Connecticut State Department of Education

Comprehensive K-12 School Counseling Framework


Appendix E - Sample Job Descriptions by Level


Sample Job Description: Elementary School Counselor

Elementary School Counselor Description:

Elementary School Counselors are educators uniquely trained in child development, learning strategies, self-management and social skills, who understand and promote success for today’s diverse students. They implement a school counseling framework to support students through this important developmental period (ASCA, 2019).

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Use school counseling research-based standards and competencies to inform the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling framework.
  • Create systemic change through the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling framework.
  • Provide appraisal and advisement to all students through large group, classroom, small group and individual settings.
  • Implement a developmentally appropriate school counseling curriculum to all students.
  • Collaborate with teachers, families and other staff on early identification and intervention of children’s academic & social-emotional needs.
  • Consult with families, teachers, administrators, and supporting agencies in regards to the students’ academic & social-emotional needs.
  • Make referrals to appropriate school and community resources.
  • Provide short-term small group and individual counseling to help students learn coping skills for personal, social, academic, and family concerns.
  • Implement an effective career exploration program for all students.
  • Develop and implement action plans aligned with annual student outcome goals and student data.
  • Collaborate with middle school staff to assist students in making a smooth transition to middle school; provide orientation activities for incoming students and their families.
  • Consult and be a resource for teachers. Take a leadership role in seeing the infusion of counseling content into the curriculum.
  • Provide family education materials and programming, helping families with school-related problems and issues.
  • Work collaboratively with school psychologists, social workers, school nurses and other agencies to provide multi-tiered systems of support to students & families.
  • Review the comprehensive school counseling framework annually, revising it as needed and planning yearly/monthly calendars of counseling program activities as well as conducting annual needs assessments.
  • Advocacy for all students for fair, just and compassionate treatment, including of high-needs populations and families.
  • Advocate for rigorous courses and higher education for underrepresented groups
  • Support Section 504 plans and IEPs.
  • Use data to identify gaps in achievement, opportunity and attainment.

Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree in School Counseling, CT Certification in School Counseling (068)
  • Training and/or experience with college and career equity counseling or experience.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and expertise with the CCSCF and the ASCA National Model
  • Demonstrate knowledge of best practices and methodologies in school counseling, aligned with current state and national standards
  • Ability to work cooperatively with school leadership, staff, families and the community
  • Ability to utilize technology and data to address student and department needs
  • Superior communication skills (oral and written)
  • High standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity

Sample Job Description: Middle School Counselor

Middle School Counselor Description:

Middle school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management and social skills. They implement a school counseling framework to support students through this important developmental period (ASCA, 2019).

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Use school counseling research-based standards and competencies to inform the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling framework.
  • Create systemic change through the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling framework.
  • Provide appraisal and advisement to all students through large group, classroom, small group and individual settings.
  • Implement a developmentally appropriate school counseling curriculum to all students.
  • Collaborate with teachers, families and other staff on early identification and intervention of children’s academic & social-emotional needs.
  • Consult with families, teachers, administrators, and supporting agencies in regards to the students’ academic and social-emotional needs.
  • Make referrals to appropriate school and community resources.
  • Provide short-term small group and individual counseling to help students learn coping skills for personal, social, academic, and family concerns.
  • Implement an effective career exploration program for all students that may include career fairs, high school fairs, field trips, and job shadows. Choose appropriate career inventories for students to take.
  • Develop and implement action plans aligned with annual student outcome goals and student data.
  • Collaborate with high school staff to assist students in making a smooth transition to high school; work with 8th grade students to prepare for high school and explore high school options.
  • Consult and be a resource for teachers. Take a leadership role in seeing the infusion of counseling content into the curriculum.
  • Provide family education materials and programming, helping families with school-related problems and issues.
  • Work collaboratively with school psychologists, social workers, school nurses and other agencies to provide multi-tiered systems of support to students & families.
  • Participate in team meetings, student strategy teams, and 504/PPT meetings as appropriate.
  • Review the comprehensive school counseling framework annually, revising it as needed, and planning yearly/monthly calendars of counseling program activities as well as conducting annual needs assessments.
  • Advocacy for all students for fair, just and compassionate treatment, including of high needs populations and families.
  • Advocate for rigorous courses and higher education for underrepresented groups
  • Use data to identify gaps in achievement, opportunity and attainment.

Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree in School Counseling, CT Certification in School Counseling (068)
  • Training and/or experience with college and career equity counseling or experience.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and expertise with the CCSCF and the ASCA National Model
  • Demonstrate knowledge of best practices and methodologies in school counseling, aligned with current state and national standards
  • Ability to work cooperatively with school leadership, staff, families and the community
  • Ability to utilize technology and data to address student and department needs

Sample Job Description: High School Counselor (Courtesy of Hartford Public Schools)

High School Counselor Description:

High school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management, and social skills who understand and promote success for today’s diverse students. They implement a school counseling framework to support students through this important developmental period (ASCA, 2019).

