Purpose: The school counselor helps students attain an optimum level of personal and social adjustment, strength, and self-sustaining social-emotional skills. In order to coordinate comprehensive counseling programming, the school counselor must work closely with the school staff, special education teacher, and administration of NDSM.

Responsible to: School directors/principal

Essential Functions:

1. Help students attain an optimum level of personal and social adjustment.

2. Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and supporting agencies concerning the needs and abilities of students.

3. Ensure that all activities conform to school guidelines.

4. Communicate effectively with all members of the school district and community.

5. Work effectively with community organizations.

6. React to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned.

7. Support the value of education.

8. Support the philosophy and vision of NDSM

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:

1. Requires prolonged sitting or standing

2. Requires physical exertion to manually move, lift, carry, pull, or push heavy objects or materials

3. Occasional stooping, bending, and reaching

4. Requires some travel, including traveling between campuses

5. At times restraint of child

6. Potential for first aide

7. Potential for home visits

General Responsibilities:

1. Provide timely individual counseling and group guidance to help students cope effectively with personal, social, academic, career, and family concerns.

2. Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and supporting agencies concerning the needs and abilities of students.

3. Collaborate with a special education teacher to identify students with special needs and make appropriate recommendations for referral.

4. Teach social-emotional classes to all grade levels as directed by school administrators.

5. Implement an effective program of educational and career planning.

6. Assist the After School Program director and Childcare Coordinator in coordinating social-emotional health-related after school activities.

7. Facilitate professional development related to SEL to classroom aides.

8. Attend and assist when necessary with school events such as musical programs, mass, athletics, student recognition ceremonies, graduation and open house.

9. Be the team lead of the Student Culture Committee which leads events such as Upstander Week and Trimester Trio recognition program.

10. Obtain advance approval from the principals/directors for all activities and expenditures.

11. Other duties as assigned by the principals/directors or other administrative staff.

12. Support, track, report and hold parent meetings regarding attendance and truancy.

13. Provide training to all staff on an annual basis on Mandatory Reporting.  School counselor will report any signs of suspected abuse/neglect immediately and communicate/provide documentation to the appropriate director.

14. Utilize data from behavior detention to implement and monitor behavior trackers.  Counselor will connect the student with an appropriate check-in/check-out mentor and ensure the procedure is being done with fidelity.  Directors will support behavior trackers, if needed.  Counselor will provide parents/guardians with referral to outside support if growth is not evident with us of the tracker.

15. Support teachers to integrate appropriate sensory/movement supports and behavior accommodations.

16. Provide guidance and professional development to staff on self-care.