ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In accordance with the Standards for the Counselor Profession, counselors work under the supervision of site or central

office administrators and in collaboration with their school staff, families and community and are responsible for the

fulfillment of the essential duties set forth below:

I. GUIDANCE PROGRAM DELIVERY

1. Implements school counseling and guidance program curriculum: conduct counseling and guidance learning

activities in the classroom for each grade level during the year in collaboration with the teaching staff.

2. Participates in activities which contribute to the effective delivery of educational services: cooperate and

collaborate with other professionals in enhancing the education of students; establish and maintain effective

relationships with staff and administrators; communicate with administrators, teachers and staff, students, parents,

and the community regarding the counseling and guidance program and its role in the educational program.

3. Articulates with elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as post-secondary personnel to assist students in

making a smooth transition between each.

4. Confers with parents and assists them with problems and decisions which relate directly to the educational welfare

of their child.

5. Conducts structured, goal-oriented, individual, small and large group counseling sessions to assist students in

exploring, interpreting and developing personal decision making competencies, to enhance self-esteem and self-

understanding; develop academic, career and personal/social life plans.

6. Refers students and their parents to appropriate specialists, special programs, or outside agencies: consult and

collaborate with school system specialists such as school psychologists, and nurses; consult with and refer to

community-based resources including psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, service agencies, and others.

7. Reduces racial tensions and cultural isolation by promoting cultural understanding.

8. Participates as a member of the school sites Crisis Response Team.

9. Plan, evaluate, and revise the counseling and guidance program: review the counseling and guidance program

annually with other district counselors and administrators; establish a planning calendar for counseling and guidance

program activities; evaluate the site counseling and guidance program.

10. Attends district in-services and pupil services meeting as required.

11. Pursues professional growth.

12. Other duties as assigned.

II. ACADEMIC

1. Advises students in developing appropriate course choices based on long range plans of study and identified

career interests.

2. Works with teachers, the Guidance Team and parents in effectuating remediation plans for students with

attendance, behavior and learning problems.

3. Reviews, evaluates, and maintains students' academic records.

III. PERSONAL/SOCIAL

1. Collects, coordinates, interprets and disseminates meaningful information about students which leads to the

collaboration with other professionals to address students’ individual needs and special abilities.

2. Uses tools and techniques to appraise and assess the abilities, achievements, personal development and

interests of students.

3. Collaborates with administrators and teachers to handle behavior issues by developing and implementing

behavior support plans for students; incorporates guidance lessons that address repetitive behavioral issues:

respecting authority, anger management and bullying.

IV. CAREER

1. Guides students in developing present and future educational and career plans; interprets assessments to assist

students in career and educational planning; guides students in developing career and educational plans through

teaching and/or supervision of career development activities.

2. Coordinates opportunities and identifies students to participate in visits to college campuses, vocational

institutions and the like.

The length of the work year for all teachers/counselors is 184 days of service, except department heads and deans/head

counselors have 189 days of service. Principal expectations vary by school site. You may access and read individual

school profiles and academic plans at the following link: www.sfusd.edu/schools.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

SFUSD requires all counselors to hold a valid California Pupil Services Credential in School Counseling and a Masters

Degree in School Counseling.

2025-2026 School Counselor