United States Virgin Islands Department of Education

 Division of Human Resources

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES                          

An individual selected for this position, will be working as a Guidance Counselor with primary responsibility for

administering aptitude, achievement and other such tests,  required in providing services to students.  This employee

would be responsible for interviewing students and parents based on test results. Work is performed in accordance

with program policies, rules and regulations, but an employee is allowed considerable latitude in varying the

approach to deal with a variety of students and parents so as to achieve the desired counseling objective. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):

·        Administers and scores aptitude, achievement and other tests to student as directed;

·        Confers with the Coordinator of Guidance Services concerning tests results and for determining methods and technique of counseling individual students;

·        Acquaints school principals with test results so that special arrangements may be made for not only outstanding students, but also students in need of other developmental services;

·        Conducts follow-up studies of school drop-outs for the purpose of obtaining information for use in recommending curriculum evaluation and revisions;

·        Assists school personnel with disciplinary problems by trying to isolate the causes of a typical behavior, counseling problem students, and recommending remedial action;

·        Performs related work as required. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

·        Completion of a Masters Degree in guidance and counseling; a minimum of 30 school months of successful teaching or counseling experience at the elementary or secondary levels

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS (Not All Inclusive)

·        Considerable knowledge of theory, principles and practice of guidance and counseling;

·        Considerable knowledge of the provisions of the National Defense Education Act in so far as it relates to guidance counseling;

·        Considerable knowledge of the dynamics of human behavior, with emphasis on the normal individual, but also typical behavior;

·        Ability to deal tactfully with students, parents, and guardians;

·        Ability to recognize and assemble pertinent information gained from interviews;

·        Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all persons contacted during the course of the work;

School Counselor Certification Information 

When Required

This certificate is required for a person serving in the employ of the Department of Education as a school counselor in kindergarten through grade 12 or coordinating school counseling services within a single school or several schools, except that a supervisor certification may be required if employed in a supervisory capacity.

Professional Educator Class II Certificate Requirements (valid for five years and renewable every five years with special requirements)

On and after August 7, 2003, to receive a Professional Educator Class II Certificate to serve as a school counselor, an applicant shall present evidence of meeting the following requirements:

A. Holds a master's degree;

B. Has completed, as part or in addition to the master's degree, a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in a planned program in school counseling services as attested to by an institution approved and/or accredited for the preparation of school counselors including study and experience to be distributed among each of the following;

1. Principles and philosophy of developmental guidance and counseling;
2. Psychological and sociological theory as related to children, youth and families;
3. Career development theory and practice;
4. Individual and group counseling procedures;
5. Organizational patterns and relationships of pupil personnel services to total school program and community;
6. Pupil appraisal and evaluation techniques; and
7. School based consultation theory and practice

C. Has completed a minimum of one introductory course in special education and computer;

D. Has a minimum of 30 school months of successful teaching or counseling experience at the elementary or secondary levels; OR

E. Holds or is eligible for a Virgin Islands Board of Education teaching certificate; and

F. Has completed all required assessments

(since 9/12/05)

Send mail to Saul Santiago at Teachusvi@doe.vi with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 02/25/08