PRIMARY PURPOSE:

• To provide prevention, intervention, counseling and mental health support services for identified students as an integral part of their total emotional, personal, social, vocational and educational development in order to remove barriers to academic achievement as indicated in ESSA.

QUALIFICATIONS: Counselor Certification Required
Education/Certification:

• Master’s Degree in Counseling or a related field
• Texas Teacher Certificate
• Professional Counseling Licensure or Certificate (LPC, LPC-I, LCSW, LMFT)

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Provide leadership and expertise in mental health and crisis situations involving the counseling team.
• Have training in mental health, suicide risk assessment, trauma, family dynamics, alcohol and drug abuse, and crisis intervention
• Have training in the fields of child abuse, parent education, ADHD, depression, divorce, victimization, self-esteem, social skills, conflict resolution, communication skills, Sec. 504, decision making skills and transition.
• Exhibit excellent communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
• Possess knowledge, understanding, and value of technology in public school education.
• Have knowledge and understanding of the Policies and Procedures of the MISD.
• Exhibit highly effective organizational and consensus building skills.
• Possess knowledge and understanding of the change process, organizational development, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills.

EXPERIENCE:

• Successful experience in school counseling or experience working in the mental health field
• Experience working with adolescents
• Experience working with substance abuse issues

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Be available to all students for individual counseling and for conducting group counseling when appropriate and feasible.
• Provide counseling and support for student athletes testing positive for drug use.
• Provide support groups for anger management, personal and family issues, and drug and alcohol issues
• Consult with teachers concerning students in their classes, and assist teachers in their dealings with students when appropriate.
• Consult with parents concerning the academic, vocational, and personal development of their children.
• Consult with assistant principals concerning the attendance and discipline of students.
• Work closely with the school nurse and referral sources concerning the mental and physical health needs of students, and in incidents of child abuse.
• Cooperate with teachers in making special education referrals to the ARD committee and 504 committee
• Assist students and their parents in locating available and appropriate referral sources, and maintain cooperative working relationships with these community agencies.
• Assist in carrying out the duties as specified in the Crisis Management Plan, especially in the areas of suicide or trauma.
• Coordinate transitional services from alternative placements discipline placements, mental health and substance abuse placements, and other alternative placements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Coordinate Section 504 Services for students with disabilities related to Mental Health, as needed.
• Coordinate with early release and alcohol/drug programming at the DAEP.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Clerical Aides and student workers as assigned (For Secondary Counselors)

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Mental Demands:

• Communicating well, making multiple decisions regarding students’ educational, physical, and emotional well being, and maintaining emotional control under stress.

Physical demands/environmental factors:

• Flexibility
• Extended hours of interpersonal relationships.
• Prolonged and irregular hours.
• Responding to crisis situations and maintaining emotional control.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.