Position Title:            Special Programs Counselor

Department:             Special Programs

Reports To:               Coordinator of Counseling & Career Services

FLSA Status:             Exempt

SUMMARY 

Provides support services to students served through Individualized Education Plans, Section 504 Accommodation Plans, and Alternative Learning. Delivers direct individual/group counseling services to identified students in order to improve organizational, social, and behavioral skills in the school setting. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES   

• Meets with student/teacher/parent and other service providers to assess the student’s needs in order to improve social/behavioral skills and adaptive functioning.
• Provides direct individual/group/family counseling and behavioral support to identified students.
• Participates in the development of behavioral goals, interventions, and treatment plans for identified students.
• Collaborates and consults with community agencies to identify and coordinate resources to support students and families.
• Acts as liaison between alternative environments and home school to facilitate transitions and successful re-entry into home school with ongoing monitoring.
• Consults with and trains school personnel regarding the use of research-based behavioral/social-emotional interventions and crisis management.
• Collaborates with teachers and various school teams (i.e. SIT, IEP, 504) to develop strategies, interventions and accommodations to support identified students.
• Maintains current counseling service notes, documentation and records.
• Collects behavioral, academic and social data to monitor student progress and determine treatment plans.
• Provides crisis support services across the school district (i.e. student deaths).
• Works closely with Coordinator of Compliance to assess the need for referrals to outside agencies such as DSS, DJJ, DDSN, DMH, medical and psychiatric, and maintains contact with these agencies.
• Assists in the development and implementation of ongoing departmental programs to enhance parent involvement and education.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, or counseling. It is desirable to have experience in providing counseling services to children in a school or mental health facility setting. Knowledge of behavioral interventions and community resources is necessary.

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

State Licensure in Social Work (LMSW, LISW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Not Applicable

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures and instructional manuals.  Ability to design and write professional development plans, reports and data entry procedures.  Ability to effectively present professional development and training and respond to questions from groups of educators, trainees, administrators and organization members. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in units of measurement, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and in the display and interpretation of data.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret and carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work related issues and problems. Ability to quickly assess employee, departmental, and administrative needs and provide timely feedback.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

Ability to implement a flexible work schedule to meet the reporting deadlines.   Proficiency with Microsoft applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint required.  Ability to perform duties with a high level of detail and accuracy. Ability to self-monitor and manage multiple tasks while working individually and with members of a group.

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 the essential functions.

The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds such as boxes of materials.  The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as furniture or boxes of materials.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen and/or reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision.  Some driving required.  The employee is frequently required to interact with the public or other staff.  The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being of students.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in this environment is usually moderate.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT 

190 Days/8 Hours

Professional II Pay Scale

EVALUATION

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually according to Board policy.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A. D. A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.

Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.