About this role
PURPOSE Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, the School Social Worker/Elementary Counselor – Student Support & Behavior Specialist promotes student success by providing preventive services and responding to students' academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs. This position implements a comprehensive school counseling and student support program while serving as a key member of the school's behavior support and crisis response team. The position supports the academic, career, personal/social, and behavioral development of all students through collaboration with staff, families, and community partners. REPORTS TO: Principal TYPICAL WORK YEAR: 9 Months – Additional days may be requested by East Grand School District. Additional days are limited to eight days for the professional school counselor. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES GUIDANCE CURRICULUM The professional school counselor implements the Guidance Curriculum Component through the use of effective instructional skills and the careful planning of structured group sessions for all students.
• Teaches guidance lessons effectively.
• Encourages staff involvement to ensure the effective implementation of the guidance curriculum.
• Delivers instruction that promotes social-emotional learning, self-regulation, conflict resolution, and positive behavior.
INDIVIDUAL PLANNING The professional school counselor implements the Individual Planning Component by guiding individuals and groups of students and their parents through the development of educational and career plans.
• Collaborates with parents to help students establish goals and develop planning skills.
• Demonstrates accurate and appropriate interpretation of assessment data and presents relevant, unbiased information.
• Implements and provides academic and career counseling.
• Assists students in developing self-advocacy, executive functioning, and social-emotional skills that contribute to academic success.
RESPONSIVE SERVICES The professional school counselor implements the Responsive Services Component through the effective use of individual and small group counseling, consultation, referral, and behavioral support services.
• Provides individual and small group counseling for students with identified social-emotional, behavioral, or mental health concerns.
• Consults effectively with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals.
• Implements an effective referral process in collaboration with parents, administrators, teachers, and community agencies.
• Responds promptly to student behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health crises using trauma-informed and evidence-based de-escalation strategies.
• Serves as a member of the school's behavior response team by responding to radio calls and providing direct support during student behavioral escalations.
• Collaborates with administrators, special education staff, teachers, and families to develop, implement, and monitor behavior intervention plans and student support plans.
• Supports safe reintegration of students into the learning environment following behavioral incidents.
SYSTEM SUPPORT The professional school counselor implements the System Support Component through effective program management and support for schoolwide initiatives.
• Provides a comprehensive and balanced counseling and student support program in collaboration with school staff.
• Supports other school programs and initiatives.
• Actively supports the school's MTSS framework, PBIS systems, and schoolwide behavior expectations.
• Partners with administrators and staff to build capacity in behavior prevention, restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and effective de-escalation strategies.
• Participates as an active member of multidisciplinary teams, including MTSS, behavior support, crisis response, attendance, and special education teams.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members.
• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional growth.
• Maintains professional and responsible work habits.
• Follows professional ethical and legal standards while promoting equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.
While the professional school counselor may perform other counseling duties as assigned by the principal, the priority remains implementing and coordinating the comprehensive school counseling program while supporting schoolwide student behavior and mental health needs. ACCOUNTABILITY
• Conducts a yearly program audit to review the extent of program implementation.
• Collects and analyzes data to guide program direction and emphasis.
• Measures results of school counseling program activities and shares results as appropriate.
• Monitors student academic performance, behavior, attendance, and social-emotional well-being while assisting with appropriate interventions.
• Maintains documentation related to counseling services, behavior interventions, and crisis response as required.
NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Perform related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED Work is performed under the general direction of the School Principal, who will annually evaluate the performance of the professional school counselor/social worker. The employee is expected to exercise initiative and judgment in planning and organizing work, completing assignments, and responding to routine and crisis situations. Work is reviewed through conferences and reports for results achieved and shall be evaluated at least annually. WORK CONTACTS Frequent contact with teachers, students, parents, district staff, community mental health providers, and other school personnel is required. CONDITIONS OF WORK Work is performed in classrooms, offices, hallways, playgrounds, and other school settings. The position requires frequent movement throughout the school building and occasional outdoor supervision. The employee must be able to respond quickly to student behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health crises and support students experiencing behavioral escalation. While physical restraint is not a primary responsibility of this position, the employee must be able to assist in maintaining a safe learning environment during crisis situations in accordance with district policy and approved training. DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES The ability to perform the following work activities with or without reasonable accommodation:
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Work independently and meet deadlines.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Knowledge of counseling concepts, behavior intervention strategies, trauma-informed practices, applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively de-escalate students experiencing emotional or behavioral crises.
• Ability to remain calm, make sound decisions, and support students and staff during crisis situations.
• Ability to respond promptly to behavior support requests throughout the school building.
• Experience implementing restorative practices, PBIS, MTSS, and collaborative problem-solving approaches.
• Successful experience supporting students with significant behavioral, emotional, or mental health needs is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with teachers, administrators, families, and outside agencies.
ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
• Responsible counseling, school social work, or related experience in educational settings is required.
• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in School Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Colorado Department of Education School Counselor License or School Social Worker License is required.
• Experience working within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and crisis response frameworks is preferred.