MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Berry Creek Middle School

2024 - 2025 Schoo Year

Specific Job Details

The staff at Berry Creek Middle School are energetic and dedicated educators who consistently go above and beyond to provide quality instruction and access to all students. We understand that working together as a staff and a community is imperative to our students' success. The staff at BCMS believes that ALL students are able to learn at high levels with the proper supports and we also believe it's important to have fun while doing the hard work.

This position is for a full-time School Counselor position and will be a combination of individual and group counseling sessions and teaching social emotional classes. Preferred candidates would have experience and a passion working with, or a desire to learn effective and responsive counseling strategies for a socially and academically diverse population.

Candidates who are willing to support in our after school academic program or extra-curricular offerings will receive strong consideration. Bilingual candidates will also receive strong consideration although it is not required for this position.

Berry Creek Middle School serves approximately 220 6th-8th grade students in the Edwards Community.

BENEFITS: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 21.40% employer contribution to your PERA retirement plan, paid holidays, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, free CMC credits, amongst others. For full time employees

MIDDLE SCHOOL HIRING SALARY RANGE: $62,310 - $79,259 per year

POSITION SALARY RANGE: $62,310 - $139,568 per year

SUMMARY OF JOB DESCRIPTION:

The elementary school counselor (K-8) works directly with students in promoting awareness of self and the world around them, supporting the faculty and staff in their works with students, and confers with parents, administrators and others as necessary to provide for the well-being of the students. Provides counseling to children in making educational, occupational and life plans that increase the probability of students becoming mature and responsible decision-makers who enjoy a high degree of personal fulfillment. Supervises assigned students and maintains a positive learning environment. Adapts instruction to meet the learning needs of all students resulting in an increased probability of advancing their achievement. Assist children who are exhibiting symptoms of social, emotional, and/or academic difficulties that interfere with their progress. Maintains positive interpersonal relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES:
All counselors are members of cluster groups to grow professionally through teaming with colleagues and by participating in professional development activities and/or planning for their lessons, both collaboratively and independently. Counselors will support professional learning communities through personal involvement, through contributing to the professional growth of others, and through their support of their school and District culture. Counselors will support teachers with identifying strategies to support students and will collaborate with families with behavior needs.
SUPERVISED BY:

School Principal/Assistant Principal
ESSENTIAL JOB ELEMENTS:

• Implement and follow the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Standards aligned school counseling curriculum in academic, college and careers, and personal/social development.
• Counsel students individually and in small groups. Conduct structured, goal-oriented counseling sessions to meet the identified short-term needs of individuals and groups of students.
• Advocates for ALL students with parents, teachers, school administrators, and other governmental agencies using a working knowledge of human development.
• Provide individual assistance to students regarding their academic, college and career and social/emotional wellness needs.
• Provide the effective delivery and implementation of prevention and intervention services for students, such as conflict resolution, restorative practices and crisis intervention.
• Provide crisis support and intervention by assisting with threat assessments, by conducting suicide risk assessments and by providing follow-up care coordination.
• Participate in MTSS planning, Student Success Team meetings, IEP, 504 meetings.
• Support and assist teachers in implementing the approved Eagle County School District RE50J curriculum, mission, school improvement plan and district academic achievement plan.
• Collaborate with community partners to provide evidenced-based programming in the classroom to include maturation, social skill development, conflict-resolution skill development, etc.
• Utilize technology and data-based systems to make decisions regarding the school counseling program.
• Use data to develop strategies for closing the achievement gap. Use data to promote equity and implement intentional guidance activities.
• Provide reentry conferences for students the day students return to school.
• Collaborate with families to support students' overall academic and social-emotional needs. Discuss academic progress and with students and parents and their implications for educational, wellness and career planning to support the whole child.
• Provide and support student behavioral interventions.
• Encourage the enhancement of students’ self-esteem in both the school setting and the home environment.
• Participate in parent conferences and facilitate parent education opportunities.
• Provide care coordination that links families and students to community resources as needed.
• Participate and consult in the development and enhancement of a school-wide culture that promotes professional growth and student learning.
• Assist and consult with individual student placement and/or adjustment of pupils in an appropriate classroom setting and grade transition/progression.
• Consult, collaborate, and be a resource for teachers in understanding and meeting the needs of students.
• Adheres to laws and ethical standards of the school counseling profession, such as confidentiality, FERPA, mandatory reporting and school district policies and procedures
• Encourage students to develop an awareness of educational goals and provide activities supporting academic and career exploration.
• Participate in school-wide committees, outside community agencies, and the community regarding the school counseling program and its role in the educational program.
• Pursue professional growth and participate in local, state, and national school counseling-related conferences and workshops.
• Provides orientation for new and/or transfer students in collaboration with feeder schools.
• Assist with the middle school counselors orienting incoming 6th-grade students.
• Coordinates with other school counselors, departments, offices, and organizations to support the school counseling program
• Other duties as assigned

SUPPORT:

• Participation in an approved induction program if necessary.
• Participation in school-level cluster groups.
• Collaborative professional development through teaming with colleagues.
• A school culture that promotes professional growth, collaboration among teachers and student learning.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Counseling Master's degree required
• Special Service Provider License required (issued by the State of Colorado)
• Valid Colorado background check
• Knowledge of positive behavioral supports, de-escalation strategies, and trauma-informed practices
• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken)
• Preferred: Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Knowledge of:

• Child development, behavior dynamics
• Group and individual counseling techniques, facilitation strategies and methodology
• Student assessment practices and interpretation of test data
• Laws related to minors
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques
• Community resources
• State and National Counseling Standards
• Youth development programs and strategies.
• Restorative practices and restorative justice.
• Peer-to-peer program concepts.
• Social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and moral competencies.
• Mentoring programs and implementation strategies.
• Positive behavior support strategies.
• Program coordination and management.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and establish priorities
• Relate well to students, staff, parents and others
• Assist others in resolving problems
• Communicate clearly and succinctly
• Understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Promote quality human relationships
• Facilitate student counseling group basis as needed
• Work independently with minimal direction.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer and assigned software.
• Read, hear, and speak to exchange information and make presentations.
• Monitor student behavior and motivate students to learn.
• Analyze current and proposed programs, evaluate alternatives, and adopt effective courses of action.
• Prepare clear and concise student records and written materials.
• Travel between work sites as required.