Specialist School Counseling Services

Position Overview
The School Counseling Services Specialist assists the Supervisor in the coordination and implementation of school counseling services in all LCPS to include: professional learning activities; student centered data outcomes; and program effectiveness.

Roles and Responsibilities
The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed in relation to the position. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate:

• Assists Supervisor with coordination of the work of school counselors; assists in planning and coordination of the orientation of new counselors, internship and mentorship programs; prepares reports, attends meetings, and serves on committees as requested by the Director of Student Services and Supervisor, School Counseling Services; provides leadership to insure high quality school counseling services which demonstrate fidelity in best practices for school counseling through consistent use of technology and monitoring of student outcomes.
• Coordinates and provides training and ongoing monitoring for the application process for all schools to participate in the American School Counseling Association Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP).
• Assists counselors and principals in developing and maintaining a comprehensive school counseling programs that support student achievement with outcome data.
• Assists the Supervisor, School Counseling Services, in the oversight and implementation of: bullying prevention and education; the multi-tiered system of supports framework to include school based mental health services, positive behavioral interventions and supports, social-emotional learning strategies and interventions; assists in planning and managing of the budget, determining staffing assignments, and supervising expenditures of funds in a timely manner.
• Consults with staff and principals regarding specific situations and assists in problem-solving; works collaboratively with other areas of Pupil Services and LCPS departments; maintains on-going communication with community human services agencies.
• Plans, coordinates and implements professional learning activities for counselors and school-based staff focused on department priorities for prevention and intervention; participates on department committees to promote leadership for priority initiatives and facilitates school counselor implementation in the schools; assists in the development, coordination, revision, and editing of school counseling curriculum; assists in evaluating the effectiveness of the school counseling program; determines needs, develops plans to meet needs and evaluate outcomes, and ensures that LCPS School Counseling Services are consistent with and follow the guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Education.
• Collects, analyzes and reports complex outcome-oriented data related to the effectiveness of school counseling with emphasis on equity for all students and schools; uses data to determine trends and issues and communicates data results and implications to stakeholders; assists counselors in measuring and reporting the effectiveness of their work.
• Fosters professional growth and building of staff morale, keeps abreast of current research, participates in professional organizations, and keeps staff informed of state and national issues and trends related to school counseling.

Qualifications
Below are the qualifications for this position:

• Pupil Personnel License or Postgraduate Professional License with an endorsement in school counseling
• Five years of experience as a school counselor; administrative experience and endorsement preferred
• Strong skills in effective use of data, data analysis and computer application skills
• Proven expertise and exceptional skills in large and small group, classroom, and individual counseling
• Excellent organizational, management and leadership skills
• Proven professional/leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary to work effectively with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and community agencies
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; proven ability to deliver professional presentations

Physical Requirements
The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this position:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly talking, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.