School Counselor

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

A licensed School Counselor who adheres to the American School Counseling Association Model (ASCA) and is committed to designing and implementing a comprehensive counseling program. Will provide social/emotional support, implement college and career readiness, and guide academic planning for students. A strong understanding of the Career Cluster Model and the ability to facilitate meaningful career conversations focused on postsecondary development is essential. The counselor will advocate for students' needs, offering instruction that promotes mental health awareness, academic growth, and career success. They will maintain high ethical and legal standards while working to enhance the counseling program to foster positive mindsets and behaviors in all students. Collaboration with school staff, parents, and the broader community is crucial, ensuring the development of a holistic approach to counseling. Additionally, the counselor will demonstrate cultural awareness and work effectively with external agencies to support students' diverse needs. The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and other key duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by the incumbents in various locations. The district reserves the right to modify or change the duties or the essential functions of this job at any time.

Requirements

Meets subject, grade level, and/or content area qualifications consistent with Colorado Department of Education and Academy District 20 requirements - Academy District 20, Special Services Provider License: Initial - Colorado Department of Education, Special Services Provider License: Professional - Colorado Department of Education
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds and professions including supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the general public
Ability to follow oral and written instructions
Ability to greet and interact with the public in a courteous and professional manner
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities
Ability to use technology to improve instruction and learning, and to interpret test data
Ability to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position responsibilities
Ability to work independently without direct supervision
Adheres to a comprehensive school counseling program
Commitment to the education of students as a primary responsibility
Communicates effectively with students and adults in a wide variety of settings
Computer proficiency including office productivity applications
Demonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness
Demonstrates effective organizational and time management skills
Detail-oriented
Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible
Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills
Grade level, content/subject area, and inquiry-based skills
Knowledge of the American School Counseling Association Model
Knowledge of Career Cluster Model
Knowledge of Career Technical Education
Knowledge of concurrent enrollment
Knowledge of Individual Career and Academic Planning (ICAP)
Knowledge of Multi-Tier Systems of Supports
Knowledge of Section 504 plans
Knowledge of and experience with how technology integration supports learning
Knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards, curriculum, standards-based instruction, assessment, and differentiation
Knowledge of effective classroom and positive behavior management
Knowledge of Special Education, other educational programming, and associated legal requirements as related to the needs of the students assigned to the teacher
Knowledge of the academic, emotional, physical, and social development of students
Promotes a positive climate, culture, and community
Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills
Student-centered and relationship-focused
Understanding of data privacy laws and their implications for the educational community
Willingness to participate in ongoing training as required

Responsibilities

Reports consistently for work as scheduled
Performs other duties as assigned
Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards
Aligns the school counseling program with the School Unified Improvement Plan
Applies knowledge of the ways in which learning takes place, including the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of their students
Complies with applicable state and federal laws, district administrative policies, procedures, practices, and location requirements
Demonstrates a strong understanding of the Career Cluster Model and the ability to facilitate meaningful career conversations focused on postsecondary development
Demonstrates high standards for ethical and professional conduct
Demonstrates knowledge of effective services that reduce barriers to and support learning
Demonstrates knowledge of their professions and integrate evidence-based practices and research findings into their services
Demonstrates leadership and advocacy in the school, the community and their profession
Demonstrates mastery of and expertise in school counseling
Develops and implements services related to student needs, learning, and progress towards goals
Engages students as individuals with diverse needs and interests, across a range of ability levels by adapting services for the benefit of students
Ensures that students are supervised at all times
Establishes and communicates high expectations and use strategies to support the development of critical thinking, problem-solving skills and self-advocacy
Follows established policies and procedures regarding the health, safety, welfare, and education of students
Fosters a safe, accessible, and predictable learning environment characterized by acceptable student behavior and efficient use of time in which each student has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults and peers
Integrates and utilizes appropriate available technology to engage students in authentic learning experiences
Leads counseling small group counseling and classroom lessons
Links professional growth to professional goals
Maintains accurate records
Models and promotes effective communication
Models appropriate conduct at all times
Prepares students for graduation and post-secondary readiness through the creation, alignment, and monitoring of student schedules
Provides information to students and guardians regarding academic programs, post-secondary opportunities and community resources
Provides services aligned with state and federal laws, local policies and procedures, Colorado Academic Standards, the organized plan of instruction, and the individual needs of students
Responds as directed and as necessary in safety and/or crisis situations
Responds to a complex, dynamic environment
Serves on building teams to include the crisis response team, MTSS team, and others as assigned
Serves on the risk assessment team and conducts suicide assessments
Supervises volunteers and paraprofessionals where applicable
Understands and responds to diversity within the home, school, and community
Uses effective conflict resolution
Uses and integrates technology to support professional responsibilities, instruction, data interpretation, and student learning
Uses feedback and reflects about professional practice to improve teaching and learning
Utilizes formal and informal assessments to inform planning and service delivery
Works collaboratively with the families and/or significant adults for the benefit of students
Works with school counseling advocacy guidelines while informing all stakeholders of the school counselor role