Counselor

Mesa County Valley School District 51 • Grand Junction, CO

11h • Onsite

About The Position

High School Counselor Summary: Operating under the general direction of the assigned building leader and the Coordinator of School Counselors, this position functions as a District representative working to empower all students to acquire academic, social/emotional, and career competencies within the D51 Teaching and Learning Framework. School Counselors draw on the tools and examples as outlined in the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success in order to provide programming that supports education, prevention, and intervention activities.

Requirements

• Eligible for appropriate Colorado license
• Candidates are enrolled in a program to meet initial special service provider requirements within 3 years.
• Current valid Colorado Special Service Provider License with School Counseling endorsement OR approved alternative CDE licensure in SSP Endorsement area
• Criminal Background check required for hire
• Valid Colorado driver's license or valid Colorado Identification required
• Trauma Informed Care
• Knowledge of district mission and vision
• Cultural Awareness
• De-escalation
• Use of Google and G Suite
• Confidentiality
• Community referral process
• Organization Skills
• Classroom management
• Judgement and decision making
• Oral and written communication
• FERPA, IDEA, Title VI, Title IX, ADA, MTSS, 504, District Policies

Nice To Haves

• Master's or higher degree in School Counseling as defined by accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling for Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree

Responsibilities

• Design and implement instruction aligned to ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success in large-group, classroom, small-group and individual settings.
• Deliver classroom lessons, small group sessions, and one-on-one short-term counseling to support students' academic, social-emotional, and career development needs.
• Follow District 51 School Counselor master calendar to deliver district-required school counseling lessons.
• Respond to student crisis situations in a non-disciplinary role (e.g. Suicide Risk Screeners, dysregulated students) and report or refer to appropriate professionals or agencies.
• Refer/Recommend students and families to district and/or community-based resources when needs extend beyond the scope of the school counseling role.
• Consult with administrators, parents/guardians, staff, and community partners to implement appropriate tiers of culturally-responsive and trauma-sensitive interventions within the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework.
• Collaborate with administrators, parents/guardians, staff, and community partners regarding student needs and concerns to support student achievement and social-emotional learning.
• Provide leadership and expertise in creating a positive school culture and climate that integrates diverse backgrounds, strengths, and needs.
• Support transition activities, playing a key role in supporting students through important transitions, including from PK to Kindergarten, 5th to 6th grade, 8th to 9th grade, and from 12th grade to post-secondary education or career paths.
• Gather and interpret multiple sources of data, including academic, attendance, perception, mental health and well-being, and discipline data to develop goals for their school counseling program.
• Use data to inform and adjust evidence-based counseling strategies and interventions.
• Act as advocates on educational support teams such as: Crisis Team, MTSS, 504s, Master Scheduling, and Special Education teams.
• Support fair-share duties and responsibilities based on ASCA recommendations.
• Provide purposeful course advisement as students strive to develop skills and behaviors essential to their academic and postsecondary success.
• Adhere to the ASCA National Model, incorporating ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success, ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies, and ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors.
• Apply developmental, learning, counseling and education theories.
• Demonstrate understanding of educational systems, legal issues, policies, research and trends in education.
• Demonstrate understanding of the impact of cultural, social and environmental influences on student success and opportunities.
• Demonstrate leadership through the development and implementation of a school counseling program.
• Demonstrate advocacy for a school counseling program.
• Create systemic change through the implementation of a school counseling program.
• Strive to focus 80% of their time on direct and indirect services based on the ASCA National Model.
• Strive to focus 20% of their time on Program Planning and School Support.
• Attend work and arrive in a timely manner.
• Attend district learning committee (LC) meetings for professional growth opportunities.
• Manage multiple priorities and frequent interruptions in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Salary Schedule Range: $50,015 - $104,432 based on one (1) FTE at one hundred eighty eight (188) days.
• Hiring Range for External Candidates: $50,015 - $85,857
• Counselors are initially placed according to experience.
• Counselors new to the District may be granted up to 15 years of experience, provided the experience occurred within the last 20 years in accordance with the MVEA Agreement.
• Information regarding D51 Benefits can be found here: https://www.d51schools.org/departments111/human-resources/employee-benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level