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Use school counseling research-based standards and competencies to inform the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling framework.
  • Create systemic change through the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling framework.
  • Provide appraisal and advisement to all students through large group, classroom, small group and individual settings.
  • Implement a developmentally appropriate school counseling curriculum to all students.
  • Collaborate with teachers, families and other staff on early identification and intervention of children’s academic & social-emotional needs.
  • Consult with families, teachers, administrators, and supporting agencies in regards to the students’ academic & social-emotional needs.
  • Make referrals to appropriate school and community resources.
  • Provide short-term small group and individual counseling to help students learn coping skills for personal, social, academic, and family concerns.
  • Develop and implement action plans aligned with annual student outcome goals and student data.
  • Collaborate with middle school staff to assist students in making a smooth transition to high school; and provide orientation activities for incoming students and families.
  • Consult and be a resource for teachers. Take a leadership role in seeing the infusion of counseling content into the curriculum.
  • Provide family education materials and programming, helping families with school-related problems and issues (e.g., college nights, financial aid nights, career fairs).
  • Work collaboratively with school psychologists, social workers, school nurses and other agencies to provide multi-tiered systems of support to students & families.
  • Participate in team meetings, student strategy teams, and 504/PPT meetings as appropriate.
  • Guide high school students starting in 9th grade to help them develop their postsecondary educational/career plans, coordinate career assessments & interpret results to help students in their planning.
  • Provide individual assistance to students regarding their academic, career and social-emotional needs.
  • Review and evaluate student transcripts.
  • Review credits, grades and transcripts with students, helping them meet graduation requirements and develop academic plans for success and future career planning.
  • Provide college & career counseling to all students. Provide information on scholarships, NCAA requirements, financial aid and college fee waivers.
  • Assist students in preparing for and navigating the college admission process.
  • Review the comprehensive school counseling framework annually, revising it as needed and planning yearly/monthly calendars of counseling program activities as well as conducting annual needs assessments.
  • Advocacy for all students for fair, just and compassionate treatment, including of high needs populations and families.
  • Advocate for rigorous courses and higher education for underrepresented groups.
  • Use data to identify gaps in achievement, opportunity and attainment.

Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree in School Counseling, CT Certification in School Counseling (068)
  • Training and/or experience with college and career equity counseling or experience.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and expertise with the CCSCF and the ASCA National Model
  • Demonstrate knowledge of best practices and methodologies in school counseling, aligned with current state and national standards
  • Ability to work cooperatively with school leadership, staff, families and the community
  • Ability to utilize technology and data to address student and department needs
  • Superior communication skills (oral and written)
  • High standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity

Sample Job Description: Department Head or Director for the School Counseling Department

Director or Department Head Description:

The primary role of the Director or Department Head is to provide leadership for the implementation of the Connecticut Comprehensive School Counseling Framework (CCSCF) for grades K–12; to coordinate and develop departmental services, programming and activities that support college and career readiness and remove barriers that may impede learning; to mentor, coach and supervise school counselors in the department.

The Director or Department Head reports directly to the Principal or designee. The position is effective July 1, 20XX and will continue through June 30, 20XX.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • To build, implement, and monitor the Connecticut Comprehensive School Counseling Framework.
  • Ensure school counseling goals are aligned to the district’s mission and goals.
  • Identifies professional development needs for the department based priorities and needs.
  • Assists in the formulating of district policies, administrative regulations and strategic actions
  • Evaluates and makes recommendations for school counseling framework regularly.
  • Collaborates with administration with the implementation of plan process; SRBI/SAT, Section 504 & PPTs.
  • Participates in the development and articulation of the school counseling evidence-based curriculum.
  • Coordinates the implementation of the school counseling curriculum.
  • Assist in the establishment of district, building, and departmental objectives and assist with the development of a plan for implementation and evaluation of these objectives.
  • Model competence in counseling content, instruction, and pedagogy.
  • Lead department in developing and executing activities that promote postsecondary college and career readiness for all students.
  • Uses and coordinates the use of school data to ensure the counseling program is meeting the academic, college/career, and social-emotional development of all students.
  • Works with district administration to ensure a successful implementation and continuous evaluation of the comprehensive school counseling framework.
  • Identifies needs and assists with the implementation of staff development for counselors.
  • Coordinates the student course selection process within the department.
  • Ensure the use of the Services Delivery (school counselor) evaluation.
  • Plans and facilitates department meetings.
  • Participates on interview committees.
  • Carries student caseload as determined by the principal.
  • Assists in preparing an annual budget for the department.
  • Maintains an inventory of department supplies and equipment.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree in School Counseling, CT Certification in School Counseling (068) and School Administration (092) or Department Chair (105). 
  • Five (5) years of successful experience in school counseling. 
  • Prior demonstration of exemplary attendance and evaluation are expected of any candidate for hire.
  • Training and/or experience with college and career equity counseling or experience.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and expertise with the CCSCF and the ASCA National Model
  • Demonstrate knowledge of best practices and methodologies in school counseling, aligned with current state and national standards
  • Ability to work cooperatively with school leadership, staff, families and the community
  • Ability to exercise effective leadership in the supervision of staff
  • Ability to organize a department in a manner that meets the needs of the student population
  • Ability to work with district administration to ensure a successful implementation and continuous evaluation of a comprehensive school counseling framework
  • Ability to utilize technology and data to address student and department needs
  • Superior communication skills (oral and written)
  • High standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity