School Counselor

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 
Length of position: 189 contract days

Hours: 7:30-4:00, with nights and weekends possible

SUMMARY

The School Counselor provides a variety of related and support services individually and in groups to deaf or hard of hearing students; interprets information about student behavior and conditions related to academic and social/emotional learning; collaborates with community agencies; and consults with teachers, residential staff, parents and other professional support personnel regarding the behavioral, social and emotional aspects of a student’s education and development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs counseling (individual and group) with deaf and hard of hearing students.
• Provides services to staff, families, and other appropriate individuals regarding a student’s emotional, educational, and behavioral needs.
• Assesses students upon referral to determine counseling service needs; completes counseling assessment within the timeline; and shares the results of the assessment in Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) meetings.
• Develops counseling Individual Education Plans (IEP); monitors student progress on IEP, and completes progress reports according to state and district reporting guidelines.
• Participates in Functional Behavior Assessment meetings, Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REEDs), and Full and Individual Evaluations as part of the multidisciplinary team.
• Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team including the social-emotional and behavior support staff in selecting behavioral strategies and programs for use at school, in the residential setting and at the student’s home.
• Maintains appropriate counseling records on students.
• Participates in the crisis intervention team to support students and ensure their safety.
• Collaborates with the evaluation team on student evaluations
• Conducts student self-harm assessments and makes recommendation on weekends and after school hours on a rotating basis.
• Provides support to outreach services upon requests.
• Performs liaison activities with community agencies.
• Attends meetings, conferences and workshops of professional organizations and as appropriate, on site.
• Provides professional development on specific topics for staff and students and facilitates parent groups on select topics.
• Completes required paperwork requirements such as SHARS eligibilities and MSB entries, progress reports, and other necessary reports.
• Works with the department/district MTSS teams to monitor and evaluate our tiered service model.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in conferences regarding students and in the development of student’s instructional programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or special education.
• Valid Texas License in Social Work (LMSW), Counseling (LPC), or School Psychology (LSSP)
• Sign Language: The ultimate required proficiency level for the position using the levels designated in the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) is ADVANCED.

QUALIFICATIONS DESIRED

• Prior work experience with children and adolescents
• Prior work experience providing counseling services in schools
• Proficient sign communications skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

• Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information.
• Effective Communication—the individual must be able to appropriately communicate with colleagues, students, parents, families, administrators, supervisors, and the public.
• Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action.
• Quality control—the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure.
• Dependability—the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve.
• Safety and security—the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials.
• Interpersonal Skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.

SUPERVISOR

Supervisor of Related Services

Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) Code:

None equivalent

It is the Texas School for the Deaf’s (TSD) policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. TSD expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Retaliation against individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination proceeding is also prohibited. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, training, wages, and benefits. In addition to federal law requirements, TSD complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.