2025-26 Counselor or Social Worker - Quail Run ES

Counselor or Social Worker

Location: Quail Run Elementary School

FTE: 1.0

Non-Interim Position

Dates: 7/25/2025 - 5/22/2026

Descriptions/Requirements of both positions below:

School Counselor:

The elementary school counselor assists students in overcoming problems that impede learning and to assist students in making educational, occupational and life plans.  Elementary school counselors balance their counseling programs by addressing students’ academic, career and social/emotional development in addition to balancing the delivery methods, recognizing that students learn in multiple ways. The end result of this work is reflected in an improvement in academics, attendance and discipline outcomes related to academic development, college and career readiness and social/ emotional development. 

This job reports to Site Administrator

Essential Functions

Provide individual counseling and group guidance to help students cope effectively with personal, social, academic, career, and family concerns.

Support the implementation of Social Emotional Learning instruction and practices.

Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and supporting agencies concerning the needs and abilities of students.

Advocate for students at individual education plan meetings, student study teams, and school attendance hearings, as necessary.

Consulting with the school principal to identify and resolve student issues, needs and problems.

Consult with teachers about building classroom connections, effective classroom management and the role of noncognitive factors in student success.

Provide academic support, including organizational, study and test-taking skills, goal setting and decision-making.

Assists students with developing an Educational/Career Action Plan for the purpose of supporting them in pursuing their middle school and high school goals, when appropriate.

Provide student services to support conflict resolution, bullying prevention and awareness, and crisis intervention.

Supporting the overall district’s educational program through general consultation activities and committee work.

Facilitate classroom counseling guidance programs.  

Convey to parents and staff, regarding specific student needs in academic, and personal/social areas.  

Provide students, parents and staff with prevention and intervention programs, behavior management, effective decision making and goal setting.

Maintain records of counseling services and consulting contacts.  

Assist in identification and evaluation of children with special needs.  

Assist the staff and parents with the interpretation of evaluative data and other student records.  

Cooperate with outside agencies and other Special Needs services within the district.  

Adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards as outlined by ASCA. 

Maintain accurate records for compliance with district, federal and state guidelines. 

Follow state law and district policy with cases involving child abuse and neglect.  

Provide on-going consultation and support to teachers and teams in the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention Plans for students experiencing difficulties.  

Participate in the District Crisis Team, if desired.  

May be required to participate in student meetings which occur beyond the staff’s work assignment schedule.  

Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; preparing and maintaining accurate records; planning and managing projects; using pertinent software applications.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: stages of child development; age appropriate activities/behaviors; assessment instruments and techniques.

ABILITY is required to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing a variety of complex processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working with frequent interruptions.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling,  and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 30% sitting, 10% walking, and 60% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations.

Experience:  

School Counseling experience is desired. Teaching experience preferred. Demonstrated success in mediation & relationship building.

Education:    

Certified School Counselor or Licensed Counselor

Required Testing                           Certificates and Licenses       

                                                              Arizona Department of Education Counseling                                                                 Certificate

Continuing Educ./Training               Clearances

                                                        Criminal Background Clearance

                                                   Valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card                      

Social Worker:                                

The Social Worker serves the student whose social, emotional and/or family problems interfere with his/her capacity to function adequately within an educational environment. The Social Worker professionally assesses the problem(s) in order to provide and refer for interventions that help eliminate barriers to learning. The Social Worker assists students in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement.  They promote and enhance the overall academic success by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning.  The Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe, and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of youth and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student successes and by implementing effective intervention strategies. 

Essential Functions:

• Ability to work effectively with district and school site administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and community agencies.
• Demonstrates professional knowledge and engages in ongoing professional development 
• Ability to collaborate with all levels of staff
• Prepares and maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic records (e.g. activity logs, phone logs, community resources, etc.) as appropriate for the purpose of documenting activities and providing up-to-date reference of services.
• Skill in identifying the needs of individuals and families in the areas of educational, social, mental health, and medical services, then developing and implementing the appropriate services needed.
• Maintains confidentiality of student and family situations while recognizing other professionals servicing the student may need appropriate information to adequately support the student. 
• Adheres to the NASW Code of Ethics and SSWAA ethical guidelines
• Display ethical and professional behavior in working with students, parents, school personnel, and outside agencies associated with the school.
• Ability to multi-task and respond to emergent situations.
• Understanding of basic child development and the impact that trauma has on development and systems.
• Understanding of community based basic needs and social services.

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Collaborates with teachers, administrators, staff, and community by providing support and assistance with social/behavioral management, home visits, truancy, and referral to community resources. (i.e., provides services as needed and requested, serves as a consultant role to school and administrative staff, is readily available to assist school staff members as requested).
• Provides direct social work assistance to children and their families (i.e. is available to meet with parents and school staff as to determine student/family needs, make contacts with appropriate agencies/resources to address needs, follows through with parents and/or agencies to ensure services received, maintains documentation of referrals provided for students/families).
• As needed, serves as a support member of school teams to support academic success and social emotional wellbeing including, but not limited to, PBIS Team, Threat Management Team, RTI/MTSS, and PLC. 
• Provides professional support to students (individually or in a small group setting) during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change or other situations impeding student success to enable successful outcomes.
• Implements, as appropriate, prevention curriculum programs consistent with current school needs and best practices (i.e. Social Emotional Learning, Bullying/Abuse Prevention, Drug Use Prevention).
• Develops and provides crisis intervention strategies to improve student success.
• Participates in school and District based meetings as required.
• Serves as a member of multidisciplinary teams to support academic success and social emotional wellbeing including, but not limited to, Site Administration, District Administration, Special Education teams, and other Student Support services.
• Work collaboratively with district based student support services and programs to align resources for maximum impact.
• Build partnerships with community agencies for the purpose of meeting student and family needs.
• Implement social service support throughout the school and/or district that will impact student’s attendance, behavior and grades.
• Facilitate responsive services through effective use of small group and individual support to assist students in increasing their self-esteem, coping skills, communication skills, social interactions and conflict-resolution management, etc.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in social work (M.S.W.) required
• AZBBHE License or ADE School Social Work Certification preferred

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.   Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:  accounting/bookkeeping principles.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities; collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment.   Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using defined methods.  Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with similar types of data; and utilize job-related equipment.  Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans.  Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited.  Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; and working with detailed information.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include:  working under direct supervision using standardized routines; providing information and/or advising others; utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job’s functions.   There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands; some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling. And significant fine finger dexterity.  Generally the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking and 20% standing.   This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience:   Job related experience is desired.

Education:    Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW)

                     AZBBHE License or ADE School Social Work Certification preferred

Equivalency: 

RequiredTesting:                         Certificates and Licenses:                                                                           Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW)

Continuing Educ./ Training:               Clearances:

                                         Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

FLSA Status - Exempt

Paradise Valley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the School's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), or Title II of the Genetic Information NonDiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.