Secondary Guidance Counselor (2026 - 2027) (West Middle School)

FORT ZUMWALT SCHOOL DISTRICT PS605

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REPORTS TO: Building Principal

FLSA: Exempt

Note: Critical features of this job are described under the headings below. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

POSITION PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The purpose of the secondary school counselor is to help students overcome problems that impede learning and to assist them in making educational, occupational, and life plans that hold promise for their personal fulfillment as mature and responsible adults.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate will hold a valid Missouri School Counselor Certificate, a master’s degree or equivalent, representing intensive course work in the principles and practices of educational counseling, educational testing and measurement, the organization and administration of counseling services, and the psychology of learning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Register new students to school and orient them to school procedures and the school's varied opportunities for learning.
• Aid students in course and subject selection.
• Collaborate with families and staff to support students with disabilities.
• Work to discover and develop the special abilities of students.
• Counsel with students on an individual or group basis to help find solutions to personal problems related to attendance, home and family relations, health, and emotional adjustment.
• Work with students to achieve academic success by means of individual or group conferences concerning attendance, study skills, progress reports, grades, promotion, appropriate placement, and high school graduation credits.
• Work to prevent students from dropping out of school.
• Work closely with special programs established by Board policy such as attendance committee, Zumwalt Alternative Educational Program, special education staffing, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) conferences.
• Obtain and disseminate occupational information to students and to classes studying occupations.
• Help students evaluate career interests and choices and assist students in pre\-employment efforts and placement on the job.
• Confer with parents whenever necessary.
• Interpret the counseling program to the community.
• Confer with administrators and faculty on matters of student discipline.
• Maintain student records and protect their confidentiality.
• Select, administer, and interpret standardized tests to assist students in making appropriate career choices.
• Maintain a file of catalogs, school profiles, and scholarship/financial aid information related to schools, colleges, and institutions offering post\-secondary vocational training and education.
• Provide student information to colleges and potential employers according to provisions of the Board's policy on student records.
• Make recommendations to colleges for admissions and scholarships.
• Meet with representatives of vocational schools, academic colleges, and the military services to discuss their programs and requirements and arrange meetings with students.
• Serve as a liaison and also make referrals to agencies outside the school, such as the Department of Social Services, the courts, children's division, psychiatrists, and counselors.

Conduct an annual follow\-up study on high school graduates.

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ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in written form, with administrators, staff, and the community as needed.
• Provide in\-service training on counseling topics for teachers and student teachers.
• Provide for his or her own professional growth through an ongoing program of reading, workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or advanced coursework at institutions of higher learning.

Any other duties so assigned by the principal.

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MENTAL DEMANDS

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to identify the needs and abilities of individual students and to adapt instructional methods accordingly. The counselor will read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, board policy, administrative procedures and forms, and governmental regulations and guidance. This person should also have the ability to maintain highly confidential information; communicate clearly both orally and in writing, and/or ability to reason and make appropriate decisions, as well as, solve a variety of problems in many different situations and have strong attention to detail.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this position an employee is regularly required to speak and hear in an environment where numerous conversations and activities may be taking place simultaneously, and read handwritten or printed material.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The individual who holds this position will regularly work in a school environment that is noisy and active. Occasionally, the individual will be required to work outdoors for short periods of time to perform such tasks as loading and unloading students from district transportation.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and work year will be in accordance with the current teacher salary schedule and the Professional Agreement. Days employed in excess of the established work calendar shall be payable at the employee’s regular daily rate.

EVALUATION

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with the provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of professional personnel.

Approved: April 5, 1982; Revised: July 19, 2004, December 20, 2021, May 19, 2025