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Position Title:

Assistant Director, School Counseling

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Salary Grade, if non-union:

SG20

Pay Grade, if union:

Non-Union or Specific Collective Bargaining Agreement:

Non-Union

Our Mission:

The mission of Polk County Public Schools is to provide a high quality education for all students.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The duties are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by the employee assigned to the position. This job description is not meant to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. Other duties may be assigned which are not listed. Additionally, when duties and responsibilities of this job change, this job description will be reviewed and updated, subject to changes and business necessity.

Custom Job Purpose:

The purpose of this job is to plan, implement, and monitor the District#s K-12 School Counseling Program. Collaborates with principals, school-based counselors, success coaches, and other school-based support personnel, district staff, and parents to ensure appropriate implementation of the school counseling program. This position is responsible for the development and implementation of professional development, supports and mentors school counselors, and ensures the effective utilization of staff and resources through the alignment with American School Counseling Association Model.

Essential Functions of this Job

All duties performed in cooperation and collaboration with the Senior Director, Office of Acceleration & Innovation.

Responsible for the Florida DOE School Counseling report and any additional reports requested.

Provide leadership in the design, delivery, evaluation and improvement of comprehensive school counseling programs in a systematic manner to improve the academics, attendance, career awareness and behavior of all students.

Identify in-service training needs of counselors, success coaches and develop/implement appropriate in-service programs that focus on the delivery of comprehensive services that reflect national school counseling standards.

Supervises assigned personnel, conducts annual performance appraisals, and makes recommendations for appropriate employment action.

Provide relevant school counseling information regarding questions from schools, students, parents, and stakeholders on the interpretation of policies, procedures, legal/ethical issues, and district/state initiatives.

Work in conjunction with the district staff in the accomplishment of district goals and objectives, such as the Student Progression Plan, Master Scheduling Handbook, School Counseling Handbooks, Grade Reporting Handbook, and student records.

Gather, review and analyze data reports to improve academics, increase the promotion rate, increase the graduate rate and decrease the dropout rate.

Oversees and approves course adoption requests.

Support school counselors with appropriate student scheduling and advising, grade recovery initiatives, and accurate grade records reporting.

Oversees district-wide events and activities to promote post-secondary planning and awareness for students and parents; including, but not limited to the annual Polk District College Fair, financial aid planning, and college and career planning.

Review program policies, procedures and operation to determine adequacy of the school counseling program in meeting school district objectives and the needs of the students and parents.

Identify and develop reports that support and assist school-based counselors, success coaches, and administrators with their responsibilities related to school improvement goals.

Visits schools and observes on a regular basis to ensure consistency of implementation of the school counseling program.

Coordinate and recommend placement for interns and practicum school counseling students. Obtain and maintain articulation agreements with post-secondary institutes for hosting school counseling practicum/intern students.

Collaborate with district administrators to develop, lead, and implement a systematic progress that identifies and addresses inequalities and other experiences that create barriers to student engagement and achievement.

Develop and implement systems and procedures to address the needs of culturally and emotionally diverse students, parents, and families.

Support school-based student success coaches with monitoring and providing interventions related to academic progress, over-aged student progress, gpa, and course completions/credits, behavior, referrals, in-school and out-of-school suspensions, attendance, and tardies.

Audit school-based graduation/withdraw codes to ensure accuracy.

Review student records/referrals and make placement recommendations for alternative program placement.

Attend local, state, and national school counselor conferences to keep abreast of legislative and national changes and conveys new developments in the field to other school counselors.

Advocate for programs and services that lead to student success and achievement with school staff members, parents, district- and state-level staff, school board members and the community.

Collaborate with school staff members, parents, district-and state-level staff, school board members and the community to remove barriers and implement resources for student success.

Provide leadership in the process of hiring qualified, diverse professional school counselors.

Provide insight into problem areas in the school counseling programs, determine resolutions and supervise the coordination of remedial action.

Non-Essential Functions of this Job

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of School Board policy. Specific knowledge and experience of the operation of a school and district-based school counseling program. Bilingual/biliterate preferred.

Education, Experience and/or Certification/License Requirements

Graduated from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling or Counselor Education, and certification in guidance and counseling. A minimum of five years of experience as a school counselor to include some experience at the secondary school level. Must possess the ability to organize and lead school counseling program and guide/train staff in effective techniques and strategies. Must possess an in-depth knowledge of child development, group and individual counseling techniques, conflict resolution techniques, and community resources. Must possess excellent leadership, communication, problem solving, and interpersonal skills. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, and staff members. Experience in related leadership or supervisory preferred.

Work Context:

Requires some sitting and standing, walking and moving about to coordinate work. Requires the use of alternative communication systems, such as electronic mail, telephones and computers. Requires coordination of work tasks to establish priorities, set goals and meet deadlines. Requires face-to-face discussions and contact with individuals and/or teams. Requires work with both internal and external contacts, and with the public.

Physical Environment:

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects.

Local Code:

10501

EEO5:

3

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, prohibits any and all forms of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, homelessness, or disability or other basis prohibited by law in any of its programs, services, activities or employment.