The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving

District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 198,405 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?

Job Summary

Advises students at an assigned secondary or middle school. Provides counseling services that foster the academic, personal, social and career development of all students. Provides individual/group counseling and guidance for students and implements broad based programs that deal with decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies and other issues. Serves as both the primary agent for addressing issues that impact on students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential and the school based resource for dealing with dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness and crisis prevention/intervention. Communicates with bilingual or deaf/hearing impaired student/families using English and a specified world language or English and American Sign Language or Signed English for the sign language specialty. Acts as a liaison between the school and various community/governmental agencies that may provide services to students and their families.

Essential Functions

All Specialties

•       Provides general school counseling and guidance programs and services including individual and group counseling and guidance.

•       Implements broad based programs dealing with decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies and other issues.

•       Plans and provides classroom guidance focusing on post high school planning, career exploration, family and/or peer relationships and decisionmaking.

•       Provides formal and informal counseling services to students and their parents concerning issues that are affecting or may affect the students’ academic achievement and/or social, emotional or personal development.

•       Serves as the primary agent for addressing issues that affect students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential.

•       Serves as the school based resource for dealing with dropout prevention, substance abuse, pregnancy, homelessness and crisis prevention/intervention.

•       Participates in team interventions with other staff to support students.

•       Collaborates with parents, teachers and other staff in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive educational program for students.

•       Makes referrals to outside agencies as needed and provides ongoing followup services to students and their parents.

•       Gathers and disseminates information on critical issues such as student substance abuse, suicide prevention, teen pregnancy and homeless.

•       Keeps abreast of current techniques and trends in school counseling and guidance for secondary and/or middle school students.

•       Prepares and maintains student-counseling records; prepares reports on students, correspondence and statistical summaries.

•       Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.

Additional Functions for the Bilingual Specialty

•       Provides students and families with general school and guidance programs and services in a specified worl