Compass Program Counselor/Social Worker
About The Position
The Compass Program is a short-term alternative program that provides intensive behavior and social-emotional intervention to students to prepare them for a successful transition as they return to the comprehensive school setting. This position is responsible for providing services to students and families to help support students learning experiences. This position is expected to build upon students’ individual strengths and provide training and educational programs to enhance their learning. This position instructs students in a classroom which could include students with educational risk factors, as well as students with special needs. The ability to form relationships with a wide variety of students and families is essential. Differentiating instruction for a wide range of developmental needs is required. This staff member must understand students with significant needs and behaviors and how to program for them. This position is responsible for the implementation of the district curriculum in a way that maximizes student learning. This position is part of the Compass Program and reports to the Compass Program principal.
Requirements
- Kansas teacher license with certification or counseling endorsement required.
- Minimum of three years successfully supporting students with trauma histories, mental health diagnosis, and significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
- Successful experience as a member of a clinical or special education team.
- Willingness and ability to support students who may exhibit extreme behaviors, including elopement, physical aggression (e.g., hitting, kicking), and verbal outbursts, with a calm, consistent, and supportive approach.
- Ability to intervene safely and appropriately and contribute to a team committed to success of all students.
- Background in trauma informed care practices and willingness to continue to learn to best support in a trauma informed manner.
- Willingness to adjust instruction based on student enrollment in Compass Program
- Excellent listening, written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
- High degree of confidentiality, motivation, and responsibility.
- Highly collaborative team player.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, etc.).
- Ability to identify areas of improvement and opportunity and follow-up to obtain results.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree Social Work and/or Counseling preferred
Responsibilities
- Utilize PBIS and district-adopted social-emotional curricula and instructional tools to teach and support students’ social-emotional well-being, including positive behavior support and correction aligned with district procedures and ESI.
- Attend, engage in, and implement learning from in-service training, team meetings, and professional learning opportunities.
- Engage and contribute in meetings with school teams, communities, departments, districts, parents, and school(s).
- Maintain comprehensive and precise records of student progress and required documentation, including monitoring and reporting student academic, behavioral, and social/emotional development.
- Participate in academic, extracurricular, and professional support activities.
- Provide direct services to students and their families that reflect multicultural competence, build upon individual strengths, and promote student voice and involvement in planning their own learning experiences.
- Develop and provide training and educational programs that support the goals and mission of the educational institution.
- Collaborate regularly with general education staff to support appropriate inclusion in the general education classroom.
- Communicate regularly with parents through IEP, evaluation, and planning meetings.
- Participate in multidisciplinary evaluations and complete all required paperwork related to the special education evaluation process.
- Assist with the development, implementation, and progress monitoring of student behavior intervention plans.
- Conduct classroom observations and interview students, teachers, and parents as part of assessment and support processes.
- Assist students and families in accessing community resources and programs.
- Attend building and district-level department meetings.
- Promote student motivation, engagement, communication skills, and social skill development.
- Conduct psycho-social assessments and assess student emotional and behavioral needs.
- Collect and interpret student and classroom data to inform instruction and intervention.
- Maintain a professional attitude with families, staff, and the school community.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
