Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors

Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.

Job Task

• Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.
• Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, other counselors, and administrators to resolve studentsÆ behavioral, academic, and other problems.
• Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
• Establish and enforce behavioral rules and procedures to maintain order among students.
• Establish and supervise peer counseling and peer tutoring programs.
• Instruct individuals in career development techniques such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
• Interview clients to obtain information about employment history, educational background, and career goals, and to identify barriers to employment.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Meet with other professionals to discuss individual studentsÆ needs and progress.
• Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
• Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops, in order to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Collaborate with teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of school programs.
• Encourage students and/or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals when necessary.
• Identify cases involving domestic abuse or other family problems affecting students' development.
• Observe children during classroom and play activities to gain additional information about them.
• Perform administrative duties such as hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
• Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.
• Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students or graduates identify and pursue employment opportunities.
• Provide information to businesses regarding human resource and employment issues.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their childrenÆs progress, and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs.
• Observe and evaluate studentsÆ performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences such as starting college.
• Plan and promote career and employment-related programs such as work-experience programs.
• Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
• Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
• Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
• Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
• Counsel students regarding educational issues such as course and program selection, class scheduling, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
• Evaluate individuals' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics using tests, records, interviews, and professional sources.
• Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available counseling services.
• Assess needs for assistance such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
• Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.
• Provide students with information on such topics as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.
• Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.
• Refer students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes, or educational assessments.
• Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
• Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs, and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.
• Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.

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