23-24 SY School Counselor - Sec School Counselor 7-12

Minimum Requirements

NOTE: External candidates or current SDP employees seeking to reclassify into a School Counselor role must go through, at least, two-steps to complete in order to determine eligibility.  First step is completion of the Eligibility Application to ensure minimum requirements are met, and the second step is an interview with members of the District’s Prevention and Intervention office.  Bilingual School Counselors must go through a third-step, which is a language assessment to confirm the bilingual skill.

• Master’s degree in school counseling at an accredited college or university

*Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania instructional specialist certificate endorsed for Elementary Counselor or Secondary Counselor (or Guidance Counselor Certificate issued prior to July 1, 1969) OR;
• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Elementary and Secondary School Counselor (PreK-12) certification OR;
• Presentation of an original, signed letter from the Certification Officer of an accredited college or university verifying current enrollment in an approved certification program in order to be eligible for an Emergency Permit.  

*Note: Certification must match the grade levels you are supporting

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• The principles, practices, and theories of individual/group counseling and behavioral intervention;
• The principles, practices, and theories or developmental/educational guidance;
• The current techniques and trends in counseling and guidance at the elementary, middle, and/or secondary level;
• Theories and principles of adolescent development, individual/group behavior, group dynamics, and interpersonal interactions;
• Communication skills and techniques;
• The current health, economic, and social problems experienced by urban families;
• The functions and resources of community/governmental agencies that provide support services for students and their families;
• For bilingual School Counselors, both English and the specified world language or English and American Sign Language or Signed English, including history and culture.

Demonstrated ability to:

• Provide counseling and guidance on an individual/group basis, and to conduct group support/guidance sessions;
• Employ tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive or personal problems and hostile attitudes;
• Work effectively with students and their families and aid them in the constructive use of their capacities to address their specific problems;
• Identify the signs of substance abuse and students at risk for suicide;
• Understand and interpret standardized test scores, making guidelines and promotional policies;
• Participate in crisis intervention;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Prepare and maintain student-counseling records, reports, correspondence, and statistical summaries;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships;
• For bilingual School Counselors: fluently speak, read, and write both English and the specified world language, or English and American Sign Language or Signed English.

PLEASE NOTE: Salary is commensurate with experience in education and educational attainment.  Both prior experience and educational degree must go through the District's verification process in order for final salary to be confirmed.  Please click this link to read through the process and download the verification forms for your previous employer(s) to complete.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination: The School District of Philadelphia provides to all persons equal access to all categories of employment in this District, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin or handicap/disability, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 104 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.