JOB TITLE: Senior High School Director of School Counseling

LOCATION: WestviewHigh School

Reports to: Building Principal

Work Schedule/ FLSA Status: 188 Days. Required to work a time equivalent of an additional 30 work days per negotiated agreement / Exempt

Salary Schedule: Commensurate with experience and education plus 15 percent of the regular teaching salary/ As outlined in applicable negotiated agreement

Position Purpose: The Senior High School Director of School Counseling serves as the director and point person for managing the school counseling department and assists the counselors with time management, organization, and data interpretation that assists all students in meeting district competencies through curriculum, individual planning and responsive services.

The OPS School Counseling framework is built on a strengths-based foundation. Strengths-based school counseling focuses on identifying strengths and promoting development. By assuming a more proactive role, students are served more effectively. School counseling services are delivered via curriculum, individual student planning, and responsive services with a focus on being data/results driven to ensure accountability.

OPS school counselors are responsible for monitoring the progress of their assigned students. School counselors focus on improving school connectedness to assist students and families in overcoming barriers that are impacting student success. The purpose of our School Counseling program (and our school counselors) is to support students' (K-12) preparation for college, career and life.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Education: Minimum of Bachelor's degree in school counseling from an accredited college or university.
• A valid NE Teaching Certificate or the ability to obtain one with appropriate endorsement(s) in School Counseling.
• Minimum of four years successful teaching experience. Successful teaching experience in a multicultural diverse urban setting preferred.
• Excellent attendance record
• Excellent communication skills oral and written
• Demonstrated understanding of the Omaha Public Schools Counseling Program vision, mission, purpose, curiculum, and functions
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Best Instructional Practices
• Positive interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the philosophy, purpose and function within an urban school district.
• Demonstrates an empathy for helping to lead a strong diverse urban educational environment.
• Demonstrated philosophy that all students can and will learn.
• Demonstrated record of success which exemplifies instructional leadership, standards of academic excellence and personal integrity.
• Knowledge of current educational/school counseling trends/issues impacting the high school.
• Skills in building and maintaining strong relationships with students, staff, parents, administration and the community.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment including appropriate handling of all confidential matters with a minimum of supervision.
• Exemplary problem solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated technology skills and experience with software including Infinite Campus, Microsoft Suite.
• Assists in Implementing Board policies and the Academic Action Plan School wide for the staff and students.
• Ability to make plans, schedules, decisions, and solve problems with only general direction.
• Ability to recognize, encourage and stimulate professional growth and initiative on the part of the staff
• The skills pertinent to positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with all staff, students, parents, administrators and the community. A willingness and demonstrated abilities conducive to a continuous quest for quality education.
• Knowledge of OPS's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them
• This individual will exhibit skills pertinent to foster positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with students, staff, parents and the community
• A willingness and demonstrated abilities conducive to a continuous quest for quality education.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Promote a school environment that is safe and conducive to student learning.
• Demonstrated philosophy that all students can and will learn.
• Serve as a member of the building leadership team representing the counseling department.
• Responsible for reporting information for the counseling department needed by school, district, or state stakeholders
• Oversees the operations of school counseling department and counselors and tasks including but not limited to transcripts, testing, and student records.
• Supports and implements the accepted OPS counseling vision, mission, and curriculum.
• Monitor the delivery, coordination, and articulation of instruction and work in counseling department.
• Adjusts to events, processes and behaviors which disrupt daily routines.
• Works extended hours, including evening activities, to meet job demands.
• Assists with counselor evaluation procedures (observations)
• Inventories, monitors and requests department supplies, materials and equipment.
• Assists with new teacher/counselor orientation and staff in-service needs.
• Promote continuous curriculum and instructional improvements.
• Work collaboratively with the Principal, Administrative Team, and school staff to best meet the educational/social/emotional needs of the student population based on individual student needs.
• Developing students' cognitive capacity and respect for learning
• Positively fostering students' self-esteem.
• Integration of leadership, technology, and communication in the department.
• Planning for and guiding the learning process to help student achieve program objectives.
• Maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning.
• Implementing useful diagnostic and progress assessment measures.
• Selecting and using effective instructional methods and learning materials.
• Establishing a cooperative relationship with all assigned students.
• Maintaining open lines of communication with parents, guardians and staff.
• Engaging in and leading professional growth activities through an ongoing program of job related knowledge and skill development.
• May be asked to work collaboratively with the Principal and Administrative Team in conducting, coaching visits and providing feedback for continuous growth to staff.
• Works collaboratively with the Principal and Administrative Team in guiding decision making and problem solving in relation to student, family, or team needs.
• Maintain the District's overall mission; assist in supporting and implementing board policies and the academic action plan school wide with students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members.
• Maintain the School's overall mission; assist in supporting and implementing school guidelines with students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members.
• Demonstrates the promotion of life-long learning by participating in pertinent professional development in both the academic curriculum as well as cultural proficiency and awareness of understanding diversity
• Maintain effective communication with all supporting divisions within the Omaha Public School district as well as students, staff, parents/guardians and community members.
• Communicates with a wide range of job-required personal contacts in a constructive, professional manner.
• Serves as a positive, mature role model.
• Meets regular and predictable attendance requirements.
• Prepares special and/or routine reports and letters of correspondence.
• The skills pertinent to positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with students, members of the instructional staff and the community.
• Working collaboratively to achieve the overall purpose of the school's program and support the District's vision, aims and goals.
• Integrating the themes of leadership, technology, and communication with a diverse population.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use SMART boards and iPads in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with OPS's guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel may be requested.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Work in school building environments

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and other stakeholders
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the building administration in order to complete day to day tasks
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must understand and respond appropriately to stakeholder needs and maintain a positive attitude with all
• Expected to interact with all internal and external stakeholders in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive service

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee's supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a full-time exempt certified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment or teaching in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time, and the Teacher Contract. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

Terms of employment are contingent upon:

• Verification of a valid Nebraska Teaching License or other required license.
• A background check which demonstrates background is acceptable for the position sought and working with or around students.
• Verification of U.S. Citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required by federal law for your position).
• Execution and delivery to OPS of a Teacher Contract presented by OPS.

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.