Position Description 

 

TITLE: School Counselor        Resident REPORTS TO: Assigned Supervisor 

 

DEPARTMENT: Talent             CLASSIFICATION: Classified 

 

FLSA: Exempt                         WORK YEAR/HOURS: 10 months / 16 hours per week (minimum)

 

Created: June 2019                 SALARY GRADE: Stipend 

 

BASIC FUNCTION: Residents spend the full academic year in a district school, developing under the guidance of an experienced mentor school counselor. Using a variety of counseling skills, interventions, and evidence-based practices, mentors provide valuable insight into effective school counseling, helping residents develop the knowledge, skills and experiences that come from years of experience in high-need schools. Over the course of the year, school counselor residents experience an extensive side-by-side mentorship model that includes, observation, shadowing, co-facilitation, and deep collaboration in addition to supporting students with individual and group counseling.  Residents will support students with academic, college/career, and academic development. Mentors continuously provide feedback and guidance to support resident’s development of counseling skills, intervention strategies, and understanding of public school systems.

 

School Counselor residency programs offer a unique synthesis of theory and practice, combining a yearlong classroom apprenticeship with a carefully aligned sequence of master’s-level coursework. Residents receive a stipend for living expenses throughout their training year.

 

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: Incumbent may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but are intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Provide group and individual counseling to students overall well-being and academic success
• Collaboratively and then independently support the academic, college/career and social-emotional development of students across a multi-tier multi-domain system of support (MTMDSS)
• Collaboratively and then independently develop high-quality classroom counseling curriculum, lessons, and presentations
• Collaboratively and then independently serve in collaborative meetings, including COST, IEP meetings, and grade-level meetings
• Collaboratively and then independently respond to tier 3 student needs, including crisis response and dropout prevention
• Support and participate actively in school-wide activities and events
• Learn cultural competency skills through training and the use of cultural competency assessment tools. 
• Take direction from the Coordinator of School Counselor Residency, site leader, and site-based mentor. 
• Communicate proactively and professionally with the Coordinator of School Counselor Residency, cohort members, and site colleagues. 
• Successfully complete counseling credential coursework through Partner University and remain in good standing. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

The District determines whether a candidate is qualified based on the fulfillment of prerequisites, relevant work experience, ability to perform the essential functions, reference checks, effective interpersonal and communication skills demonstrated by interview performance and/or writing samples, and achievement on performance-based assessments (if applicable) that demonstrate the candidate possesses the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities. Meeting prerequisites only satisfies the initial screening process and does not indicate the candidate is qualified to perform the essential functions of the position. 

 

KNOWLEDGE OF: 

• Child growth/development and behavior characteristics 
• Diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of District students 
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation 
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy 
• Computer software, hardware, information and related technology 

 

ABILITIES TO: 

• Communicate with, support and build relationships with students and their families Collaborate and be a positive team player with colleagues, parents and community members to affect the best outcomes for students 
• Motivate and support diverse students in reaching high levels of academic success Take risks, innovate and problem-solve to best meet the needs of students and learn from data to improve student learning 
• Work with people from diverse ethnic groups 
• Effective communication skills both in oral and written form 
• Work with children with disabilities if required 

PREREQUISITES: 

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college 
• Experience working with students and families from historically underserved communities 
• Enrollment in a partner institution of higher education’s school counselor preparation program/master’s degree program 
• Desire to become a credentialed school counselor serving students in educationally underserved communities 
• Receptiveness to feedback and desire to continuously improve 
• Dedication, commitment and resilience to succeed in an urban public school Commitment to become an active participant in a school community – attending school performances, school assemblies, extracurricular activities, field trips and conduct home visits 
• Valid California Driver’s License, if applicable 

 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS: 

Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance

 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

 

ENVIRONMENT: 

Office and diverse school site environments; driving a vehicle to conduct work; fast-paced work; constant interruptions 

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Consistent mental alertness; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects up to 30 pounds, occasionally 30+ pounds; bending and twisting at the waist, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; dexterity of both hands and fingers while performing duties; seeing to read, write and use the computer; hearing and speaking to exchange information, in person or on the telephone, and make presentations. 

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

The Oakland Unified School District does not discriminate in any program, activity, or in 

employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic 

information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation.