Guidance Counselor

Job Summary: 

In striving to teach truth, equip generations and change the world for God’s glory, the purpose of this ministry description is to outline the spirit and character of the role you are committing to and the minimum expectations therein. We do not seek to classify every specific of the role but to encourage each person to serve according to their gifts, skills and the leading of the Holy Spirit, trusting that all staff will work for the benefit of the students and in support of each other, knowing that it is the Lord Jesus Christ we are serving. To this end, the core expectations for this role are laid out below.

Duties & Responsibilities: Academic Counselling

• Oversight of Academic Records
  • Create and maintain transcripts for all High School students as well as for any MS/HS students departing Bingham (also ensuring database is tracking these well)
  • Working with office staff to ensure transcripts, reports or other information and documents required by students moving to other schools or to tertiary study are available for students and their families
  • Oversee and coordinate the writing of references and letters of recommendation for senior students applying to universities and colleges
  • Ensure that students have all the necessary records upon graduation
• Oversight of Student Academic Program
  • Communicate any changing curriculum needs for university entrance to curriculum coordinator and principal
  • Work alongside the Secondary Principal/SET (Secondary Education Team) with regard to subject selection and timetabling at the start of and throughout the academic year
  • Work alongside the Director of Holistic Student Development to ensure continued development and delivery of the careers program in the final High School years, especially within the PSSHE classes
  • Work with SET to support student’s academic well being
  • Meet with families around academic support and planning as needed

Duties & Responsibilities: University and Career Advertisement

• Career Advertisement

• Meet with High School students, especially of grades 11 & 12, to discuss and establish a plan for future college/university applications and career options
• Maintain open communication with parents regarding help with navigating university application processes and university/college credit
• Work with PSSHE teachers to help plan sessions through the Middle and High School classes to enable students to investigate a variety of careers and make informed choices (see special projects below), this may include:

• Meeting with classes to speak about possible future career options, academic pathways and planning for the future
• Assisting students in identifying their strengths and gifts and connecting these to possible future careers
• Arranging opportunities for students to learn more about various career options and speaking to classes as requested

• Speak at parent information meetings about preparing students for future
• Have resources available to share with students and their parents regarding future careers, including resources on vocation or technical training, college/university, military options and future careers

• University Advisement
  • Communicating important information regarding applications for college or testing, deadlines, test dates and application dates concerning college/university entrance - following up with students regarding these
  • Maintain an up to date list of contacts of guidance personnel in other schools, universities, colleges and relevant agencies pertinent to student body
  • Assisting students in choosing a university. In order to do this adequately, the Guidance Counselor should keep up-to-date pertinent catalogues and other materials available
  • Assisting with college applications process and where appropriate the scholarship application process
  • Coordinate visiting from college representatives at school, including attendance of students at ICS college fair
  • Corresponding with colleges on behalf of seniors when problems arise
  • Ensure Bingham has a written policy regarding the transfer and acceptance of credit requirements for promotion, graduation, and honours that can be communicated to universities

Duties & Responsibilities: Oversight of Standardised Testing

• Ordering and administering standardised testing (currently the PSAT exam)
• Communicating important deadlines and test dates - following up

Duties & Responsibilities: Leadership and Management

• Work with colleagues to formulate aims, objectives and strategic plans for the department which have coherence and relevance to the needs of students and to the aims, objectives and strategic plans of the school
• Promote teamwork, motivate staff to ensure effective working relations and promote collaboration across departments
• Liaise with the examinations officer for the provision of arrangements for examinations
• Provide information, data and reports on the performance of the department of the Leadership Team as required

Duties & Responsibilities: Wider School Environment

• Participate in student chapel regularly
• Participate in school activities outside of class time according to interest and need
• Actively supervise students during breaks and before/after school as scheduled
• Comply with reasonable directions given by a supervisor/principal/leadership

Bingham Academy Staff Code

• Adhere to Bingham Academy’s values and behaviours as defined in The Bingham Way
• Maintain a tidy standard of attire appropriate to working in a school
• Respect issues of confidentiality and privacy 
• Follow school policies and guidelines at all times
• Be fully supportive of the mission, vision and the philosophy of the school
• Adhere to the Bingham Academy work culture guidelines 

Ministry Fundamentals for All Staff

• Culture
  
  • Be an ambassador and advocate for Bingham Culture as laid out in the Bingham Culture Guidelines
  • Attend staff devotions regularly
• Communication
  • Facilitate open, engaging and positive communication between students, parents and staff
  • Facilitate appropriate communication boundaries with parents
• Discipleship
  • Intentionally strive to engage in meaningful, discipleship relationships within the Bingham community, impacting both truth and life, for the purpose of building up others in their faith

Terms of Service: 

• Working hours: ………………………………
• When sick or in an emergency you will inform your supervisor…………………. Put a request through Bamboo HR.
• Except for emergencies, do not use your personal phone to check social media etc. while on duty
• The rules and regulations in the employee /staff handbook are part of the terms of service
• Maintain proper certification (ie. ACSI certifications, teaching licences, etc.), as relevant, in order to keep your work permit
• Consult HR and your supervisor before planning Special Leave or Extended Leave