Bendle Public Schools
Job Description: Middle School Counselor
Reports To: Middle School Principal
Summary
The Middle School Counselor plays a vital role in supporting the academic, social-emotional, and personal development of all middle school students. Working as a key team player within the school community, the counselor delivers comprehensive guidance programs—including whole-class SEL lessons, small group counseling, individual support, and academic/course scheduling. The ideal candidate builds strong, positive relationships with students, staff, and families, and fosters early post-secondary awareness to prepare students for high school and beyond.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Group Counseling
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Design and deliver engaging, proactive whole-class and small-group SEL lessons addressing age-appropriate topics (e.g., emotional regulation, conflict resolution, peer relationships, and decision-making).
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Facilitate structured group counseling sessions focused on developing healthy social interaction, communication skills, and peer support networks.
Academic Advising & Scheduling
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Demonstrate proficiency and leadership in creating and managing school schedules, collaborating with school leadership to ensure an efficient master schedule.
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Guide students through course planning tailored to their individual academic aptitudes, standardized test results, career interests, and learning goals.
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Monitor academic progress, identifying at-risk students and collaborating with teachers and parents to implement targeted academic interventions.
Post-Secondary Exploration
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Introduce early career and post-high school opportunity planning, helping middle schoolers connect current academic efforts to future educational and vocational pathways.
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Coordinate career awareness activities, interest inventories, and exposure to post-secondary options.
Family & Community Engagement (Including Evening Events)
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Establish and maintain open, effective, and collaborative relationships with students, staff, and families.
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Host and facilitate required evening conferences and events, including:
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New Student Orientation programs to support smooth transitions into middle school.
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Serve as a liaison between the school, home, and community resources.
Team Collaboration & General Responsibilities
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Work collaboratively as a dedicated team player with administrators, grade-level teams, special education staff, and multidisciplinary support teams.
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Develop, implement, and monitor Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs) in collaboration with teachers, administrators, special educators, and families to promote positive behavioral growth and academic success.
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Participate in school teams (e.g., MTSS, 504 planning, PBIS, and safety teams).
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Perform other essential professional duties appropriate for a middle school counselor as assigned by the Principal.
Supervisory Responsibilities
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Student Supervision: Maintain active supervision of students during counselor-led activities, transition periods, counseling sessions, and scheduled supervisory duties (e.g., hallway, arrival/dismissal, or lunch monitoring as assigned).
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Student Helpers: Provide direct oversight, training, and supervision for student office helpers/counseling aides, promoting task responsibility, confidentiality awareness, and positive work habits.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education, Certificates, & Licensing
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Education: Master’s Degree in School Counseling. Specific coursework related to Middle School.
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Licensure: Valid State School Counselor License or Certification (K–12 or Middle Level).
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Experience: Previous experience working with middle school populations preferred. Demonstrated experience in master/student scheduling and data-driven guidance programs is highly desirable.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
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Strong understanding of early adolescent development, trauma-informed practices, and SEL frameworks.
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Excellent organizational skills with proven capability in course scheduling software and Student Information Systems (SIS).
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Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with diverse student populations, caregivers, and colleagues.
Language & Communication Skills
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Oral & Written Communication: Ability to articulate complex educational data, test results, and developmental concepts clearly and empathetically to parents, staff, and students.
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Presentation Skills: Confident in presenting to small and large audiences, including classrooms, faculty meetings, and evening parent workshops.
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Interpersonal Skills: Outstanding active listening, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and ethical standards (ASCA).
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
Frequently required to walk, stand, sit at a desk, and move throughout school hallways and classrooms.
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Ability to speak clearly and hear comfortably in environments with varying noise levels.
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Occasional light lifting (up to 20 lbs) for event setup, testing materials, or counseling resources.
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Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus (e.g., computer work, reviewing student files).
Work Environment
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The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet during individual sessions to moderate/loud during class activities, passing periods, or large group events.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The school district is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws, reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of this position, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the organization.
