School Counselor (Grades 6-8)

Location: Benson Middle School
Reports To: Benson Middle School Principal
Start Date: Immediately
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

TERMS/BENEFITS 187 day contract; medical, dental, vision, life benefits; 403(b); 10 sick days and 2 personal days; preschool/child care discounts; mandatory participation in Arizona State Retirement System.

Position Summary

Benson Unified School District is seeking a highly qualified, student-centered Certified School Counselor to support the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral success of students. This position is funded through the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) School Safety Grant and is contingent upon continued grant funding.

The counselor will play a key role in strengthening school safety initiatives, supporting MTSS/PBIS systems, and providing direct and indirect services that promote student well-being, attendance, and readiness to learn.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling to support student academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs

• Implement school-wide safety, prevention, and intervention programs aligned with ADE School Safety Grant expectations

• Support MTSS and PBIS frameworks through tiered interventions and data-driven decision-making

• Assist with crisis response, threat assessment processes, and student safety planning in collaboration with administration

• Support attendance improvement efforts and connect students/families to community resources

• Participate in student support teams, including IEP/504 and intervention meetings as appropriate

• Collaborate with administrators, teachers, and district staff to promote a safe and supportive school climate

• Provide proactive lessons and guidance curriculum on topics such as bullying prevention, conflict resolution, mental health awareness, and digital citizenship

• Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with district, state, and grant reporting requirements

• Support family engagement and community partnerships to enhance student success

• Participate in district safety trainings and required grant-related professional development

Minimum Requirements

• Valid Arizona Department of Education School Counselor Certification

• Master’s degree in School Counseling or related field

• Valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card (required)

• Knowledge of MTSS, PBIS, and school safety frameworks

• Strong understanding of student mental health, trauma-informed practices, and crisis intervention strategies

• Ability to collaborate effectively with staff, families, and community agencies

• Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills

• Experience working in a school setting preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in school safety initiatives, crisis response, or threat assessment teams

• Experience in high-need or Title I school settings

• Training in trauma-informed practices, restorative practices, or SEL programming

• Background in data-driven intervention systems (MTSS/RTI)

Funding Statement

This position is funded through the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) School Safety Grant. Continued employment is contingent upon availability of grant funding and compliance with all grant requirements and reporting expectations

FLSA Status - Exempt Benson

Unified School District does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or genetic information. The District also provides equal access to its facilities to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups, as required by the Boys Scouts of America Equal Access Act. Inquiries or complaints concerning Title VI, VII, IX, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act may be referred to the BUSD Title IX and Section 504 Compliance Officer: Jomel Jansson, 360 S. Patagonia St., Benson, AZ 85602; jjansson@bensonusd.org; (520) 720-6751.

Salary : $43,998 - $56,918