High School Counselor (Leave Replacement)

Position Summary:

The Long-term School Counselor will act as a leave replacement from September through the end of the 2026-7 school year. The School Counselor, under the direction of the building principal, plans and provides for appropriate services for students. Provides an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of all students. Supports students’ academic, social-emotional, college/career, and mental health needs using developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed practices. Monitors and evaluates student outcomes. Communicates and interacts with students, parents, staff, and community. Develops, selects, and modifies guidance lessons and materials to meet the needs of all students. Monitors appropriate use and care of equipment, materials, and facilities. Utilizes all resources available to establish cooperative relationships with parents, staff members and administrators to support each student's ability to learn and grow intellectually, socially and in life, thereby becoming a positive and productive citizen of our democracy.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of current theories and methodologies of effective family interventions and behavior modifications.
• Knowledge of State and Federal regulations regarding special education, Section 504, custody and other family issues, recordkeeping, etc.
• Knowledge of community support resources and family service agencies.
• Ability to provide instruction to parents regarding the use of behavior management/modification techniques.
• Ability to handle confidential matters and information in a professional manner, including obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information.
• Ability to communicate positively and effectively with co-workers, students, parents, and the public.
• Skills in using proper grammar and English in oral and written communications as well as correct spelling usage.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism and diplomacy, establish cooperative working relationships with District staff to enhance the completion of assigned tasks.
• Ability to work in an atmosphere where interruptions occur frequently and priorities are often modified, using a high degree of flexibility.
• Participate in providing intervention support services in a team approach for students, staff, and parents.
• Responsible for student learning plans.
• Teach skills in the classroom, or other group settings, concerning coping, social norms, physical and emotional survival, mediation, awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion, social and emotional learning and problem solving.
• Provide staff and parents training in areas such as intervention techniques, learning styles, behavior management, instructional approaches, attention deficits, at-risk characteristics, drug-affected children, child development and parenting skills.
• Support students with anxiety, depression, crisis response, and re-entry following absences.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary assessments for areas such as academic, intellectual, learning styles, behavioral, and social/emotional/health needs.
• Consult and collaborate with parents, school staff and outside agency personnel regarding mental health, behavioral, social/emotional, and educational concerns, their implications and means of intervening.
• Evaluate and record student progress; collect and interpret a variety of data, prepare reports.
• Collaborate with administration on generating students and staff schedules.
• Develop and maintain professional competency through in-service education, coursework, and other professional growth activities.
• Serve on staff committees as required.
• Use computers and related technologies.
• Maintain consistent presence at assigned worksite and regular work hours.
• Professionally interact with students, staff and public.
• Establish and maintain professional boundaries with students.
• Comply with all district policies and procedures and with the Code of Professional Conduct.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful counseling experience at the secondary level.
• Demonstrated experience managing and promoting positive student behavior at all times.
• Demonstrated positive, willing attitude with mature and direct problem-solving skills, strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, professional growth, and increased student achievement.
• Additional secondary endorsement preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience and/or training with cultural, ethnic and language diversity preferred.
• Valid Washington State educational staff associate (ESA) certificate or teaching certificate with appropriate school counselor endorsement required.
• Successful WA State Patrol and FBI fingerprinting clearance.
• I-9 Employment Eligibility in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
Completion of all district-required trainings in SafeSchools within thirty (30) calendar days from hire date.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee is confined to a work area, required to have precise control of fingers and hand movements; experiences constant interruptions and inflexible deadlines; and must be able to stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, kneel, stand for periods of time, and lift in order to assist a student with personal care. The employee is required to deal with distraught and/or angry persons and may be exposed to infectious diseases carried by children. The noise level in the work environment is acceptable to this particular environment and can vary depending upon daily activity but will remain within acceptable ranges.

Physical Requirements Include:

May require occasional physical activity consistent with supporting students in a school environment.

Evaluation :

The High School Principal will evaluate the School Counselor pursuant to the currently established district procedures and evaluation criteria. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above essential job functions.