Substitute Counselor 2026-2027

Tacoma Public Schools•Central Administration Building (CAB) 601 S 8th St., WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides a comprehensive guidance program for students; provides individual and group counseling; consults with teachers, staff, and parents to enhance their effectiveness in helping students successfully deal with behavioral, social, and emotional issues, and achieve academic success.

Requirements

Master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited college or university
Valid Washington State ESA Counselor Certificate

Nice To Haves

Prior counseling experience is desired

Responsibilities

Implements the school guidance curriculum; conducts and/or assists in planning and facilitating guidance learning activities in the classroom; consults with and supports teachers in facilitating the infusion of guidance activities into their regular education curricula.
Guides and counsels students individually and in small groups through the development of social and educational plans; provides and participates in orientation activities for students new to school; provides resources and information to assist in career awareness.
Counsels students individually and in small groups to help them understand, overcome, and resolve academic, behavioral, social, and emotional concerns.
Counsels families of students experiencing chronic academic, behavioral, social, and emotional problems; suggests referrals to appropriate district resources and/or appropriate community resources.
Collects, organizes, and analyzes information about students through records, testing, interviews, and professional sources to appraise their interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personality characteristics for educational planning.
Consults with teachers, staff, parents, and mental health professionals regarding meeting the development needs of students; provides guidance to teachers and staff in dealing with students with academic, behavioral, social, or emotional problems; assists teachers in identifying students with special needs and special abilities.
Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with various parent support groups, and governmental and community family service agencies; involves these groups in assessment, interventions, and program procedures; develops a network of social referral resources.
Participates with teams in establishing and planning respective roles in modifying a student’s behavior; develops individualized student behavior management programs; makes recommendations; provides feedback to team members and parents.
Maintains current knowledge of state and federal legislation related to education, including special education and Section 504; enhances personal knowledge through participation in case conferences, professional growth activities, professional organizations, and meetings.
Maintains appropriate reports and records on each assigned student; protects each student’s confidentiality; provides specific reports according to procedures or as assigned.
Performs related guidance duties as assigned.