23- Online K-12 School Counselor (2023 - 2024 School Year)

It is essential that all employees of Pueblo School District 60 understand our mission is to provide a high-quality education that assures each student the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to lead a life of purpose and impact. Employees support the community and thrive in connecting with our students by embracing the core values of the district, which state:

• We believe that we must act with integrity, celebrate diversity, and promote equity.
• We believe that the social and emotional well-being of our students is as important as their academic needs.
• We believe that our community heritage, traditions, and history should inform our response to future student and district needs.
• We believe that it is our responsibility to provide a safe, positive, and supportive environment for our students and staff
• We believe that each individual must be treated with dignity and respect.
• We believe that the success of every student is our most important commitment.
• We believe that collaboration and engagement with our community, parents, staff, and students are essential to our success.

As we embrace these values and consider their impact, we will achieve our vision of being a high performing school district that inspires community confidence. Each employee plays a part, and that contribution should bring us closer to helping each student achieve their dreams.
Job Title: Online K-12 School Counselor
Work Year: 165 days plus 10 additional days
Department: Learning Services
Reports To: School Principal
Salary Range: Teacher Salary Schedule
Salary Range: $40,158-$88,298
Benefits: Fringe Benefits based on PEA Negotiated Agreement
Status: FLSA Status: Exempt
SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS:
The primary responsibility of the Online K-12 School Counselor is to utilize leadership, advocacy, and collaboration to promote student success through providing and coordinating preventative services, and to respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career, and personal/social development for all students. This may include direct online teaching of Edgenuity SEL courses to students in grades K-12. The Online School Counselor will also support school administration in high school credit monitoring and course scheduling to ensure on time graduation and post secondary planning.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
REQUIRED:

• Master’s Degree in School Counseling/Community Counseling/Family Counseling AND passing the PLACE or PRAXIS exam for School Counseling OR
• Eligible for a TEE or Alternative Licensing program
• Valid Colorado Special Services License with a School Counselor endorsement in secondary or K-12 within 60 days from date of hire OR
• Employee must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check and must be cleared by the Office of Human Resources
• Must be willing to work in an on-site shared classroom space.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, using proper grammar and vocabulary
• Master’s Degree in Community Counseling/Social Work AND willingness to obtain appropriate Authorization through the Colorado Department of Education and enroll in a Colorado state approved program for School Counseling and completion of program within 3 years AND
• Proof of acceptance in program and continued progress required prior to the start of each school year. OR

PREFERRED:

• Three to five years successful teaching or counseling experience at the secondary level (demonstrated by references and evaluations, and student growth)

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Computer expertise or an expectation to learn Infinite Campus, Google Suite, and Edgenuity Platform
• Positive public relation skills, professionalism, strong work ethic, ability to develop positive relationships with school and community
• Ability to analyze and use multiple data sources to make sound decisions
• Knowledge of and willingness to uphold ethical and professional school counseling standards
• Knowledge of high school credit monitoring and high school scheduling towards on time graduation
• Knowledge of career assessments and career counseling
• Ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues and actively participate in professional learning communities
• Demonstrated ability to work with needs of all student populations including, but not limited to, ELL, ESS, GT, and 504’s
• Ability to be flexible
• Knowledge of graduation requirements and college entrance requirements
• Ability to interpret test information and data
• Ability to demonstrate communication skills with students, parents, and teachers to enhance the educational, personal, and social aspect of each student
• Strong commitment to system change and strong evidence of being a "team player"
• Master scheduling knowledge and/or willingness to learn
• Ability to facilitate effective online instruction to K-12 students in SEL content
• Ability to use technology and incorporate/teach 21st century skills
• Knowledge of ICAP development (6th – 12th grade students only)
• Ability to write specific learning goals, objectives and outcomes
• Knowledge and understanding of American School Counselor Association Competencies and ASCA model

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following statements of duties and responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level or work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of all personnel within this position. This organization believes that every individual makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited to assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to define primary duties, qualifications and job scope but should not limit the incumbent nor the organization to the work identified. It is our expectation that every employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the District’s/department’s goals. Actual duties, responsibilities, frequency, and percentages may vary depending upon building assignments and other factors. The major function of the school counselor is to uphold Pueblo City Schools Mission, Vision, and Core Values in all interactions with students, school staff, administration, parents, and community members.
Provide comprehensive school counseling program

• Use majority of time providing direct services through school counseling curriculum, individual student planning, and preventative and responsive services. Remaining time is dedicated to program management, system support, and accountability
• Facilitate communication between student, parent, and staff
• Maintain current and appropriate resources for education stakeholders
• Communicate the goals of the comprehensive online school counseling program to education stakeholders
• Implement developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented activities to meet student needs and school goals

Provide individual student planning

• Communicate with school and community resources as an advocate for students
• Accurately and appropriately interpret and utilize student data
• Design and participate in orientation activities, especially at the transition levels, and for student transferring into the District
• Assist all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic, career, and personal/social skills, goals and plans; including high school credit monitoring

Preventative and Responsive Services and Instruction

• Accurately and appropriately use assessment procedures to determine and structure individual and group counseling sessions
• Implement an effective referral and follow-up process
• Consult and collaborate effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and other educational/community resources regarding students with identified concerns and/or needs
• Teach online SEL courses to K-12 students
• Provide individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs

System Support

• Adhere to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession
• Use technology to deliver the school counseling program
• Provide appropriate information to staff related to the comprehensive school counseling program
• Assist teachers, parents/guardians, and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding student data
• Participate in professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills

Accountability

• Support development of ICAP (6-12)
• Monitor student academic performance, behavior, and attendance and assist with appropriate interventions
• Measure results of the school counseling program and share results as appropriate
• Make students aware of career/job opportunities, their characteristics, their requirements, and necessary career planning
• Assist students/parents in achieving financial assistance for career/educational opportunities (HS Only)
• Demonstrate an awareness of curriculum offerings sufficient to assist students in attaining graduation requirements
• Assess and build student schedules and provide appropriate guidance to insure the attainment of individual student goals, needs, and graduation requirements
• Assist students to develop habits, attitudes, and skills for successful job acquisition and job retention
• Collect and analyze data to guide school counseling program direction and emphasis; including credit monitoring
• Assist in the forecasting and registration process (secondary schools only)

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by Building Administrators

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel. The work requires the use of telephone and using fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The employee is continually hearing and speaking to exchange information. The employee is required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
In an 8-hour workday, this job requires:
R – Rarely (Less than .5 hrs. per day) O – Occasionally (.5 – 2.5 hrs. per day)
F – Frequently (2.5 – 5.5 hrs. per day) C – Continually (5.5-8 hrs. per day)
NA – Not Applicable

WORKING CONDITIONS: Employee will work primarily in a school/office environment with both natural and fluorescent lighting; fast-paced work; constant interruptions; contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals; daily work schedules will vary depending on student and school needs.
Instructions for Applying:
All applicants interested in and qualified for the posted position must submit an online application. Applications that are incomplete and/or not submitted will not be forwarded to the hiring administrator for review. The following will need to be uploaded with the application: current cover letter for the posted position; current resume; copy of current teaching license; copy of transcripts conferring required degree; copy of Place/Praxis test and any other materials requested on the application to verify that individuals are eligible for a Colorado License from the Colorado Department of Education.
Please note: If hired, a new hire packet will be emailed and must be completed prior to processing. Fingerprints will be required for all employees of Pueblo School District 60 prior to your processing date.