Background Shadow

Counselor Applicant Information for JCPS Counselor Position Openings

We are pleased that you are interested in being an applicant for counselor. If you are approved to be a candidate eligible for hiring, you will remain active for consideration of being slated for twelve months only. If you wish to be an applicant following your 12 month activation period, you must contact us at the end of your 12 month activation period and reapply. The screening and slating procedures are described below.

Screening Procedures

A. Application 

Each applicant completes an online application on the JCPS Employment Opportunities Website and uploads as file attachments the following information to Ms. Tiffeny Gerstner, Director of Administrator Recruitment and Development

  • letter of interest for EACH LEVEL applied for (Elementary, Middle, High)
  • current resume
  • copy of a current certificate or status of Kentucky counseling certification
  • list of six references with names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses
  • Two references must be from supervisors, including the current supervisor, two references should be from peers, and two others from whomever the applicant chooses

B.Technology Application and Assessment

Applicants demonstrate competency in

  • word processing functions including table creation
  • internet application
  • knowledge of technology practices for schools

Applicants who have established a score are not required to repeat the exercise, but may. The most recent score will be used. The exercise runs for one hour and applicants will be assigned a date and time to participate.

C. Writing Skills Assessment

During the Technology Application and Skills Assessment, applicants produce a memo that will be scored as a writing sample. Applicants who have established a score are not required to repeat the exercise, but may. The most recent score will be used.

D. Problem-Solving Exercise<

Applicants participate in web-based applications dealing with

  • Guidance Program: Design and Mission
  • Student Support: Social/Emotional Learning
  • School Culture: Caring Environment
  • Student Achievement: Using Data
  • Instructional Planning for Student Needs
  • Counselor Ethics

The activity is approximately 2 1/2 hours. Applicants who have established a score are not required to repeat the exercise, but may. The most recent score will be used. Applicants will be assigned a date and time to participate.

E. Attendance Records 

Attendance of JCPS employees will be considered by determining the average number of sick days used in the best four out of the last five attendance years. An exception letter may be submitted for any year in which more than 10 sick days were used as a result of unusual circumstances (accident, surgery, childbirth, family emergency, etc.). The exception memo should be signed by your supervisor at the time of the absences.

ELIGIBILITY AND HIRING PROCESS

A committee of district-level administrators considers applications and screening data to identify candidates to be recommended for slating consideration. The Superintendent approves candidates who are eligible to be interviewed for openings at the school level. All counselor candidates will be notified of their eligibility status including those who are not approved for the list. When a school has a counselor vacancy, the school will follow their SBDM policy on personnel selection in choosing candidates to interview from the list approved by the Superintendent. Candidates recommended by the school/SBDM Council will be employed by the Superintendent.

All counselor applicants will be sent two screening letters during this process.

1) Letter with applicant scores;

2) Eligibility letter stating whether the applicant is eligible, eligible pending certification, or not eligible is sent after Eligibility Lists are approved.

 

Date Modified 11/1/11