Special Education Counselor - Pool Posting

Special Education Counselor

• POOL POSTING

Job Status: OPEN Posting Date: 03/08/2024 Posting Number: 011875 Location: Special Services Position Title: Special Education Counselor

• POOL POSTING Wage/Hour Status: Exempt Reports To: Executive Director of Special Services

Primary Purpose:

Plan, evaluate and provide counseling services to special education students who demonstrate an

educational need. Ensure that special needs students have access to the appropriate support and interventions in order to facilitate improved achievement in a school environment. Provide special education counseling to improve a student's ability to function in social, emotional, and behavioral capacities.

Qualifications: Education/Certification:

• Master's Degree in Counseling

• Valid Licensed Professional Counselor state licensure or other related mental health field

• Texas Education Agency Special Education Counselor certificate.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of students' needs with social, emotional, behavioral or physical disabilities

• General knowledge of curriculum and accommodations to facilitate student needs

• Knowledge of empirically validated counseling theories/strategies

• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

• Ability to help students to manage their social, emotional and behavioral needs

• Knowledge of childhood and adolescent development

• Knowledge of mental health

• Knowledge of human behavior

• Knowledge of cognitive development

Experience:

• Three years LPC, LMFT, LMSW and experience with students in grades K-12
• Three years school counselor experience preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Collaborates with members of the ARD committee, develops Individual Education Plans (IEP) and supports students in achieving IEP goals and objectives.

• Coordinates counseling services in collaboration with special education counseling department and district behavior support team.

• Collaborate with families and guardians to generalize effective strategies to the home. It may include referring families to outside agencies or non-profit organizations that specialize in working with families of special needs.

• Maintain appropriate, data driven professional records to provide input on eligibility, placement, manifestations, and annual reviews.

• Submit lists, documentation, and data forms requested by Special Services.

• Demonstrate professional growth on a consistent basis to maximize effectiveness.

• Follow ethical guidelines of licensing entity when providing counseling services in a variety of settings.

• Follow policy and procedures of TEA for the provision of Special Education Counselor.

• Conduct counseling evaluations in a thorough, collaborative, and timely manner.

• Prepare thorough and relatable evaluation reports.

• Consult other professionals prior to ARD/IEP meeting concerning the student's goals and objectives.

• Make recommendations regarding intervention strategies to enhance student success in the classroom setting.

• Provide consultation to campus personnel, concerning academic and emotional needs of students.

• Attend team meetings and assume responsibilities within the group.

• Attend staff development and continuing education trainings to improve counseling skills.

• Be willing to share new knowledge gained through professional staff developments.

• Communicate with campus personnel to develop a better understanding of the interventions in place to help the student succeed.

• Be sensitive to the concerns of staff members and colleagues.

• Follow policy and procedures of the district employee handbook.

• Work within the team structure of the various campuses assigned.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Customer Care Skills:

• Provide professional communication with students, parents, community members, staff and other professionals at all times.

• Use proper phone etiquette at all times, speaking slowly and clearly. Take reliable messages, and route to appropriate staff.

• Ensure superior customer care skills are used via eye contact, facial expressions, voice inflections, body language, and an attitude of "going the extra mile" for others.

• Ensure all requests for information are dealt with in an appropriate timeframe.

• Create and maintain a welcoming, service-oriented environment toward all internal and external customers.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands:

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals.

Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds). Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); may be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning of students with disabilities

Environment: Work inside; may work outside; districtwide travel to other AISD campuses; occasional home visits

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions, maintain emotional control under stress

Salary: Pay Grade PG02, $345.27 - $409.14 daily rate commensurate with experience according to District salary schedule.

Days: 213