(26-27 SY) Counselor (Middle School) - Colorado Springs School District 11

Colorado Springs School District 11•Colorado Springs, CO

About The Position

The School Counselor for the Catalyst Middle School Program plays a critical role in supporting students who have not responded to school-level interventions and require targeted academic and motivational support to re-engage with learning. This position focuses on students performing below grade level and those demonstrating persistent barriers to success, including failing grades, low assessment performance, inconsistent engagement, and executive functioning challenges. The counselor works directly with students to strengthen executive functioning, self-management, resiliency, and goal-setting, while also addressing barriers related to attendance, motivation, and essential skills. Students enrolled in this specialized program remain rostered to their home school, with the goal of returning once they demonstrate improved academic progress, consistent engagement, and mastery of foundational executive functioning skills. The program emphasizes team-building, career exploration, future planning, time management, and academic success behaviors. The School Counselor collaborates closely with a small interdisciplinary team and interacts daily with all students to ensure a cohesive, supportive, and structured environment. The successful candidate will bring a strong background in supporting at-risk youth, including experience with students requiring intensive academic, behavioral, or motivational interventions; experience working with secondary students is preferred. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to build trusting relationships, implement structured supports, and use data to guide interventions that promote persistence, organization, and long-term success. This role requires participation in required summer training to ensure consistency in program implementation, intervention strategies, and student support systems, with compensation provided. Candidates with experience in counseling, student intervention, mentoring, or related student support roles are encouraged to apply

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in education or related field
Master’s degree or higher in an approved area of specialization (if required for CDE License).
Valid Colorado Special Services Provider License
Minimum of three (3) years of successful experience in the assigned discipline or related professional practice (may include internship or clinical experience).
Knowledge of: Evidence-based practices and interventions in the SSP’s professional discipline (e.g., psychology, counseling, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, or related fields).
Federal and state regulations related to special education, Section 504, and other student support requirements.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks.
Assessment tools, evaluation methods, and intervention strategies appropriate for K–12 students.
Principles of consultation, collaboration, and team-based problem solving in educational settings.
Ethical, legal, and professional standards, including confidentiality and cultural responsiveness.
Skills in: Providing direct services and interventions to support students’ academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and physical development.
Consulting and collaborating effectively with educators, administrators, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
Developing and implementing IEPs, 504 Plans, and other individualized support plans.
Analyzing student data to inform instructional and intervention decisions.
Responding effectively to crises and advocating for equitable access to educational opportunities.
Communicating clearly and professionally with diverse stakeholders.
Managing caseloads, documentation, and compliance requirements accurately and efficiently.
Ability to: Foster positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students.
Adapt interventions and services to meet diverse student needs and cultural contexts.
Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive student support.
Maintain professional integrity, ethical standards, and confidentiality at all times.
Reflect on professional practice and pursue continuous growth and development.
Contribute to school and district initiatives that promote student success, wellness, and equity.

Nice To Haves

Preferred qualifications include additional endorsements or certifications, prior K–12 public school experience, and/or bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish or other district-identified languages).

Responsibilities

Provide Specialized Services to Students Deliver direct, evidence-based services to support the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and physical development of students.
Design and implement individualized interventions aligned with student needs and professional standards.
Consult and Collaborate with Educators and Families Partner with teachers, administrators, and families to identify student needs and develop effective support strategies.
Provide guidance and professional consultation on best practices for student success and well-being.
Participate in Multidisciplinary Teams Contribute to the evaluation and development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 Plans, or other student support plans.
Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, comprehensive support for students.
Support School-Wide Systems and Frameworks Assist in the development and implementation of school-based support systems, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and supports to improve student outcomes.
Respond to Crises and Advocate for Students Provide crisis intervention and support as needed to ensure student safety and well-being.
Advocate for equitable access to educational opportunities and resources for all students.
Maintain Professional and Ethical Standards Uphold confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, and ethical practices in all aspects of work.
Comply with federal, state, and district regulations and professional licensure requirements.
Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership Participate in ongoing professional development to maintain licensure and enhance expertise.
Contribute to school and district initiatives focused on student support, equity, and wellness.

Benefits

Employees in this category will also receive the following for the 2025-2026 school year: Non-Recurring Pay: 6% of base salary in Non-Recurring Pay (distributed as 3% on November paycheck and 3% on May paycheck).
Staffing Stability Incentive (Adams Elementary, Galileo Middle School and Mitchell High School): All Teachers/SSPs (regardless of FTE) will receive an additional $5,000 split over two payments ($2,500 in November and $2,500 in May).
NOTE: This is prorated based off of FTE. Teaching and SSP Staff qualify to receive an additional 10 extra days (beyond the District Calendar), paid at the per diem rate. Five (5) days for USIP design and five (5) days as “collaborative flex” days.
NOTE: SSPs receiving extra days (per the Employee Handbook) are only allowed to work a TOTAL of 10 extra days. For example, nurses are allowed to work 3 additional days per the Handbook and are only allowed to work an additional 7 days (for a total of 10).
Mitchell High School Only: Teachers/SSPs also receive a one-step increase (paid monthly).
Pay for Performance (Mitchell High School): All Teachers/SSPs receive a Pay for Performance Bonus that is paid out in the fall (utilizing performance measures criteria from the previous year).
Additional 10% to Base Pay for the following Hard to Fill positions: OT, PT, School Nurses, Audiologists, & School Psychologists
Additional 15% to Base Pay for the following Hard to Fill position(s): SLP

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