POSITION DESCRIPTION

AREA: School Counselor

LOCATION: Whitefish Middle School

Whitefish School District seeks an Middle School Counselor to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. With the support of our community, Whitefish School District creates an educational environment where each student can reach their academic potential, prepare for career opportunities and become engaged citizens.

The Whitefish School District seeks educators with a track-record of raising student achievement to join the team of educators already dedicated to providing a deeper learning instructional program to all students. At Whitefish Public Schools, educators are leaders who play an integral role in ensuring student success through the support of our school culture, the development and instruction of a rigorous curriculum, and the use of data to drive their daily practice.

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT:

Provides support services for all students, assisting in the facilitation of student learning and their school success. Provide support to promote and fulfill each student’s potential for intellectual, emotional, psychological and physical growth and maturation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Whitefish Public Schools seeks candidates with strong character, passion for excellence and a relentless commitment to student achievement. Applicants should also meet the following requirements);

• Valid Montana educator license with School Counselor Endorsement

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated understanding of child and adolescent development.
• Ability to relate to and work with children and adolescents.
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents/family members, support staff, teachers, administrators, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions from students, parents/families, staff and the community.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of employment and student matters.
• Successful experience as a school counselor at the elementary school level.
• Experience with the use of technology for program data management.
• Training in individual and group counseling, crisis intervention and school wide tragedy.
• Management.
• Training and experience in study skills, positive behavior supports, parenting skills.
• Experience with implementation of the American School Counselor Association National Model.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to)

• Participates as an integral member of the school’s MultiTiered System of Supports (MTSS) Team.
• Implements the district's School Counseling Program by supporting the program philosophy, by utilizing data, by delivering student-centered competency-based. services, and by managing resources effectively and efficiently.
• Participate in and facilitate the intervention team process.
• Refer students and their parents to special programs, specialists and outside agencies as necessary.
• Maintains active contact with community social services and refers students and/or their parents/guardians to appropriate agencies as needed.
• Participates in building-level School Improvement Planning processes, including data collection and analysis, to improve school climate and enhance student success.
• Maintain appropriate student records.
• Communicate with parents/families through conferences and other means to discuss students’ progress and interpret the school programs.
• Identify student needs and cooperate with parents/families and other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve problems.
• Supervise pupils in out of classroom activities during the assigned school day.
• Provide accommodations and modifications for growth and success for all students.
• Counsels students as directed by requirements of Individualized Education Plans or 504 Plans.
• Creates and maintains a 504 Plan for identified students as required.
• Maintains high expectations for self and students.
• Provide individual student academic program planning.
• Assist in interpreting data, including but not limited to: cognitive, aptitude, and achievement assessment grades behavior, discipline and attendance.
• Teach and collaborate with other school staff on school counseling core curriculum lessons.
• Ensure student records are maintained as per state and federal regulations.
• Assist the school principal identify and resolve student issues, needs and problems.
• Provide individual and small group counseling services to students in areas such as social/emotional growth, attendance, tardiness, chronic absenteeism, behavior expectations, school dress, peer interactions, and resources for accessing support for social, emotional needs.
• Maintains professional competence through inservice education activities provided by professional growth activities.
• Attend all grade level meetings, staff meetings, and student meetings where required.
• Other related duties as assigned by the building principal.

REPORTS TO: Building Principal

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This type of work involves walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods of time as required by situations of job position. Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, providing oral and written information, the manual dexterity to move related equipment, and the skills necessary to handle and work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.May be required to lift or move up to 20 pounds. The physical demands & work-environment characteristics described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MENTAL/MOTOR DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee rarely performs routine work. The employee frequently exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another). Guidance and reinforcement are usually available. The employee frequently works within time constraints and maintains attentiveness intensity. The employee is frequently involved in social interactions which require oral and written communications. The physical demands & work-environment characteristics described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

School year working days as set by the Board of Trustees. Salary, benefits and other working conditions as negotiated between the Whitefish School District and Whitefish Education Association and as assigned by the administration.

EVALUATION:

Performance of said duties will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.