Elementary School Counselor

Lincoln County School District #2

Position located is anticipated to be Etna and Thayne Elementary

Position is open until filled

SCHOOL COUNSELOR: Special Education / Non-Special Education

STAR VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

JOB PURPOSE:

The work of elementary school counselors aligns with the district’s mission of supporting students' success at the next level. The school counselor is uniquely trained in child development, learning strategies, self-management, and social skills, who collaborates and shares responsibility for implementing school counseling programming through education, prevention, and intervention activities, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives: individually, in groups, whole-class, and schoolwide, which is essential in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement and support of the Individual Education Program as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

At a minimum, candidates must hold or be eligible for certification by the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board authorizing service in the area of School Counselor or hold or be eligible for license/certification through the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board.

POSITION TYPE:

• FLSA: Exempt
• Salary: $67,070 to $107,270
• Benefits: Retirement, Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Contract Hours: 1480 hours
• Reporting to: Building Principal of assigned schools and Director of Special Services

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Work across all levels to provide appropriate counseling services for students, including IDEA-related services
• Instruction and prevention programming: Social Skills, Coping Skills, Emotional Development, Anti-Bullying through whole-class instruction and schoolwide programming
• Counseling: Work with students in groups or individually, with or without Individual Education Programs (IEP)
• Consultation with teachers, school professionals, administrators, and parents
• Collaboration with teachers, district professionals, school-based teams, and community agencies
• Referrals: Connecting families with school and community resources

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise interns and practicums, as allowable and as assigned

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF POSITION:

• Provide behavioral and educational counseling to individuals and small groups of students;
• Assist students in under­standing and seeking solutions to social, emotional, or academic problems and issues;
• Serve as a resource on student behavior management strategies, welfare, and atten­dance prob­lems and concerns;
• Performs decision analysis and makes decisions of considerable consequence,
• Assists with the development and monitoring of individual education programs for students
• Establish and maintain effective organizational, public, and community relationships
• Works as a liaison with social service and youth service agencies in pursuing referral follow-up

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. Adhere to all school district policies and procedures, federal and state laws
2. Meet professional licensure requirements, rules, regulations, and code of conduct
3. Continually improve and develop professional knowledge and skills for best practices in child development, mental health, and educational strategies
4. A willingness to go beyond basic requirements and have flexibility in adapting to change
5. Ability to respond to constructive criticism and demonstrate well-developed emotional maturity
6. Promote the district’s vision, mission, and strategic plan.
7. Foster a positive image of the school, students, and staff
8. Perform other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE:

Working knowledge in various counseling/guidance methods appropriate for young children in individual or group settings to include behavioral interventions.

General knowledge of the basic principles of children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Familiarity with the school system's structure, educational policies, and basic curriculum standards. Awareness through certification/licensure programs of ethical and legal mandates relevant to counseling and working with students/minors.

Thorough knowledge of interpreting assessments to identify students’ strengths, challenges, and needs.

SKILLS:

• Design, implement, and evaluate counseling, IDEA-related services, and related programming
• Recognize and respond to crisis situations (e.g., child abuse, bullying, family trauma) following school protocols and legal requirements
• Work effectively with teachers, administrators, parents, and other agencies to support the child’s educational and personal development
• Collects, organizes, and analyzes student information through the use of educational, historical data, test results, and through the use of interview techniques
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions with minimal accounta­bility controls
• Establishes, maintains, and monitors the mainte­nance of a variety of files and records pertaining to student counseling, guidance, and related matters

WORK CONDITIONS:

The primary workspace will be within the assigned district building(s). Duties are typically indoors and occasionally outdoors, which may include unpredictable weather conditions. This position may involve sitting, walking, and standing throughout the day, including moving from room to room and maneuvering in crowded hallways. Travel may be required within or outside the district for activities with students and professional activities or meetings. The noise level is normally low to moderate but may become loud when large groups are together. This position requires accurate perception of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, and the ability to provide written and oral information. Generally, the job requires 34% sitting, 33% walking, and 33% standing. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

In accordance with policy GBEC and procedure GBEC-R all new employees must submit to a pre-employment drug and alcohol test. Employee must consent to and provide the necessary documentation (fingerprinting, etc.) to allow for a criminal background check.

The job description is subject to change in response to demographics, staffing factors, funding variables, modified operating procedures, and/or program/curriculum changes.

Salary : $67,070 - $107,270