Job Title:         Licensed Professional Counselor                         Exemption
Reports to:      Director of Special Programs                                                                                 
Dept./School:  Special Programs Plan, manage, assess, evaluate, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Develop treatment plans and implement interventions to promote mental health and well-being for students.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:
Master’s degree in counseling from an accredited college or university
Valid Texas school counselor certificate
 
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of counseling procedures, student appraisal, and career development
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents or guardians, and district staff
 
Experience:
3 years counseling experience

 Major Responsibilities and Duties

1. Evaluate students' mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being, identifying any disorders or distresses that may be interfering with their mental health.
2. Develop and implement individualized treatment plans based on the students’ needs and circumstances, using evidence-based practices.
3. Provide various forms of counseling to help students improve mental health, resiliency, and coping skills.
4. Provide support and intervention to students in crisis situations
5. Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists, and coordinate with families to provide comprehensive care for students
6. Maintain accurate and thorough records of student assessments, treatment plans, and progress, preparing reports and other documentation as needed
7. Connect students and families with appropriate community resources and make referrals to other professionals when necessary.

Responsive Services

1. Use accepted theories and effective techniques of developmental guidance to respond to problematic or critical incidents to support students and offer services in time of need.
2. Use preventive activities to remove barriers that interfere with a student’s educational, career, personal, and social development.
3. Implement remediation practices to assist students in coping with problem situations or unwise choices. Identify precipitating and antecedent factors, effective and ineffective approaches to dealing with the circumstances, and provide feedback to guide future decisions.
4. Use specialized skills to support students in crisis situations requiring immediate response. Maintain a healthy and safe school environment by collaborating with district staff, parents or guardians, and local officials.
5. Provide continued support to students in need through individual counseling, small group counseling, consultation, or referral to services outside the school or district.  
6. Serve as an impartial, non-reporting resource for interpersonal conflicts and discourse involving two or more students, including accusations of bullying.

Other Related Duties

1. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents.
2. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and board policy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
3. Adhere to legal, ethical, and professional standards for school counselors including current professional standards of competence and practice.
4. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

 Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment
Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Frequent walking
Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); occasional physical restraint of students to control behavior
Environment: Work inside, may work outside
Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours
*Includes information from the Counselor Job Description and Evaluation Form distributed by the Texas Education Agency.
 
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.