Job Title:
Instructional Specialist - Counselor

Location:
Upper Marlboro, MD, US

Organization Name:
Guidance & Counseling Services

Department Description:

Under the direct supervision of the Instructional Supervisor - Guidance & Counseling Services, the Instructional Specialist - Counselor is responsible for acting as a change agent towards ensuring equity and access for all students by assisting in planning, developing and monitoring the implementation of K-12 guidance and counseling services and initiatives and executing administrative responsibilities as required. The incumbent's primary focus is to assist the Instructional Supervisor -Guidance & Counseling Services in developing an aligned counseling curriculum, program standards and providing technical assistance through modeling of critical components of an exemplar comprehensive school counseling program. They must also assist in providing professional development to school counselors, observe and evaluate staff upon principal's request.

Brief Description:

This is an ASASP Unit II Table F Grade 2 Position

Salary Range: $96,538 - $137,642

CLOSING DATE: May 12, 2021

Detailed Description:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Assists the Instructional Supervisor in establishing and providing systemic oversight of comprehensive data-driven school-counseling programs that are aligned with the mission and vision of our school district;

Assists in establishing and providing leadership in the implementation of the system's career and college readiness program strategies, goals and measurable targets (i.e. college aspirations, academic planning, student enrichment, college and career exploration and selection processes, assessments, college affordability planning, admissions and postsecondary transition);

Collects, analyzes and uses data to identify systemic achievement gaps, recommend systemic school counseling programs and to evaluate our progress in achieving district and office goals;

Conducts site visits as a coach to demonstrate essential counseling components (i.e. program planning, service delivery, classroom guidance lessons, groups and individual counseling strategies);

Provides formal and informal counselor observations with meaningful feedback to counselors;

Engages in collaborative planning with other disciplines, serving as counseling representative on systemize initiatives at the central office level;

Assesses in-service needs and provides leadership in development and implementation of ongoing staff development for counselors;

Coordinates ongoing curriculum writing and program document updates impactful for comprehensive school counseling services grades K-12;

Serves as liaison between counseling office and all stakeholders (internal and external);

Assists with community outreach and public relations strategies; and

Assists with recruitment and interviewing applicants for counseling placements.

PREVENTIVE AND RESPONSIVE SERVICES

Increases school counselors' awareness of evidence-based counseling strategies to promote students' academic, personal/social, behavioral and career success in order to provide preventive and responsive services to support culturally diverse student populations;

Provides protocols for the early identification and execution of redemptive action for students in danger of failing through the utilization of data systems, strategic planning, monitoring and documentation of services to increase promotion, attendance, student-school connectivity, post-secondary action, parental involvement and linkages of appropriate resources;

Provides technical assistance and ensures the proper utilization of the School Instructional Team, Response to Intervention and the Student Services Team to identify students in at-risk situations and proactively implements positive strategies to increase school success;

Collaborates with the 504 Program Coordinator to ensure school counselors' compliance in case management including student identification, documentation, plan writing, articulation, annual review and implementation of 504 services; and

Provides leadership to ensure district-wide compliance with MSDE's requirements for service delivery and documentation into Maryland Online IEP for all students who receive counseling as a related service.

SYSTEM SUPPORT

Ensures system of effective crisis response exists district-wide through the establishment of trained service providers, administrative procedures, evidence-based practices and resources, method of contact, consultation to counselors and principals and process evaluation;

Works with all central office and community stakeholders to conduct parent programs/informational sessions on topics that support student achievement, provide awareness of available counseling services, systemic programs, etc.;

Establishes and strengthens county-wide partnerships (i.e. schools, family and community agencies, universities, employers, organizations and associations) to increase resources for students towards graduation and college and career readiness; and

Provides consultation on appropriate school and/or community based referral resources to school counselors in assisting students, parents and families to address barriers to thriving and/or accelerate learning opportunities.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Maintains an accurate and confidential record-keeping system of all counseling documents provided by all School Counselors in assigned areas (i.e. SMART goals, Counselor-Principal Agreement, Closing the Gap Action Plan and Results) monthly reports, observations and evaluations;

Provides accurate academic advisement to counselors (i.e. courses needed for graduation, danger of not graduating, early graduation, advance placement, etc.); and

Collects and submits district-wide monthly data program reports in a timely fashion in accordance with systemic and departmental goals (i.e., personal education plan, scholarship, counselor/principal agreement, yearly calendar, etc.).

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Develops and conducts professional development for school counselors, administrators and other stakeholders through workshops, conferences and monthly meetings on best practices, trends and program standards of the counseling office; and

Performs related duties as required.

Job Requirements:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Demonstrated knowledge of national, state and local school counseling standards and the ASCA Model;

Demonstrated integrity in professional and ethical standards of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA);

Thorough knowledge of all current Prince George's County Policies and Procedures, initiatives, programs, resources, and student offerings;

Demonstrated leadership and expertise in the range of issues, programs, professional associations, journals, research and resources relevant to School Counseling;

Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to speak effectively to counselors, parents, administrators and students individually and in large or small forums;

Excellent human relations skills with the ability to establish good relationships with counselors, principals, administrators, parents and community stakeholders;

Effective interpersonal, problem solving and mediation skills;

Capacity to work with a diverse cultures competently; and

Ability to use a technological programs to retrieve, disaggregate and report data to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Survey, SchoolMax, and other system specific platforms.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Master's degree in School Counseling from an accredited college or university; a minimum of five (5) successful years as a practicing school counselor at the elementary, middle school level or high school level. National Board Certified Counselor recommended (NCC or NCSC).

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Advanced Professional Certificate in School Counseling and Administration I Certificate required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No direct supervisory responsibilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

None.

Additional Details:

Direct Deposit is expected as a condition of new hire employment.

As a condition of employment, all applicants for employment must be qualified to work in the United States without sponsorship by PGCPS. If you are not work-authorized and would require PGCPS to sponsor you for a work visa you will not be considered for employment.

How To Apply:

To submit an application online select apply.

Please provide three (3) current professional references on resume.

Please complete ALL sections and provide applicable details to ensure full consideration. If you need assistance with submitting your application online, please contact the HR Employee Services Center at 301-780-2191.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.


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