Guidance Counselor & Homeless Liaison Assistant
West Bonner School District •North Tip / Coeur d' Alene •School/Guidance Counselor •Middle •Full Time •Posted 2Y ago
About this job
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Guidance Counselor & Homeless Liaison Assistant
Location: Priest River Jr. High , Idaho Hill Elementary, Priest Lake Elementary FTE: 1.0 Salary: WBCSD Salary Schedule
QUALIFICATIONS
Holds a Pupil Personnel Services Certificate with a Counselor Endorsement (K-12) or is a certified social worker
Minimum experience as determined by the Board
Knowledge of computerized master schedule development
Broad knowledge of theories of individual and group guidance techniques, and elementary school guidance program design
Knowledge of state and federal testing procedures and requirements
Strong background in the use of technology
Relates extremely well to students
Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with students, parents, staff, and community groups and organizations
Able to work under pressure and deadlines
Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership skills
Maintain confidentiality of staff and students
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY TO
Building Principals
JOB SUMMARY
To help students overcome problems that impede learning and to assist them in making educational and life plans. The counselor will guide, listen, and lend support to students who will need services beyond the scope of the regular classroom.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct Assistance to Students
Assist students with education planning, course selection, and adding and dropping courses
Register students new to the school, provide orientation and information relative to school policies and procedures, schedules, curriculum and extracurricular opportunities
Interpret grades and test scores for parents and students
Assist when requested with follow-up on students that are below grade level/failing with weekly progress reports
Maintain a close relationship with the child study team following directives and recommendations as needed
Assist in the resolution of school-related problems
Provide responsive services including consultation, personal counseling, crisis counseling, and referral
Arrange for summer work and/or enrollment in summer school programs to make up noted deficiencies
Provide for a smooth transition between elementary and middle/junior high, which may include orientation programs for students and parents.
Provide a guidance curriculum consisting of structured developmental experiences presented systematically through classroom and group activities for all students
Assist with teacher/student/parent conferences
Assist students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the use of teacher comments, interpretation of individual standardized test scores, and other pertinent data
Provide counseling for students that will assist them to develop increased personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity
Office Management
Maintain a professional office environment
Provide interim assistance to students or parents with urgent needs
Maintain student records and ensure their confidentiality
Consult with teachers and other staff regularly to provide information and support to staff and to receive feedback on emerging needs of students
Deal with confusion and emergencies in a friendly, supportive, and calm manner
Assist agitated or confused students in re-composing themselves during situations where the student has a problem or personal setback
Screen and coordinate new student records
Help build the master schedule and decide what courses are going to be taught at each grade level
Program Evaluation
Participate in follow-up studies of former students for the purpose of improving services and evaluating the effectiveness of the educational program being offered by the school
Share research and findings with colleagues and students in order to improve counseling services
Research, develop, and write proposals to enhance the guidance curriculum
Evaluate the effectiveness of the comprehensive counseling program
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES as Homeless Liaison (Other duties may be assigned)
Specific Training/Skills:
Experience working with persons with diverse cultures and economic backgrounds.
Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
Knowledge of school district and community resources.
Ability to conduct staff development and community education regarding homelessness.
Coordinate services and reports in a timely manner for Homeless Education
Knowledge of program management, monitoring and evaluation.
Ability to work with parents, administrators, teachers, other staff and members of the community.
Knowledge of Federal regulations relative to Title I programs.
Ability to operate various office computers, fax machines and copiers.
Ability to be flexible and perform multi task successfully.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Ensure that children and youth in homeless situations are identified and served through coordinating activities with other local entities agencies and district staff.
2. Ensure children and youth in homeless situations enroll and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in school.
3. Coordinate with transportation and child nutrition personnel to arrange for services for homeless children and youth. Facilitate enrollment for homeless children and coordinate with schools.
4. Ensure that families, children and youth in homeless situation receive educational services and social services for which they are eligible and referral to health, mental health, dental and other appropriate
services.
5. Ensure that parents and guardians in homeless situations are informed of educational and related opportunities available to their children, and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in
the education of their children.
6. Act as a resource to school-based administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, and homeless/school attendance policies and laws, and record-keeping requirements and compliance issues.
7. Monitor homeless tutoring program
8. Enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with the Enrollment Disputes section of the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
9. Coordinate with state and district homeless coordinators, community and school personnel responsible for the provision of education and related services to children and youth in homeless situations.
10. Conducts training to school staff on school laws as it relates to the homeless student; population and recommends strategies for supporting the needs of these students.
10. Serve as the District’s Homeless Liaison Assistant to effectively implement the McKinney Vento Act.
11. Attend professional meetings and professional development related to homelessness and other federal programs.
12. Collaborate with other staff in facilitating program advisory committee to assure proper representation of the federal programs.
14. Other duties as assigned by Director of Title I.
Other
Serve as a resource person to local community organizations
Network and consult with local businesses, industries, and social service agencies on a regular basis
Provide information to the community regarding guidance services or other relevant programs
Supervise the district’s testing program and interpretation of test scores, and attend state sponsored district test coordinator meetings
Work closely with the school in interpreting the school’s philosophy and objectives to students and parents
Participate in building meetings such as special education meetings and class meetings
Assist in arranging education services for hospitalized or homebound student in conjunction with the special services staff
Assist with teacher/student and teacher/parent conflicts
Provide letters to senior parents informing them of student academic status, including credit checks, reviews, and graduation status
Keep immediate supervisor informed of activities and any issues that may arise
Assume responsibility for his or her continuing professional growth and development by such efforts as attendance at professional meetings, membership in professional organizations, enrollment in advanced courses, and by reading professional journals and other publications
Adhere to The Code of Ethics of the Idaho Teaching Profession adopted by the Professional Standards Commission and the State Board of Education
Seek assistance should emergencies arise
Represent the school district in a positive manner
Know and follow school district policy and chain of command
Perform other duties as assigned
EVALUATION
Performance of this position will be evaluated annually by the Director of Special Services and/or the Principal in conformance with district policy and IDAPA 08.02.02.120.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
By contract as determined by the Board of Trustees in accordance with federal and state law, administrative rules, and Board policy.
NOTE
All certificated and non-certificated employees and other individuals are required to undergo a criminal history check and submit to fingerprinting. Any applicant convicted of any of the felony crimes enumerated in Section 33-1208, Idaho Code may not be hired, and any applicant convicted of any felony offense listed in Section 33-1208(2), Idaho Code shall not be hired.
Legal Reference: I.C. § 33-512 Governance of Schools
I.C. § 33-513 Professional Personnel
I.C. § 33-515 Issuance of Renewable Contracts
I.C. § 33-1210 Information on Past Job Performance
I.C. § 33-1212 Elementary School Counselors
I.C. § 54-3201 et seq. Social Work Licensing Act
IDAPA 08.02.02.027.01 Counselor Endorsement (K-12)
IDAPA 08.02.02.120 Local District Evaluation Policy—Teacher and Pupil Personnel Certificate Holders
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
West Bonner School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.