JOB SPECIFICATION
POSITION: School Counselor/Social Worker DEPARTMENT: Student Support Services LOCATION: Great Hearts AZ (multiple academy locations) REPORTS TO: Headmaster EEO Classification: Professionals FLSA STATUS: Salaried-Exempt
Position Summary:
The core responsibilities of the School Counselor) are (a) planning and oversight of the school counseling services provided; (b) managing and conducting therapy with IEP & 504 students with counseling on their plans; (c) managing and conducting therapy with general education students with counseling on their plans; (d) crisis support as needed and (e) to act as a liaison for students with social & emotional needs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Planning and Oversight:
• Organizes a program that addresses school social & emotional needs • Contributes to the development of program guidelines as appropriate • Cooperates with the Great Hearts lead office, community, and/or state programs • Attends meetings, such as faculty meetings, special meetings, and parent-teacher conferences, as needed • Schedules interventions using a variety of service delivery models, including classroom intervention, consultation/collaboration and pull-out as appropriate to meet student needs in the least restrictive environment • Coordinates School Counseling services for students • Collaborates with school personnel such as teachers, and other related service providers to best meet the needs of all students • Meets with related school personnel to coordinate specific objectives for individualized educational programs (IEPs) • Safeguards confidentiality of student records • Adheres to established rules, regulations, laws and appropriate ethical standards • Demonstrates knowledge of federal, state and local rules, regulations and laws • Plans appropriate trainings relevant to social/ emotional health for faculty, staff or students
Managing and Conducting Therapy with IEP/ 504 Students:
• Serves on the Student Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) team • Observes students in educational environments • Makes recommendations for services for IEP/504 plans • Writes goals for the IEP • Tracks Data for IEP goals and provides data & associated information on a quarterly basis • Plans evidence-based interventions appropriate for individual students and groups of students • Makes all decisions regarding treatment (such as dismissal from services) • Communicate with academy faculty, parents, and other relevant team members about plans for service • Write progress notes for each session • Manage student data in SCUTA
Managing and Conducting Therapy with General Education Students:
• Collaborates/consults with classroom teachers in on social emotional development • Providing re-occurring direct and group school-based counseling to general education students returning and newly identified through a referral process • Plans evidence-based interventions appropriate for individual students and groups of students • Informs academy faculty and families about the frequency and duration of services • Makes all decisions regarding treatment (such as dismissal from services) • Communicate with academy faculty, parents, and other relevant team members about plans for service • Write progress notes for each session • Manage student data in SCUTA
Crisis Support:
• Responding to and providing limited-scope direct and group crisis counseling to students and staff in an emergency situation • As needed, responding to students experiencing active suicidal and/or homicidal ideation and threats and acute psychosis • Collaborating with families, academy administration and staff to develop a plan in response to student's' needs and psychiatric presentation to ensure safety for involved individuals • Consulting with families, Great Hearts and Academy administrative staff in assessing threat and risk to self and others • Providing students, families and staff referral information for local and community agencies where continued and long term support may be obtained
Liaison:
• Provides consultation to parents, teachers and other appropriate school personnel • Seeks the assistance of teachers, parents and others to meet the communication needs of students • Gives written information to teachers, parents and others on ways to foster social and emotional growth • Talks with teachers formally and informally about individual students needs and progress • Consults/communicates with non-school agencies to enhance services as needed • Requests specific information on individual students receiving services from non-school agencies (e.g., clinics, hospitals, physicians, health departments, day care centers, etc.) with signed release of information
Qualifications, Competencies & Strengths:
Education: Master's Degree in School Counseling or a related field Certification: AZ School Counselor Certificate Experience: Two years of school-based experience preferred Special Skills: • Outstanding oral and written communication skills • Ability to work independently and to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with staff and site team members • Ability to contribute and participate in the assessment, intervention and documentation process • Proficient in the use of technology
Compensation: Great Hearts offers a very competitive benefits package and overall compensation will be commensurate with talent, experience and education. Additional Requirements:
• Type of fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP fingerprint clearance card • Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately • Travel required: none
This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions, it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.