Parkview Social Emotional Counselor

North Lawrence Community Schools • Bedford, IN

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Social Emotional Counselors/Social Workers (SECs) are certified staff who hold licensure in Counseling or Social Work, directly employed by NLCS. Social-Emotional Advisors (SEAs) are bachelor- or graduate-level, certified staff who provide services to students in accordance with their training and experience, under the supervision of SECs. Both SECs and SEAs located within the corporation serve at Lincoln, Needmore, Dollens, Parkview, and Shawswick, respectively. SEC/SEA expectations and responsibilities are as follows:

Supervision
SECs/SEAs report directly to their building principal(s). Program oversight/coordination: Superintendent (or designee). SEAs and SECs should seek consultation with other SECs in the corporation when unsure about the treatment of students and/or professional practice responsibilities.

Direct Support
SECs/SEAs are available to all students, regardless of IEP status, and provide one-on-one support to students in regard to their individual social-emotional needs both in and outside of the classroom. Following referral, a SEC/SEA may assess how to respond if the need or concern impacts student learning, safety, and/or overall well-being. Topics SECs/SEAs address as they impact students may include:
Depression
Anxiety/panic
Known/reported or suspected abuse and/or neglect
Known/reported or suspected self-harm or suicidality
Drastic changes in behavior or mood
Family issues, including death, illness, or a change to the family structure
Peer issues/bullying
Distress impacting a student’s behavior, emotions, and overall well-being
SECs/SEAs recognize the need for small group supports related to specific topics such as anxiety/worry, grief and loss, social skills, friendship, executive function/learning strategies, etc., and may implement these groups as necessary and appropriate. SECs/SEAs respond to student crises when necessary and appropriate. A crisis is defined as a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger (Oxford Dictionary). Crises to which the SEC may respond are as follows:
Situations of abuse or neglect;
Self-harm or suicidality;
Behavior that places other students in direct harm.
A SEC may respond with support from the principal, assistant principal, and/or school crisis team as available. SECs/SEAs are not disciplinarians and should not be utilized as such. However, they may provide appropriate direction and support when discipline is necessary. SECs/SEAs provide short-term, school-based counseling/support and connect families to community resources when needs extend beyond the school setting. SECs/SEAs provide support to families where necessary and appropriate to better meet students’ basic needs, while also supporting student learning in the academic setting. SECs/SEAs follow the ASCA guidelines and are fully integrated into the natural flow of the school day.

Interdisciplinary Support
SECs/SEAs provide skills and strategies to manage social-emotional needs, advocate for all students to ensure their needs are met in the classroom, and assist with increasingly complex social challenges. SECs may inform IEPs or other individualized learning plans and provide coping strategies and tools that may become components of such plans. SECs may provide social-emotional services written into IEPs. SECs/SEAs collaborate with and support teachers with best practices for engaging in student social-emotional needs, including the implementation of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). SECs/SEAs may participate in Response to Instruction (RTI) to inform student services. SECs/SEAs may participate in the implementation of PBIS through building teams. SECs/SEAs may work in partnership with community providers and organizations in the best interest of students to ensure open communication, continuity of care, and promotion of student well-being, including the Child Protection Team with DCS for Lawrence County.

Tier 1 Supports and Services
SECs/SEAs develop and implement social-emotional learning and counseling strategies in the classroom. SECs/SEAs may implement life skill instruction in classrooms. SECs/SEAs will provide state-mandated lessons (Sexual Abuse Prevention & Bullying Prevention).

Confidentiality
SECs/SEAs adhere to FERPA and applicable confidentiality laws/ethical standards; coordinate with outside providers using appropriate releases/consents. SECs/SEAs will only share information deemed appropriate for the coordination of services and safety of the student. SECs/SEAs adhere to the Code of Ethics specific to their role (e.g., counselor or social worker) as well as corporation guidelines for appropriate conduct. Documentation of services provided to students will be maintained and protected in accordance with confidentiality standards.

