School Counselor, #1047: Ingenium Charter Middle School, Winnetka, CA

                                      School Counselor

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: School Counselor                                       Schedule: 40 hrs/week minimum

Job Type: Full-Time                                                    FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Principal                                                   Pay: $80,608 (min); Depending on experience; Salary Scale

Special: Onsite position; May require weekend 

work, nights and early mornings, as needed

ABOUT INGENIUM SCHOOLS

Ingenium Schools is transforming education by restoring joy and meaning to learning. Since 2009, Ingenium Schools has helped students build confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning with the Ingenium Learning System, an easily replicable, standards-based educational model that promotes personal mastery. Ingenium Schools currently operates several charter schools, serving students throughout Los Angeles.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The School Counselor provides a full range of school counseling, behavioral and social-emotional services to Special Education and General Education children in grades 6-8th including screening and assessment, individual and group counseling, and work with/referral to outside agencies as appropriate. S/he is an integral member of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Team, helping to plan, implement, and monitor student programs across school sites.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & JOB DUTIES:

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

• Provide group and individual counseling for general education and special needs students
• Participate and facilitate IEP meetings
• Support in coordinating and developing Mental Health and Behavior programs

NETWORK CONTRIBUTIONS

• Demonstrates knowledge of and supports Ingenium Schools’ mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and code of conduct
• Strive to implement, by instruction and action, Ingenium Schools’ philosophy of education and goals/objectives in connection with Ingenium’s Signature Practices
• Continuously maintain and improve professional competence
• Attend mandatory trainings, professional meetings, and educational conferences, as required

POSITION CONTRIBUTIONS

• Initiate and exercise good judgment and positive working relationships with the community, students, staff and with public and private agencies

• Possess an extensive knowledge of a variety of forms of intervention and prevention models for both individuals and group therapeutic settings (ex: CBT, Play Therapy)
• Demonstrate the ability to assist with IEP Programming, specifically for students that require mental health/social-emotional supports.
• Create and implement therapeutic interventions for the purposes of fostering better mental health and positive learning environments for all students at Ingenium
• Work collaboratively with families to plan for student programming, including, but not limited to parent and staff education.
• Provide crisis counseling and referrals for students as needed
• Create positive and consistent communication with Ingenium staff
• Assist in the development of IEP goals related to Mental Health/Social-Emotional needs
• Regularly progress monitor IEP goals through use of an online IEP system
• Regular attendance at IEP meetings for the purpose of reporting student progress
• Work collaboratively with the IEP team to write, implement and progress monitor Behavior Intervention Plans in accordance with the IDEA.
• Provide support to teachers (Ed Specialists and GE teachers) through: modeling, observing, coaching, and planning.
• Provide support to students receiving mental health services that require behavioral support, per Individual Education Plans.
• Cross-collaborate with outside agencies.
• Actively participate and facilitate Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meetings
• Compile and interpret results of psycho-educational assessments to diagnose conditions and help assess eligibility for special services
• Work as part of a team to make program recommendations
• Develop, coordinate and provide in-service training to staff, parents and agency personnel
• Provide consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques
• Develop student goals and objectives
• Provide counseling services to students with mental health needs
• Counsel students (and families as needed) to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment
• Serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss
• Refer students and families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services
• Serve as a Behavior Intervention Case Manager (BICM) for designated special education students under the 1994 Hughes Bill, mandating “Positive Behavior Intervention” plans
• Act as liaison between public and private agencies and county programs
• Collaborate with school staff around MTSS implementation, student success/study team meetings, and crisis planning
• Consult with parents, teachers, and other staff regarding any accommodations needed for a specific student
• Maintain data on students, including present levels of performance and intervention strategies
• Establish and monitor necessary caseloads, work with schools and other staff to plan assessments and meetings; Submit records, reports, and assignments promptly and efficiently
• Write coherent and comprehensive individual behavior support plans
• Supervise counseling interns as necessary
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Principal

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• BA/BS degree in Social Work, Counseling, School Psychology or related field
• DIS counseling experience required
• Experience in crisis prevention and intervention required
• Previous experience in a Counselor role preferred

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES:

• Pupil Personnel Services credential or LMFT Licensure or LCSW Licensure required
• Nonviolent crisis intervention training (will be provided if needed)
• First aid and CPR (will be provided if needed) 

KNOWLEDGE:

Must have the ability to demonstrate and/or show competency in the following areas:

• Knowledge of federal and state laws and procedures, codes, regulations and requirements pertaining to areas of assigned responsibility for special education
• Knowledge of, and ability to implement, de-escalation techniques
• Knowledge of child guidance principles and practices, especially as they relate to students with learning disabilities, development delays and autistic-like behaviors
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar

ABILITIES:

• Ability to counsel students in individual and group situations
• Ability to listen and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, district personnel, other agencies and the public
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required.
• Ability to work independently at a high level of professionalism
• Ability to use tact, discretion, courtesy and patience in dealing with sensitive and difficult students and situations  
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license: willingness to provide own transportation in conduct of work assignments as you may be required to travel from site to site to work with students and faculty at different Ingenium Schools

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: 

• Primarily indoors in the classroom and office space
• May work without natural light and in small spaces
• Some exposure to childhood and other illness/diseases
• Moderate to loud campus noises 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Lift 40 pounds using proper technique
• Must have adequate vision to effectively review documents in varied formats i.e. paper and digital
• Ability to read and comprehend written information
• Must have adequate hearing to respond to members and interact with the public
• Ability to listen to and respond appropriately to student and parent concerns and issues
• Ability to stand for up to 1 hour
• Ability to run up to 100 yards
• May require some bending at waist, kneeling, and crouching to assist students
• Ability to document information, typing and writing throughout the day
• Ability to effectively and immediately communicate orally with students, parents, and coworkers
• Ability to effectively separate self from, process, and compartmentalize difficult student issues and situations
• Ability to perform student restraints according to accepted practices and techniques in rare circumstance that student exhibits immediate danger to self or others
• Selective attention
• Inductive and deductive reasoning skills
• Information ordering and category flexibility skills
• Ability to think critically and solve complex problems

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

The Counselor will present a competent and positive image of Ingenium Schools by supporting student learning and the Ingenium Systems. In addition the Counselor will exhibit and represent behaviors consistent with the expectations within the Ingenium Schools competency guidelines listed below:

• Accepts and demonstrates school’s and organization’s values
• Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs
• Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions
• Builds rapport and relates well to others
• Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another
• Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better student experience
• Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members
• Pursues self-development that enhances job performance
• Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process
• Strive to implement, by instruction and action, Ingenium Schools’ philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives
• Attend mandatory trainings, professional meetings, and educational conferences, as required

Salary : $80,608