Counselor (Elementary) - Colorado Springs School District 11

Position Profile

Position: Counselor (Elementary)

Department/School: Queen Palmer

Reports To: Principal

FTE: 1

Days/Year: 187

Salary Schedule: 2025-2026 Teacher/SSP Salary Schedule, School Based Positions (Group A)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

School Counselor – Provides academic, career, and social-emotional counseling services aligned with the ASCA National Model.

Position Summary

Educators at Colorado Springs School District 11 are professional practitioners who ensure that every student has access to rigorous, engaging, and equitable learning opportunities. They embody the district’s values of innovation, inclusion, collaboration, and excellence, and are key contributors to creating a thriving school culture that supports academic and social-emotional success.

Core expectations include maintaining inclusive and supportive learning environments, using data to inform practice, collaborating with colleagues and families, advocating for student needs, and engaging in continuous professional learning. SSPs uphold professional ethics, confidentiality, and standards of practice established by their state and national professional organizations.

Essential Job Functions

Provide Specialized Services to Students

• Deliver direct, evidence-based services to support the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and physical development of students.
• Design and implement individualized interventions aligned with student needs and professional standards.

Consult and Collaborate with Educators and Families

• Partner with teachers, administrators, and families to identify student needs and develop effective support strategies.
• Provide guidance and professional consultation on best practices for student success and well-being.

Participate in Multidisciplinary Teams

• Contribute to the evaluation and development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 Plans, or other student support plans.
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, comprehensive support for students.

Support School-Wide Systems and Frameworks

• Assist in the development and implementation of school-based support systems, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and supports to improve student outcomes.

Respond to Crises and Advocate for Students

• Provide crisis intervention and support as needed to ensure student safety and well-being.
• Advocate for equitable access to educational opportunities and resources for all students.

Maintain Professional and Ethical Standards

• Uphold confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, and ethical practices in all aspects of work.
• Comply with federal, state, and district regulations and professional licensure requirements

Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

• Participate in ongoing professional development to maintain licensure and enhance expertise.
• Contribute to school and district initiatives focused on student support, equity, and wellness.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Evidence-based practices and interventions in the SSP’s professional discipline (e.g., psychology, counseling, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, or related fields).
• Federal and state regulations related to special education, Section 504, and other student support requirements.
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks.
• Assessment tools, evaluation methods, and intervention strategies appropriate for K–12 students.
• Principles of consultation, collaboration, and team-based problem solving in educational settings.
• Ethical, legal, and professional standards, including confidentiality and cultural responsiveness.

Skills in:

• Providing direct services and interventions to support students’ academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and physical development.
• Consulting and collaborating effectively with educators, administrators, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Developing and implementing IEPs, 504 Plans, and other individualized support plans.
• Analyzing student data to inform instructional and intervention decisions.
• Responding effectively to crises and advocating for equitable access to educational opportunities.
• Communicating clearly and professionally with diverse stakeholders.
• Managing caseloads, documentation, and compliance requirements accurately and efficiently.

Ability to:

• Foster positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students.
• Adapt interventions and services to meet diverse student needs and cultural contexts.
• Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive student support.
• Maintain professional integrity, ethical standards, and confidentiality at all times.
• Reflect on professional practice and pursue continuous growth and development.
• Contribute to school and district initiatives that promote student success, wellness, and equity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field
• Master’s degree or higher in an approved area of specialization (if required for CDE License).
• Valid Colorado Special Services Provider License
• Minimum of three (3) years of successful experience in the assigned discipline or related professional practice (may include internship or clinical experience).
• Preferred qualifications include additional endorsements or certifications, prior K–12 public school experience, and/or bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish or other district-identified languages).

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work is performed in schools, district offices, and community settings and may require travel between District sites. The position requires frequent interaction with students, staff, and families. Physical requirements vary by discipline and assignment and may include periods of standing or walking; lifting and carrying up to twenty (20) pounds; bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching; use of hands and fingers to operate standard office and instructional equipment; and the ability to communicate effectively, including speaking, hearing, and seeing with or without reasonable accommodation. Duties may also include lifting or positioning students, assisting with adaptive equipment, performing health-related procedures, or providing physical intervention or restraint when required by the position and consistent with District training and policy.

All essential job duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Join Our Team!

Join Colorado Springs School District 11 as a Special Services Provider (SSP) and help create learning environments where every student feels supported, capable, and inspired to succeed. Your expertise in health, wellness, and specialized instruction ensures that every learner is seen, valued, and equipped to thrive.

Employees in this category will also receive the following for the 2025-2026 school year:

• Pay for Performance (Mitchell High School): All Teachers/SSPs receive a Pay for Performance Bonus that is paid out in the fall (utilizing performance measures criteria from the previous year).
• Additional 10% to Base Pay for the following Hard to Fill positions: OT, PT, School Nurses, Audiologists, & School Psychologists
• Additional 15% to Base Pay for the following Hard to Fill position(s): SLP

Base Salary Setting: Employment, assignment and salary placement, is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title, job duties and time worked in the position. Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details.

Base Salary Setting (New Hires): Any newly-employed Teacher/Special Service Provider (SSP) will be placed on the appropriate lane for their educational background (BA, MA, etc). according to the official transcripts that are provided. They will be placed at the appropriate step for experience listed on the resume. Teachers will receive credit for a maximum of 14 years for any applicable teaching experience (provided that the experience occurred in the last 15 years).

Base Salary Setting (Rehires): Returning employees who have previously resigned or separated from the District will be rehired at the same step they were on at the time of resignation/separation plus any new experience gained in the same job, provided step increases were approved by the Board during the years in question.

See Employee Handbook (located on the D11 website) for information on salary setting for rehires (after retirement), promotions and lateral transfers.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY