Title: Baird HS/JH Counselor
Description:
The High School and Junior High Counselor at Baird ISD plays a dynamic role in supporting students' academic, social, emotional, and career development. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to guide and mentor students through their educational journey, from course selection and college readiness to personal counseling and crisis intervention. The counselor collaborates with teachers, parents, and administrators to ensure every student thrives. If you're passionate about helping students succeed and grow, this is the perfect role for you!
Position Title: High School and Junior High Counselor
Location: Baird HS/JH, Baird ISD, Texas
Reports To: Principal
Position Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Overview
The High School and Junior High Counselor is responsible for providing guidance, support, and counseling services to students at both the high school and junior high levels. This role addresses the academic, social, emotional, and career development needs of students across both age groups, creating a positive and supportive learning environment. The counselor collaborates with teachers, parents, and administrators to ensure that all students have the resources and support necessary to succeed academically and personally.
Key Responsibilities
- Academic Counseling:
- Provide academic guidance to junior high and high school students in course selection, graduation planning, and college/career readiness.
- Assist students with developing academic goals and strategies for success.
- Monitor student progress and provide interventions for students who are at risk academically or behaviorally.
- Personal and Social Counseling:
- Provide individual and group counseling to junior high and high school students regarding personal, social, and emotional issues.
- Facilitate conflict resolution, peer mediation, and behavioral interventions.
- Work with students on developing self-esteem, emotional regulation, and coping strategies, especially during transitional periods.
- Career Development and College Counseling:
- Guide high school students in career exploration, internships, apprenticeships, and post-secondary education opportunities.
- Assist high school students in the college application process, including SAT/ACT preparation, selecting colleges, and writing personal statements.
- Provide career development activities for both junior high and high school students, including job shadowing, career fairs, and vocational assessments.
- Crisis Intervention:
- Provide immediate counseling and support for both junior high and high school students in crisis situations, such as family issues, grief, or emotional distress.
- Collaborate with mental health professionals, administrators, and community agencies to support long-term intervention and recovery.
- Parent and Teacher Collaboration:
- Maintain regular communication with parents, teachers, and administrators to address student needs and progress.
- Participate in parent-teacher conferences, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, and other student support team meetings.
- Offer resources to parents on academic support, social-emotional learning, and mental health for their children.
- Program Implementation and Evaluation:
- Develop and implement counseling programs designed to meet the needs of both junior high and high school students.
- Provide school-wide programs focusing on mental health awareness, social-emotional learning, bullying prevention, and career readiness.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs and make necessary adjustments to meet student needs.
- Compliance and Record-Keeping:
- Keep accurate and up-to-date records of student counseling sessions, academic progress, and interventions.
- Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, including Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines for counseling services.
- Maintain confidentiality of student records and counseling sessions according to ethical standards.
- Professional Development:
- Stay informed on current developments in counseling techniques, educational policies, and mental health resources.
- Participate in ongoing professional development to improve counseling services and to better support students in both junior high and high school settings.
Qualifications
- Education:
- Master's degree in School Counseling, Psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution.
- Certifications:
- Valid Texas School Counselor Certification (EC-12).
- Valid Texas Teacher Certification (optional, but preferred).
- Experience:
- Experience working as a school counselor or in a related field, with experience in both junior high and high school settings preferred.
- Knowledge and experience with academic advising, college/career counseling, and crisis intervention.
- Skills:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to build relationships with students, parents, teachers, and administrators across grade levels.
- Knowledge of state graduation requirements, academic pathways, and post-secondary preparation for both junior high and high school students.
- Proficiency in technology for record-keeping, communication, and counseling program development.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally and ethically.
Working Conditions
- Work Hours: Full-time, typically during school hours with occasional evening or weekend duties for parent meetings, school events, or professional development.
- Physical Demands: The role may require some sitting, standing, and walking. The counselor must be able to respond to student needs in various school settings.
- Work Environment: The counselor works in both the junior high and high school settings, interacting with students, faculty, staff, and parents. There may be occasional off-campus meetings or community resources involvement.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Baird ISD is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or other protected categories under applicable law.