ESSER__Director of K-12 School Counseling (Effective July 1, 2022)

Job Description

This is a two-year grant-funded position.

The Director of K-12 School Counseling provides leadership, oversight, and supervision to the development of comprehensive counseling programs aligned with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model with a focus on supporting student mental wellness, career development, and academic and postsecondary planning as part of COVID-19 recovery efforts. The Director demonstrates an ability to integrate school counseling services with other school-wide, division-wide, and department initiatives in support of student achievement and overall student success. The Director is highly skilled in setting a vision aligned with the anti-racist strategic plan goals of the school division, collaborating with diverse stakeholders at all levels, analyzing data to respond to the needs of students, engaging families and the community, and leading and implementing project plans that lead to positive outcomes for students.

This job reports to the Executive Director of Student Support Teams in the Department of Student Services & Equity.

Qualifications

Education: Master's degree in school counseling required. Doctorate preferred.

Certificates & Licenses: Valid Virginia Department of Education Postgraduate Professional or Pupil Personnel Services License with endorsement in school counseling required or eligibility to obtain one. The additional endorsement in Administration and Supervision required or ability to obtain the endorsement.

Experience: Five years or more of increasingly responsible experience in school counseling is required. Comparable professional experiences considered. Experience as a supervisor and/or school-counselor administrator preferred (e.g. Director of Counseling, Director of Student Services)

Key Competencies:

• Demonstrated commitment to equity and anti-racist practices
• Comprehensive knowledge of school counseling techniques, programs, and practices
• Comprehensive knowledge of school mental health curricula and programs, particularly those focused on trauma
• Comprehensive knowledge of K-12 career exploration and development and supporting underserved students with postsecondary plans
• Ability to develop, lead, and implement projects from start to finish with minimal supervision
• Ability to support, supervise, and evaluate school-based counseling staff and programs
• Ability to gain the confidence of students, parents, and professional staff and foster strong collaboration and accountability for student outcomes
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Essential Functions:

• Supports and leads aspects of division-wide efforts to support the mental health and wellness of students as a result of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism, with a particular focus on trauma-informed programming
• Provides guidance and collaborates to address postsecondary planning challenges for students as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on underserved student groups
• Designs and implements K-12 academic and career planning resources in alignment with the requirements from the Virginia Department of Education, inclusive of technology tools such as Naviance, Major Clarity, and/or the Virginia Wizard
• Oversees the project to move section 504 processes and documents to a fully online format
• Serves as the Section 504 support to school counselors and provides oversight to the implementation of the 504 processes. Manages the first level of the appeal process to problem solve and provide resolutions in Section 504 disputes
• Collaborates with schools and other central leaders to support continued alignment with the ASCA National Model
• Maintain applicable student records to ensure confidentiality, accuracy, and consistency
• Serves on various state, local, and division committees to establish partnerships that enhance school counseling services
• Provides division-wide professional development to staff and community members
• Serves as a Central Office point of contact for school-based Directors of Counseling and all school counselors
• Collaborates with other stakeholders to provide monthly meetings for all school counselors providing relevant and timely professional learning opportunities
• Participates in the selection, supervision, and evaluation of counseling staff, in collaboration with school principals and Directors of Counseling
• Supervises and evaluates staff as assigned by the Executive Director
• Supports the accurate application of applicable student information system data
• Assists with the interpretation of School Board policies to staff and the community, as needed
• Supports the placement of school counseling interns, in collaboration with the Office of Human Resources Department and the Office of Community Engagement
• Performs related duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Student Support Teams

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test

Public Health Compliance

• Proof of COVID vaccination. Exemptions for religious/medical will be reviewed.
• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP

Primary Location:
Central Office
Salary Range:
$103,627.20 - $160,442.40 / Administrator LAS-G
Shift Type:
Full-Time