Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Catholic Schools Office
Elementary School Counselor Job Description
- POSITION TITLE : Elementary School Counselor
Department : Catholic Schools
Grade : Pre-School to 8th Grade
Supervisor : Principal
PURPOSE AND SCOPE :Under the supervision of the principal, the school counselor is a person of faith who strives to achieve the goals of Catholic education; implements a comprehensive school counseling program to support students through this important developmental period; provides education, prevention and intervention activities, which are integrated into all aspects of children's lives; teaches knowledge, attitudes and skills students need to acquire in academic, career and social / emotional development, which serve as the foundation for future success; collaborate with teachers and parents on early identification and intervention of children's academic and social / emotional needs, which is essential in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement; maintains detailed and accurate records as required by the school; establishes positive school-community relationships; continues professional development to remain current with religious and academic certifications; performs any other job-related tasks deemed necessary and / or assigned by the principal.
III. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :
Strives to achieve the goals of Catholic education :
Embraces and models the Catholic philosophy of education.Promotes and lives gospel values and Catholic moral teaching.Upholds the doctrinal teachings of the Catholic Church.Provides opportunities for faith development of students in the classroom to prepare them for life in today's Church and society.Can articulate and give evidence of Catholic living by the example of their lives.Assumes responsibility for the leadership and management of counseling services :
Provides individual student academic program planningInterprets cognitive, aptitude and achievement tests and assists in the development of appropriate educational interventionsCounsels students, parents, and guardians for the purpose of enhancing student success, academically, socially, and emotionally, in schoolWorks toward the creation of a Catholic community within the classroom and the entire school communityCounsels in accordance with diocesan and local policies as well as appropriate state lawsShows respect for individuals and fairness in dealing with students and parentsSchedules student classes on a variety of topics for the purpose of helping students academically, socially and emotionally reach success in schoolMonitors students' progress for the purpose of identifying issues and taking appropriate action for increasing student success.Develops and implements counseling services according to the needs of the students and the established Diocesan Curriculum Standards :
Integrates Church's teachings in all aspects of the programProvides counseling to students who are tardy or absentProvides counseling to students who have disciplinary problemsUses resources available to promote learning experiences for all studentsRefers students for evaluation and consultation when necessary in collaboration with administration and parentsAssists teachers by identifying possible strategies to limit student disruption to the classroom routineProvides individual and small-group counseling services to studentsAdvocating for students at Student Support Plan (SSP) meetings, student study teams and school attendance review meetingsAssists faculty and support staff :
Collaborates with teachers to present school counseling core curriculum lessonsAligns assessments with goals, objectives, information taught, and instructional guidelines and Curriculum Standards of the Diocese and schoolInterprets student recordsHelps the school principal identify and resolve student issues, needs and problemsMaintains accurate records in all record keeping as required by the school :
Maintains proper grading and / or reporting system for each student as required by the principalMeets deadlines with official reports, attendance, and statistics as required by the principalEstablishes positive school-community relationships :
Maintains cooperative relations with all in the school communityPromotes respectful and positive school relationshipsMaintains awareness of his / her role as a Catholic educator and its impact on the communityProvides for regular conferences and meetings with parents of students being servedCooperates with and helps promote various curricular and co-curricular programs within the schoolAttends and actively participates in school faculty meetings and in-servicesContinues professional development to remain current with religious and academic certifications :
Keeps informed of current instructional / counseling practices through professional reading and educational opportunitiesParticipates in professional activities and joins appropriate professional organizationsAttends diocesan sponsored in-servicesAttends and actively participates in school faculty meetings and in-servicesActively participates in the process of continuous school improvementMaintains personal professional development recordsPerforms any other job-related tasks deemed necessary and / or assigned by the principal.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
Must demonstrate personal self-discipline, be adaptable and flexible in routine and unexpected situationsMust use good judgment in daily encountersMust use verbal and written language correctlyMust demonstrate an appropriate sense of humorMust demonstrate knowledge and understanding of good counseling techniques and child psychologyMust maintain appropriate grooming and dress at all times as stated in the faculty handbookMINIMUM QUALIFICATION
Preference given to Catholic school counselorMust meet Ministry Formation certification and / or recertification as required by Diocesan policyMust be willing to make a public Profession of Faith if Catholic and if non - Catholic willing to support Catholic teachings and philosophyMust hold a Bachelor's DegreeMust be certified by the Arizona State Department of Education as a school counselor and meet applicable NCA requirements.Received Safe Environment Training and signed the Code of ConductFBI Fingerprint clearance completed