SCHOOL COUNSELOR

The Louisiana Special Schools are experiencing a critical shortage of certified teachers, school counselors,  interpreters and educators of the Deaf or hard of hearing.

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

This is an 10-11 month position, working an 8 hour day.  Must be willing to work flexible shifts/days. Travel, after school, night and weekend work may be required.

Preference will be given for Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) level of Advanced.  The minimum acceptable SLPI level for effective job performance is Advanced Plus and must achieve this SLPI level within two years of hire date.

The Louisiana Special Schools do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in our programs and activities, and we provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  Inquiries regarding non-discrimination may be referred to Kenyetta Sewell, Human Resources Director at (225) 757-3201 or ksewell@lsdvi.org .
 
RELEASE OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION INFORMATION: La. R.S. 17:3884(D) requires that any school board wishing to hire a person who has been assessed or evaluated pursuant to the Children First Act, La. R.S. 17:3871, et seq., whether that person is already employed by that school system or not, shall request such person's assessment and evaluation results as part of the application process. Please be advised that, as part of the mandated process, your previous assessment and evaluation results will be requested. You have the opportunity to apply, review the information received, and provide any response or information you deem appropriate.
 
Physical Activity Level:
The employee must be able to perform assigned duties without significant risk of substantial harm to his/her own safety/security and the safety/security of others. Some work is performed in physically comfortable positions with little or light physical effort, and some work requires moderate effort. Lifting thirty to forty pounds may be required and brief periods of heavy muscular exertion may be required. Interpreting/and transliterating, and teaching visually impaired students, require extended use of the upper body muscles and fine motor movements of the hands.  Physical requirements are subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA standards.
 
There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed.  Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected.
 
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy. To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities.  Applicants can check the status of their application at any time by selecting the 'Application Status' link after logging into their account.
 
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. You must include all relevant education and experience on your official State application.
 
Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application or faxed to (225) 763-5523. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

• Implements school system policies and school philosophy and programs.
• Exhibits knowledge of special education rules and regulations associated with implementation of state and federal laws.
• Exhibits understanding of children with handicaps and their needs, especially the deaf and hearing impaired children served by the school. 
• Demonstrates awareness of specialists, agencies, and organizations that serve children with disabilities and their families referring students with special needs who require additional services to appropriate personnel within and outside the school.
• Demonstrates knowledge of child growth and development.
• Demonstrates appropriate and effective program management skills such as planning, organizing and implementing.
• Exercises good judgment in making decisions.
• Maintains complete and accurate records pertinent to students' scholastic and personal development and exercises confidentiality of information in accordance with requirements of the law.
• Communicates effectively with parents.
• Maintains a positive relationship with professional associates, the community, the parents of the students and state and local agencies and demonstrates appropriate and effective interpersonal skills.
• Consults and coordinates with agencies as appropriate, including arranging transportation of students and follow-up visits.
• Participates in school-sponsored activities as sponsor, advisor, and/or participant.

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Provides large group counseling lessons focusing on Social Emotional Learning.
• Works in collaboration with school personnel to provide mental health counseling services to LSD students considered in need of Tier 2 or Tier 3 mental health support.
• Provides small group and individual counseling in a confidential setting to students as needed.
• Conducts support groups for students with special needs, e.g., Usher's Syndrome, Severe Grief Reactions, and Behavior Disorders.
• Participates in staffing or professional conferences concerning students' academic program or personal development.
• Helps create and maintain a school counseling program that is comprehensive, preventative and developmental.  The school counseling program is to be aligned with the Louisiana School Counseling Model.
• Address bullying/harassment and provide education (prevention and awareness via classes/presentation on topics such as anger/stress management, cyber safety, etc.)
• Address several topics (risky behavior, depression, anxiety, abuse, etc).
• Maintains a safe physical environment and demonstrates appropriate and effective student management.
• Conducts training for faculty, staff and parents to enhance knowledge of students' developmental needs and other areas of concern.
• Completes Needs Assessments related to the development of student social emotional skills to help focus on specific needs of students.
• Utilizes effective counseling techniques to meet the needs and interests of individual students.
• Demonstrates competency in the interpretation of clinical findings to parents, teachers, student life personnel, and other educational and related agencies.
• Facilitates communication between parents, teachers, student life personnel, and other related agencies.
• Supports teachers in implementing strategies to support social emotional needs in the classroom and throughout school environments.
• Serves on the School Positive Behavior and Intervention Support (PBIS) committee, playing a lead role in organizing and tracking progress of PBIS implementation at LSD.

Professional Conduct

• Demonstrates reliability and punctuality in attendance and in meeting obligations.
• Exhibits professional ethics.
• Exhibits initiative and recognizes and follows established communication channels.
• Serves as a member of various school-related committees where appropriate.
• Exhibits a willingness to accept and use suggestions for improvement.
• Uses time effectively.
• Assumes responsibility for professional growth and Participates in in-service training and professional conferences.
• May be required to develop and implement a Professional Growth Plan in consultation with the designated supervisor.
• May be required to complete a self-evaluation.
• Maintains an appropriate student-adult relationship and respects the individual worth and dignity of each student.
• Maintain and track documentation of mental health support for students. 
• Demonstrates effective expressive and receptive sign language skills.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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