Reports To:         Building Principal             

Position Purpose:   The counselor provides a comprehensive guidance and counseling program for students; consults and collaborates with teachers- parents- and staff; and provides support to school and district educational programs.

Qualifications:                 

• Master’s Degree in counseling from an accredited college/university
• Current Kansas teaching license required
• Two years’ accredited teaching experience
• Previous counseling experience preferred
• ESOL Endorsement preferred.

Physical/Emotional Requirements:  (The incumbent may be required to use the skills and abilities outlined below during any part of the working day.)

While performing the duties of this job- the employee is frequently required to sit- talk- and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision- distance vision- depth perception- and the ability to adjust focus.  The employee is required to interact with staff and to meet demands from several people. 

Performance Responsibilities: 

• Demonstrates an up-to-date and extensive knowledge of counseling and effectively communicates this understanding to students
• Provides information to students- parents- and community members regarding educational and career opportunities
• Coordinates- plans- and implements career activities
• Assists students in planning their high school curricular program
• Assists in registration and enrollment of students
• Provides individual and/or group counseling
• Assists in implementing the district assessment program
• Interprets test results to students- faculty- and administration
• Collaborates with middle school and post-secondary institutions to assist students in a smooth transition from middle to high school and high school to post-secondary education- employment- or military service
• Conducts orientations for incoming high school students
• Registers students new to the school and orients them to school procedures and various opportunities for learning
• Meets with representatives of vocational schools and the military services to discuss their programs and requirements and arranges meetings with students
• Selects- administers- and interprets standardized tests.
• Acquaints students and their parents with college entrance requirements and helps them make a comparison between the student’s academic record and abilities and the specific entrance requirements of the college in which the student is interested
• Assists students with college applications- including application for financial aid
• Keeps an up-to-date library of catalogs- college profiles- scholarship information- testing information- and Advanced Placement material
• Maintains a supply of current applications and information booklets for College Entrance Examination Board Tests and for the  American College Testing Program
• Arranges conferences for students between college admission officers who visit the high school
• Oversees the calculation of senior grade point averages and class rankings and the processing of transcripts
• Prepares and supervises the processing of evaluations- recommendations- and other forms as required by colleges and universities
• Demonstrates an understanding of how students develop and learn
• Modifies counseling to meet individual student needs
• Communicates high expectations to all students
• Possesses effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Collaborates with all stakeholders
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability when dealing with all stakeholders
• Clearly and effectively conveys ideas and thoughts to others
• Uses a variety of verbal- nonverbal- and media techniques
• Seeks- listens- and responds appropriately to suggestions- requests- and concerns
• Effectively implements the district-adopted curriculum
• Models and facilitates higher-order thinking- problem solving- creativity- and flexibility
• Makes students aware of assessment standards and learner expectations
• Assists students in developing self-assessment skills
• Maintains up-to-date records
• Creates a positive- inviting- and safe environment
• Communicates realistic and consistent expectations for student behavior
• Recognizes and appreciates diversity and individual differences
• Continuously improves professional skills
• Recognizes and provides for individual differences and adjusts practices accordingly
• Supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day
• Supports the District’s educational mission for all students and implements all Board regulations and policies in a fair and equitable manner
• Performs other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as the superintendent or designee may assign

Terms of Employment:

10.5 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board policy on evaluation of Support Service Personnel

Significant associations:

The performance responsibilities are not limited to those outlined in this description and may include any other responsibilities as assigned by the administrator/supervisor.

To apply for a position at Topeka Public Schools, please visit www.topekapublicschools.net, select Employment, and then Job Opportunities. Topeka Public Schools` students perform at the highest levels.  Students, staff members, and district leaders are recognized regularly for outstanding accomplishments. We offer a variety of comprehensive programs designed to fit to the needs and interests of all students. Excellence and equity are the standard. We educate all children. TPS schools have received national recognition for excellence in education, with several attaining the Kansas Standards of Excellence in reading and mathematics and many achieving remarkable double-digit gains. As the sixth largest school district in Kansas with an enrollment of about 12,000 students in elementary through high school, Topeka Public Schools is also the largest school district in Shawnee County.  Elementary schools range in size from 200 to 600 students. We have two elementary magnet schools.  One is a science and fine arts magnet school and the other is a computer magnet school. Middle school enrollments range between 400 to 600 students and our three high schools have enrollments of 800 to 1,800 students. Hope Street Academy, a charter high school, draws alternative students from across the district. A proud feature of our district is Hummer Sports Park, a six-sport complex featuring state-of-the-art facilities for football, track, soccer, baseball, softball, and swimming. We are committed to hiring and retaining superior employees to educate and meet the needs of each student. As the third largest employer in Topeka with over 2,400 certified and classified staff members, we provide a competitive salary schedule, district-paid insurance benefits, a generous leave package, and many other great benefits. If you are interested in joining our progressive school district, please check the job listings below and visit our website at www.topekapublicschools.net to learn more about Topeka Public Schools and complete your application.