consistent with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards.

Additional Responsibilities

The School Counselor shall:

• Analyze attendance, behavior, academic, and assessment data.
• Interpret student assessment information for staff and families.
• Assist with educational planning and transitions between grade levels.
• Coordinate crisis response services.
• Participate in threat assessment teams as assigned.
• Assist with student orientation and transition programs.
• Support schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) or similar behavior initiatives.
• Coordinate community resources and partnerships that benefit students and families.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA, state law, and ethical standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in School Counseling from an accredited institution.

Licensure

• Must hold or be eligible to hold a North Carolina Professional Educator License in School Counseling issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in elementary or middle school settings.
• Knowledge of Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
• Experience with social-emotional learning programs.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices.
• Experience using student data to guide interventions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The School Counselor demonstrates:

• Knowledge of the North Carolina Professional School Counselor Standards.
• Knowledge of the ASCA National Model.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development.
• Knowledge of North Carolina academic standards.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention procedures.
• Knowledge of FERPA, child abuse reporting laws, and ethical standards.

Ability to:

• Build trusting relationships with students and families.
• Collaborate effectively with school staff and community agencies.
• Analyze academic, attendance, behavior, and assessment data.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive counseling services.
• Deliver effective classroom guidance lessons.
• Facilitate small-group counseling.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintain confidential records.
• Manage multiple priorities while maintaining professionalism.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Perform light physical work.
• Operate computers, office equipment, and instructional technology.
• Communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by telephone.
• Occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.
• Move throughout the school campus to meet student needs.

Professional Expectations

The School Counselor is expected to:

• Adhere to the North Carolina Code of Ethics for Educators.
• Follow ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records.
• Participate in professional learning and school improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support the mission, vision, and goals

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