Professional Development
SECs/SEAs participate in professional development per their individual licensure, which may include traveling to conferences as appropriate. SECs holding licensure are responsible for maintaining specific board requirements (e.g., ASWB, ACA, ASCA, NBCC, etc.), adhering to their Code of Ethics, and completing required Professional Development and Continuing Education to uphold licensure status. SECs engage in regular meetings with both SEAs and SECs to discuss duties, concerns, and individual cases. SECs/SEAs will attend monthly Mental Health Advocacy Team (MHAT) meetings with other NLCS counselors and service providers within the community.

General
SECs/SEAs are not responsible for daily duties wherein an area of the school would not be adequately covered per school policy, should the SEC need to respond to a student/family need or concern. This includes recess, cafeteria, and bus/transportation duties. SECs/SEAs should not be held responsible for other duties or tasks that inhibit functioning in their capacity as SECs/SEAs.

Assessment and Evaluation
SECs/SEAs are involved in the assessment of student needs, progress, and data collection for the purpose of better serving their student population. SECs/SEAs are evaluated annually by their building principals. SECs/SEAs are considered certified faculty and are to receive yearly contracts from the administration signifying commitment to these outlined responsibilities and contract days in the upcoming academic year. SECs/SEAs are employed under an IDOE-certified staff contract or a support staff contract aligned with the compensation of certified staff. Contracted hours are 7.67 hours Monday through Friday for 183 days. SECs/SEAs are expected to attend faculty meetings, back-to-school night(s), Kindergarten Welcome night(s), and parent-teacher conferences.

Requirements

• Certified staff holding licensure in Counseling or Social Work (for SECs).
• Bachelor's or graduate-level, certified staff (for SEAs).
• Licensed by the IDOE.
• Adherence to ASCA guidelines.
• Adherence to FERPA and applicable confidentiality laws/ethical standards.
• Adherence to the Code of Ethics specific to their role (counselor or social worker).
• Maintain specific board requirements for licensure (e.g., ASWB, ACA, ASCA, NBCC).
• Complete required Professional Development and Continuing Education to uphold licensure status.

Nice To Haves

• Implementation of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI).
• Implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one support to students regarding their social-emotional needs.
• Assess student needs and concerns impacting learning, safety, and well-being.
• Address topics such as depression, anxiety, abuse, self-harm, family issues, peer issues, and distress.
• Implement small group supports for topics like anxiety, grief, social skills, and executive function.
• Respond to student crises including abuse, neglect, self-harm, suicidality, and harm to others.
• Provide appropriate direction and support when discipline is necessary.
• Offer short-term, school-based counseling and connect families to community resources.
• Support families to meet students' basic needs and academic learning.
• Provide skills and strategies to manage social-emotional needs.
• Advocate for students to ensure their needs are met in the classroom.
• Assist with complex social challenges.
• Inform IEPs or other individualized learning plans and provide coping strategies.
• Collaborate with and support teachers on best practices for student social-emotional needs.
• Participate in Response to Instruction (RTI) and PBIS implementation.
• Partner with community providers and organizations for student well-being.
• Develop and implement social-emotional learning and counseling strategies in the classroom.
• Implement life skill instruction in classrooms.
• Provide state-mandated lessons (Sexual Abuse Prevention & Bullying Prevention).
• Adhere to FERPA and confidentiality laws/ethical standards.
• Coordinate with outside providers using appropriate releases/consents.
• Maintain and protect documentation of services provided.
• Participate in professional development per individual licensure.
• Engage in regular meetings with SEAs and SECs to discuss duties, concerns, and cases.
• Attend monthly Mental Health Advocacy Team (MHAT) meetings.
• Be involved in the assessment of student needs, progress, and data collection.
• Attend faculty meetings, back-to-school night(s), Kindergarten Welcome night(s), and parent-teacher conferences.

Benefits

• Full-time employment
• Certified Staff (IDOE Licensed) or Support Staff/Contract
• 183 days (school year) contract
• Yearly contracts from administration
• IDOE-certified staff contract or support staff contract aligned with certified staff compensation
• Professional development opportunities
• Continuing education opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree