Guidance Counselor | High School (JHS)  

Summary of Work Activities and Responsibilities:

The Guidance Counselor provides comprehensive guidance and counseling services
supporting students and parents in navigating through the process of healthy school adjustment.

The position will develop programs and activities that will lead students to desired outcomes as envisioned by the program area’s mission and objectives.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

I. Guidance Curriculum and Student Outcomes

• Identifies and advocates for desired student outcomes relevant to the assigned grade level, based on professional standards
  • Sets clear and measurable objectives for academic, career, and personal-social development and actively promotes these goals among students, parents, and staff
• Designs, implements, and evaluates the guidance curriculum and programs to achieve the set student outcomes
  • Develops a comprehensive plan of activities tailored to the unique needs of each grade level based on professional standards and practices
  • Facilitates and delivers designed guidance activities and lessons in coordination with faculty, administrators, and staff to ensure smooth execution and integration
  • Conducts regular assessments and gathers feedback from students, faculty, and parents to measure the effectiveness of the curriculum
• Submits a year-end report to the Guidance and Counseling coordinator detailing the curriculum's effectiveness and areas for improvement

II. Student Support and Counseling

• Conducts and documents regular one-on-one consulting sessions with students to discuss their academic progress, career aspirations, and personal-social issues
• Assists students in academic planning through individual or group counseling, providing effective goal-setting strategies and support to help them achieve their educational objectives
• Identifies students who require additional or specialized support beyond the scope of school-based counseling services and coordinates referrals to external professionals or specialists, such as psychologists, therapists, or social workers to provide long-term assistance.

III. Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborates with administrators, student leaders, parents, and staff to effectively implement the guidance curriculum
  • Organizes meetings and workshops that align with curriculum goals
  • Facilitates open communication channels that address any concerns or feedback
• Provides feedback to teachers, coordinators, administrators, and parents, and conducts case conferences as needed, ensuring confidentiality and adherence to data privacy laws
• Participates and shares relevant information in inter-level articulation sessions and year-end student deliberations within the bounds of confidentiality

IV. Testing and Research

• Assists the Testing and Research Office in administering and interpreting standardized guidance tests to students, parents, and teachers
• Supports the Admission and Aid Office in administering entrance tests to student applicants and making recommendations for admissions
• Initiates and participates in the program area's annual research activities

V. Professional Development and Advocacy

• Stays updated in the field of Guidance and Counseling by attending seminars, reading professional journals, collaborating with colleagues, and pursuing further studies
• Acts as a systems change agent to enhance psychological safety, equity, and achievement opportunities for all students

VI. Performs other duties as may be directed by the immediate supervisor and authorized representative.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced Assessment Skills: Proficient in administering, evaluating, and assessment of psychological and counseling tests
• Effective Communication Skills: Proficient in communicating effectively both orally and in writing to convey information clearly and concisely
• Organizational and Administrative Skills: Possesses strong organizational abilities to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Commitment to Customer Service Excellence: Dedicated commitment to delivering high-quality service and meeting the needs of students with professionalism and courtesy
• Interpersonal Relations Skills: Ability to foster positive interpersonal relationships with stakeholders in a collaborative environment
• Compliance Management Skills: Knowledgeable ensuring adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines within counseling practice
• Risk and Crisis Management: Ability to respond effectively during emergencies and provide appropriate support
• Technological Savvy: Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications and ability to quickly learn relevant applications used in counseling practice
• Program Planning and Design: ability to gather and analyze data, determine needs, and design interventions that are innovative and targeted to address different realities
• Organization and Prioritization of Work: Ability to effectively plan and coordinate the delivery of required outcomes, according to importance and urgency; keen to details

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Master's degree (MA/Med/MS) in counseling, school counseling, counseling psychology, educational psychology, or a related field
• Licensed Guidance Counsellor
• With relevant experience in counseling, preferably in an educational setting
• Knowledge of developmental theories and counseling techniques relevant to children and adolescents
• With proof of excellent performance from previous work