Primary Purpose:     

Support the mission, vision, and strategic goals of Sweeny ISD by providing instruction, therapy, and educationally required counseling services to students to promote positive social skills, mental health, and personal growth. 

Qualifications:

   Education/Certification:

• Master’s degree in counseling from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas school counselor certificate
• Texas State Licensure: Licensed Professional Counselor

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Effective communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of counseling and guidance
• Ability to assist with instructional programs and teaching effectiveness
• Ability to interpret policy, procedures, and data
• Demonstration of counseling and guidance leadership
• Computer skills consistent with district expectations

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years successful counseling experience preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

 School-Based Mental Health and Wellness Services

1. Conducts needs assessments to identify areas in which students may require assistance or counseling.
2. Provides mental health and wellness services within a multi-tiered intervention framework addressing cognitive, affective and social and emotional performance.
3. Identifies the mental health and social emotional needs of students and develops an individual plan focused on prevention and intervention.
4. Identifies and compiles a current list of available appropriate community resources.
5. Communicates with parents, students, and staff, on the available student support programs, activities, and services.
6. Coordinates, facilitates, and monitors effectiveness of campus support activities using evidence-based programs.
7. Responds to parent and staff concerns and requests about students.
8. Assists students with transition between school and community learning environments.
9. Understands what constitutes a crisis, identifies when a crisis has taken place, helps those who have experienced traumatic situations, and provides intervention as necessary.
10. Reviews student referrals of students needing intensive mental health and makes recommendations for additional services.
11. Provides student risk assessments as needed using a district approved risk screening tool.
12. Informs supervisors of student threats to themselves and/or other students.
13. Counsels individually with students identified as high-risk and makes referrals to appropriate resources in the school or community as appropriate.
14. Develops and maintains collaborative and effective relationships with students, families, school district, county offices, and community partners.

Administrative/Staff Services

1. Serves as a member of counseling team providing a technical resource to district staff concerning social emotional and mental health wellbeing.
2. Organizes and provides staff development in the areas of student support and assisting at-risk students.
3. Initiates and/or assists other campus staff in making referrals to Children’s Protective Services.
4. Responds to requests for information from Children’s Protective Services.
5. Develops programs and provides training to students, families and staff on child abuse, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol, dating violence, and bullying prevention.
6. Maintain individual and group student support records,

Personal Growth and Work Habits

1. Stay up-to-date professionally through the selection of quality staff development opportunities for personal growth.
2. Research district policy, precedent, and current practices prior to taking action.
3. Participate as an effective team member who contributes to district, department, and content goals.
4. Demonstrate integrity and ethics.
5. Display proficient levels of technology applications.
6. Utilize time wisely for effective management of job responsibilities.
7. Maintain punctuality in daily work times, appointments, and meetings.
8. Meet task completion deadlines established by supervisor.
9. Maintain friendly customer-service-driven interactions with all stakeholders, students, teachers, administrators, and co-workers.
10. Work cooperatively with co-workers and supervisors to ensure that the goals of the school/department are met.
11. Maintain a positive and professional tone in all communication (i.e. email, written, and verbal).
12. Perform other duties and accept other responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise assigned counseling aide(s) and clerical employee(s).

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; occasional district-wide travel

Salary : $74,327 - $101,182