Director of Counseling - Gunston Middle

JOB STATUS: UNTIL FILLED POSTING DATE: 09/27/2024 POSTING NUMBER: P24/25.14.15.1 LOCATION: Gunston MS POSITION TITLE: Director of Counseling - Gunston Middle
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Human Resources announces an opening for the position of Director of Counseling Services at Gunston Middle School. This is a twelve-month position Grade P-15.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK
The middle school Director of Counseling Services is a multi-faceted leadership position which requires expertise in a variety of areas: counseling, special education, curriculum and instruction, child development, student academic and social adjustment, testing, scheduling, school law, student record maintenance, and special services and programs. The Director of Counseling Services must demonstrate school leadership with a focus on the development of the whole child, possess a vision for middle school students, and serve as both leader and mentor to the middle-school staff. The Director, as required, may perform administrative tasks outside the guidance/counseling field at the request and direction of the Principal.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK (May not include all duties performed - These are intended as an illustration of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Works under the general supervision of the school principal, and exercises independent professional judgment in organizing and directing the counseling program.
• Coordinates the planning of counseling activities and designates responsibilities to counselors.
• Promotes an effective and efficient instructional environment at the middle school level by giving and receiving information and assistance, resolving conflicts, determining student placement, and participating in cooperative and collaborative efforts.
• Participates in the development of school rules, policies, and programs relating to student conduct, student attendance, staff development, student records, etc., as part of the school's administrative team.
• Coordinates the development of the master schedule and manages the complex master scheduling process.
• Directs the registration and orientation of new students including students moving up from elementary schools and moving up to middle schools.
• Arranges services for students with special needs and coordinate the 504 programs.
• Coordinates school programs as well as programs offered through county and community agencies.
• Plans, coordinates, and assists in evaluation of at-risk students.
• Develops and coordinates school crisis intervention team.
• Assists in development and administration of the Counseling Department's budget.
• Coordinates Counseling Department's calendar with school district, community and Virginia calendars.
• Supervises and participates in non-academic activities such as social affairs, publications, student clubs, and student award ceremonies.
• Completes year-end reports and provides input to reports required by other staff members.
• Attends and participates in school, district, Virginia, and national meetings, workshops and conferences related to education and/or counseling and keeps current with trends, methods, and techniques.
• Plans, coordinates and supervises a program of counseling services involving a wide variety of student needs, including registration, adjustment to school life, maintenance of satisfactory scholastic performance, and placement.
• Supervises and evaluates a staff of professional counselors, the registrar, clerical staff, paraprofessionals, and other student services staff as assigned.
• Coordinates and develops professional development programs for staff and parents (e.g., substance abuse, child abuse, legal and ethical standards, and managing students in crisis).
• Manages and supervises college/career preparation programs and transition programs within the school.
• Coordinates standardized testing and final exam procedures.

EXPERIENCE:
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Experience working with students, families and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Thorough knowledge of guidance and counseling techniques, programs, and practices and an ability to apply them to the needs of high school students.
• Knowledge of master schedule building.
• Thorough knowledge of special education law, requirements, procedures, and processes.
• Ability to administer the school-based guidance and counseling services required for the assigned school.
• Ability to gain and retain the confidence and cooperation of students, professional staff, parents, and support staff.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to meet required deadlines, balance the demands of competing responsibilities, tailor and deliver programs that meet the demands of divergent groups.
• Knowledge, interpretation, and implementation of local, state, and federal regulations related to public education, graduation requirements, transferring and awarding credit, standardized testing and mental health issues.

QUALIFICATIONS:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

• Hold or be eligible for an endorsement in School Counselor PreK-12 on a license issued by the Virginia State Board of Education.
• Bilingual skills preferred but not required.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Hold or be eligible for the Administration and Supervision PreK-12 endorsement on a license issued by the Virginia State Board of Education preferred.
• Master's degree from an approved counselor education program from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Administrative and/or supervisory experience preferred.
• Five years of successful experience as a classroom teacher or student services specialist; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that would provide the above noted knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Five years of successful experience as a school counselor; bilingual preferred or any equivalent combination of training and experience that would provide the above noted knowledge, skills, and abilities.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
If you would like to apply to this position please follow these steps.

1. Log into your application and select the appropriate application (Current APS employees interested in transferring must select the Employee Transfer Application.) If you are a new online application user, please register with the online system, then proceed to Step 2.

2. Login to your application, select the appropriate application, click the Start Application button at the bottom of the page.

3. Click the Continue/Save button at the bottom of each web page until you reach the Employment Openings page of the application.

4. On the Employment Openings page, click the Add Job button.

5. Select the position you would like to apply for from the drop down list.

6. Click the Add Another button to add a different position to your application or if you have finished click the Continue button and proceed to Step 7.

7. Once you have finished selecting the job(s) click the Continue button at the bottom of each web page and submit the application. (You will need to complete the Applicant Testimony and Applicant's Authorization Statement every time you re-submit your application.)

8. Click the Submit button on the left.

9. Click the Submit Application button to finish applying for an APS position(s).

10. Please do not contact the schools regarding job openings.

Arlington Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the Arlington School Board, as stated in Policy G-2.30, Employee Relations - Equal Employment Opportunity - that "Employment opportunities shall not be restricted, abridged or otherwise adversely affected on the basis of race, national origin, creed, color, religion, gender, age, economic status, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, and/or disability."
APPLY TO: SALARY:
Salary will be based on the FY2024-25 salary schedule.
DAYS: