Deer Creek Middle School - Counselor 6th - 8th

Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 69,000 students across 155 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.

Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.

Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. Come join us!

Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer. All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.

Deer Creek Middle School is a neighborhood school serving 550 students in grades 6-8. Half of our students come from our two neighborhood feeder schools, Stony Creek Elementary and Ute Meadows Elementary, and half choice-enroll from over 25 public, charter, private and home school settings. Deer Creek is unique in Jeffco, serving both the Chatfield community and the surrounding areas with two academic programs: Humanities and STEM. Both programs support the competencies of Jeffco Thrives 2025, but each has a distinct focus and learning environment to appeal to learners of different strengths and interests. With over 40 exploratory, elective, and support classes available to students in 6th-8th grade, Deer Creek also offers the widest selection of elective programming among middle schools in Jeffco. Our philosophy is that middle level learners need both opportunities to explore a range of electives, as well as avenues to focus on specific interests.

Counselor
Annual Position
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.00000 , Hours/Day: 8.000 , Days/Year: 195
Salary Plan, Grade, Step: JCE - Professional - 185 days , L01, 1
Min-Mid Annual Salary Range: $55,256.00 - $74,031.50 Effective as of: 08-16-2024

Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job-specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.

SUMMARY Deliver a comprehensive school counseling program that is data driven and aligns to both district and school priorities. Lead, advocate, and collaborate to promote equity and access for all. Provide universal, targeted, and intensive support that match student needs and promote career, academic, and social emotional development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Design and implement instruction aligned to American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success in classroom/large-group, small-group, and individual settings

Provide short-term counseling in small-group and individual settings

Use the principles of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) with the context of a comprehensive school counseling program to provide universal, targeted and intensive support matched to student needs.

Utilize evidence-based counseling theories and techniques that are effective in a school setting to promote academic, career, and social/emotional development for all students.

Adhere to the legal and ethical standards and professional competencies of school counseling to demonstrate high standards of integrity, leadership, and professionalism.

Apply the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success to inform the implementation of the school counseling program.

Develop annual outcome goals and action plans based on student data that address gaps in achievement, attendance, discipline, opportunity, and resources.

Regularly assess counseling program to determine its effectiveness, inform improvements to the design and delivery, and show how students are different as a result of the school counseling program.

Consult as needed when ethical or legal questions arise.

Make referrals to appropriate school and community resources

QUALIFICATIONS Hold current CDE Special Services Provider license with a School Counselor Endorsement. For further information on CDE Special Service Provider licensing requirements, please visit the Colorado Department of Education website.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EQUIPMENT Working knowledge of developmental, learning, counseling, research, and educational theories to impact developmental issues affecting student success. Knowledge of best practices in Professional School Counseling. Ability to communicate and develop effective relationships and function effectively as a team member. Willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of students, staff, families, schools, and the district. Ability to integrate educational theory, research, and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts, in a style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement. Must have effective group facilitation skills. Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions. Skills in conflict resolution, decision making, and time management. Ability to read and interpret documents; write reports and correspondence and apply appropriate mathematical concepts; and to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes, but is not limited to, efficient voice mail systems, application of basic computer skills to effectively use email, internet, and word processing.

DIVERSITY OF DUTIES Duties require knowledge of District and school policies/procedures and applicable state/local/federal laws; facility security; child/adolescent behavior; intervention and mediation skills; and excellent verbal and written communication abilities. Position does not require additional supervision responsibilities outside the regular work day/work week, however, student discipline events and conferences with staff may extend beyond the work day in order to ensure timely conclusion of such matters.

The physical demands, mental functions, and work environment characteristics described here 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

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Normal routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, reaching, sitting, standing, vision, and walking; and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that cannot always be anticipated. Ability to meet physical needs of students.

Important Notice Regarding Licensed Positions

Job Status: Ongoing
A successful external applicant will be issued a probationary contract. A successful internal applicant that currently holds a probationary or non-probationary contract with Jeffco Public Schools will maintain that contract status.

Jeffco Salary Schedules

Jeffco Benefits

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.