Administration                                                                        

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

DEFINITION:

Under the supervision of the Director of Special Services, provide individual and group counseling to identified at-risk students.  The goal of this counseling is to increase the social, emotional, and behavioral adjustment of targeted students, thereby enabling them to reach their full potential.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·       Conduct individual, group, and whole class counseling as appropriate;

·       Provide family support and refer to specific community counseling agencies as needed;

·       Conduct early intervention group counseling;

·       Design strategies and programs to address problems of adjustment, personal and social development, behavioral and academic difficulties;

·       Coordinate with regular education classroom teachers and school administrators when students are considered for counseling services;

·       Serve as consultant to regular and special education teachers regarding the social, emotional, and behavioral issues of their students;

·       Provide alternative individual and group strategies for motivation and behavior modification, and see that the recommendations are carried out;

·       Serve as consultant to regular and special education staff and parents regarding students needs, curriculum adaptation, and classroom management;

·       Coordinate intervention strategies for management of individual and school-wide crisis;

·       Develop and coordinate 504 Plans and Behavior Support Plans

·       Aid in child abuse identification, reporting, and referrals;

·       Initiate referrals to other agencies (with parent consent) such as Mental Health, physicians, counselors, etc.;

·       Initiate, create, and monitor formal and informal Behavior Support Plans;

·       Assist with the creation of behavioral goals for students with IEPs;

·       Participate in meetings to determine 504 eligibility and, when necessary, assist with the creation of 504 Accommodation Plans;

·       Keep abreast of issues, laws, and regulations regarding counseling, special education, educational trends, and other services provided to children;

·       Participate in Student Success Team, 504, and IEP meetings as needed;

·       Maintain accurate records of referrals, student progress, and student and parent contacts;

·       Generate reports necessary for funding, expulsions, and special education placements;

·       Generate reports detailing assessment results, student needs, goals and objectives;

·       Submit reports in a timely manner;

·       Maintain student and parent confidentiality;

·       Participate in the evaluation of the effectiveness of counseling programs and services on a periodic basis and report the results to the Board of Trustees and District Administration.

·       Coordinate with site administration the development and/or implementation of special programs or interventions, such as those related to character and career education.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Possess a current Pupil Personnel Services Credential and a valid California driver’s license and be knowledgeable of:

·        Individual and group counseling techniques appropriate for elementary school age children;

·        Counseling needs of students coming from diverse, multicultural, and non-traditional cultural backgrounds;

·        Community resources.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environment:

·        Office/School environment;

·        Close contact with school age children.

·         Occasional home visits

Physical Abilities:

·         Vision (corrected or uncorrected) to read small print;

·         Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate telephone and computer;

·         Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone;

·         Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.

Days of employment:         186 days                                            Approved:  May 24, 2006