School Counselor

The role of the school counselor, which is in alignment with the safe school personnel/counselor guidance put forth by the State Department of Education, is to support the development of a safe and respectful positive school climate according to the needs of the school and in order to address a variety of potential barriers to academic success that may exist within the child, home, school and/or community. This position is funded by and serves the requirements of the SSP ESSER program at the school for which it is awarded and will implement School Counselor responsibilities as recommended by the American School Counselor Association.

Essential Duties & Accountabilities

• Attend required program training and conduct required program activities, including implementation of social emotional learning strategies.

• Participate in special education assessment alongside evaluators as deemed fit by the multidisciplinary evaluation team (MET).

• Work on and provide strategies/support to students in unique living circumstances that impact their adjustment to school.

• Develop and run counseling groups for students identified as having life circumstances that impact academic or social well-being within the educational environment.

• Work with families to mobilize school and community resources to assist with enabling learning within the educational program.

• Assist school personnel with the creation and implementation of positive behavioral supports.

• Work alongside other school mental health staff and school administration to provide crisis supports as deemed necessary.

• Provide consultative supports to school personnel to further understand the unique factors impacting and affecting a student’s behavioral, academic and/ or social emotional functioning within the educational environment.

• Develop and deliver staff training as needed.

• Knowledgeable about community resources to meet the needs of students.

• Interpret cognitive, aptitude and achievement tests.

• Provide counseling to students who experience chronic tardiness or absenteeism.

• Provide counseling to students who have disciplinary problems.

• Provide short-term individual and small group counseling services to students.

• Consult with teachers to schedule and present school counseling curriculum lessons based on developmental needs and needs identified through data.

• Interpret student records.

• Consult with teachers about building classroom connections, effective classroom management and the role of noncognitive factors in student success.

• Consult with the school principal to identify and resolve student issues, needs and problems.

• Advocate for students at individualized education plan meetings, student study teams and school attendance review boards, as necessary.

• Analyze disaggregated schoolwide and school counseling program data.

Competencies

• Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.

• Engage diversity and difference in practice.

• Advances human rights and social, economic, and environmental practice.

• Engages in policy practice.

• Engages with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

• Assesses individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

• Intervenes with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

• Evaluates practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

• Self-motivated and able to work in a quick paced environment.

• Ability to plan and manage multiple tasks in a timely manner.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to articulate knowledge and impart professional judgment in a clear and comprehensible manner.

• Neutrality is used when communicating with campus staff; decisions are made using data and guidance.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Immaculate organizational and time management skills.

• Exhibit appropriate professional conduct in all professional situations.

• Enjoys engaging in collaborative relationships and working within a strong team dynamic.

• Possess honesty, integrity, and a willingness to uphold the ethical standards of the professions embedded within special education teams.

• Feedback and constructive criticism are used to fuel future behaviors that promote staff performance as well as their own performance.

• Engages in active listening and ask questions when information is not understood.

• Open to new ideas and understands the importance of engaging in professional development.

• Ability to maintain composure remain neutral while completing responsibilities.

Requirements

• Holds appropriate credential/endorsement as a school counselor from the respective state Department of Education.

• School counselor work experience is preferred.

• Hold a Valid Driver’s License.

• Travel between assigned campuses as required.

• At Least 3 - years K-12 (SPED) teaching experience is preferred.

• The incumbent in this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• 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.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Duties are performed typically in school and/or office settings throughout the division. May include frequent walking, standing, stooping, lifting up to approximately 25 pounds and occasional lifting of equipment and/or materials weighing up to approximately 40 pounds may be required.

• Must be flexible with working environment as specific duties assigned to the position do not occur within a specific setting within the school environment; flexibility is needed.

Federal Funding

• The position is federally funded. The continuation of this position will be revisited annually based upon available funding.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Optional

License/Certification:

• School Counseling Certification (Required)

Work Location: One location