JOB SPECIFICATION 

POSITION: School Counselor/Social Worker 

DEPARTMENT: Student Support Services 

LOCATION: Great Hearts AZ (multiple academy locations) 

REPORTS TO: Headmaster 

EEO Classification: Professionals 

FLSA STATUS: Salaried-Exempt 

 

Position Summary

The core responsibilities of the School Counselor) are (a) planning and oversight of the school counseling services provided; (b) managing and conducting therapy with IEP & 504 students with counseling on their plans; (c) managing and conducting therapy with general education students with counseling on their plans; (d) crisis support as needed and (e) to act as a liaison for students with social & emotional needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Planning and Oversight:

• Organizes a program that addresses school social & emotional needs
• Contributes to the development of program guidelines as appropriate.
• Cooperates with the Great Hearts lead office, community, and/or state programs
• Attends meetings, such as faculty meetings, special meetings, and parent-teacher conferences, as needed.
• Schedules interventions using a variety of service delivery models, including classroom intervention, consultation/collaboration and pull-out as appropriate to meet student needs in the least restrictive environment.
• Coordinates School Counseling services for students
• Collaborates with school personnel such as teachers, and other related service providers to best meet the needs of all students.
• Meets with related school personnel to coordinate specific objectives for individualized educational programs (IEPs).
• Safeguards confidentiality of student records.
• Adheres to established rules, regulations, laws and appropriate ethical standards.
• Demonstrates knowledge of federal, state and local rules, regulations and laws.
• Plans appropriate trainings relevant to social/ emotional health for faculty, staff or students.

Managing and Conducting Therapy with IEP/ 504 Students

• Serves on the Student Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) team.
• Observes students in educational environments.
• Makes recommendations for services for IEP/504 plans.
• Writes goals for the IEP.
• Tracks Data for IEP goals and provides data & associated information on a quarterly basis.
• Plans evidence-based interventions appropriate for individual students and groups of students.
• Make all decisions regarding treatment (such as dismissal from services)
• Communicate with academy faculty, parents, and other relevant team members about plans for service.
• Write progress notes for each session
• Manage student data in SCUTA

 

Managing and Conducting Therapy with General Education Students

• Collaborates/consults with classroom teachers in on social emotional development.
• Providing re-occurring direct and group school-based counseling to general education students returning and newly identified through a referral process. As the counseling is school-based it is limited in scope and duration.
• Plans evidence-based interventions appropriate for individual students and groups of students.
• Informs academy faculty and families about the frequency and duration of services
• Make all decisions regarding treatment (such as dismissal from services)
• Communicate with academy faculty, parents, and other relevant team members about plans for service.
• Write progress notes for each session
• Manage student data in SCUTA

Crisis Support

• Responding to and providing limited-scope direct and group crisis counseling to students and staff in an emergency situation.
• As needed, responding to students experiencing active suicidal and/or homicidal ideation and threats and acute psychosis. Collaborating with families, academy administration and staff to develop a plan in response to student’s’ needs and psychiatric presentation to ensure safety for involved individuals.
• Consulting with families, Great Hearts and Academy administrative staff in assessing threat and risk to self and others.
• Providing students, families and staff referral information for local and community agencies where continued and long term support may be obtained.

Liaison:

• Provides consultation to parents, teachers and other appropriate school personnel.
• Seeks the assistance of teachers, parents and others to meet the communication needs of students.
• Gives written information to teachers, parents and others on ways to foster social and emotional growth
• Talks with teachers formally and informally about individual student's needs and progress.
• Consults/communicates with non-school agencies to enhance services as needed.
• Requests specific information on individual student's receiving services from non-school agencies (e.g., clinics, hospitals, physicians, health departments, day care centers, etc.) with signed release of information.

 

Qualifications, Competencies & Strengths

Education: Master’s Degree in School Counseling or a related field

Certification:

• AZ School Counselor Certificate

 

Experience: Two years of school-based experience preferred.

Special Skills

• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with staff and site team members.
• Ability to contribute and participate in the assessment, intervention and documentation process.
• Proficient in the use of technology.

Additional Requirements

Type of fingerprint clearance: Must possess or obtain valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP fingerprint clearance card.

Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.

Travel required: none

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

QUESTIONS? INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

You may reach out to Lauren Katz with any questions you have or stating interest (be sure to include your resume) Lkatz@greatheartsaz.org

Job Type: Full-time