Counselor (OHS)

Reports to: Building Administrator

Union: OEA

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The school counselor provides services to students, which include school program and career planning; individual and group counseling, needs assessments for determining appropriate modes of service and short term crisis intervention. The counselor also disseminates appropriate information to students, staff and parents, and assists in articulation with the middle school, high school and/or with post-high school institutions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Kindle excitement about learning in students, encouraging flexible and critical thinking and development of communication skills.
• Assess the needs of the students as appropriate and assist with the provision of a suitable learning environment to meet their needs.
• Evaluate each pupil’s educational growth and development and make periodic reports to parents or guardians as well as to the designated school administrator
• Conduct effective classroom presentations to students (9-12)
• Assist in program planning for individual and school schedules; evaluate and monitor transcripts; assist in registering students
• Remain current on state graduation requirements and track student progress
• Provide individual and group counseling and guidance, including academic, social/emotional, and career
• Provide counseling, consultative and referral services for identified and suspected handicapped students
• Provide topic-focused group counseling, including suicide prevention, divorce issues, anger management and development of communication skills as needed
• Plan and conduct parent informational meetings and brief crisis counseling, as needed.
• Participate in school guidance team and serve on building and district committees as needed
• Provide referral services to students, parents and staff as appropriate and in accordance with federal law, state guidelines, and District Regulations
• Conduct faculty in-service training in appropriate areas such as 504, McKinney-Vento, and CPS notification
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Consult with teachers on individual students including developmental stages of youth, academic and social/emotional intervention strategies, and physical needs
• Work with other school counselors and/or post high school institutions in the articulation of student learning programs
• Work with middle school counselors in transition of in-coming 8th grade students (i.e. records, placement recommendations, and at-risk students).
• Maintain safe and healthy conditions in the learning environment and report promptly to principal any serious accident or illness affecting students.
• Collect, maintain and disseminate information as necessary and appropriate
• Maintains complex and confidential electronic and physical files and records for individual and department use, for the purpose of providing up-to-date reference, and in compliance with records retention guidelines
• Demonstrate and maintain positive working relationships with staff, parents, community, businesses and organizations, national/local counseling professional associations.
• Attends staff and other professional meetings as may be assigned or necessary
• Use technology for communication, presentations, trainings, workload management, and workshops
• Participate in district counseling activities and commit to continued professional development
• Provide regular program evaluative feedback with suggested plans for amelioration of any targeted areas of concern to the building administrator, Director and other stakeholders as appropriate or as directed
• Work cooperatively with a building team in planning, supporting and providing instruction, and share with other the responsibility for supervision of activites and student behavior outside the regular classroom.
• Possess knowledge of and adhere to Governing Policies and District Regulations and Procedures.
• Participate in special projects as assigned and perform related duties and key responsibilities consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Physically able to occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. 
2. Physical ability to walk, stand, stoop, bend, crawl, lift, reach, pull and climb as required to satisfactory perform required duties.
3. Ability to focus (adjust eye to bring an object into sharp focus), clear vision at twenty (20) inches or less, and clear vision at twenty (20) feet or more.
4. Must be able to work safely varying hot and cold (weather) environments.
5. Frequent standing, walking, lifting and bending.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Master's Degree or Doctorate in school counseling from an accredited university or college.

EXPERIENCE: Academic background and coursework in the discipline of the position to be filled.  Successful teaching experience and effective work with elementary school age students  preferred.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES: Valid Washington State ESA Certificate in Counseling with appropriate endorsement. Must maintain as current any certification or license listed herein and held at hire date. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING: Valid Washington State ESA certificate with relevant endorsement required. Must maintain as current any certification or license listed herein and held at hire date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Starting Date: 2024-2025 School Year (180 total contracted days + plus 12 Extra Days)
Salary: $58,504 - $112,773 annual salary. Based on education and experience Per OEA CBA - 2023-2024 Salary Schedule 
Retirement: Pension through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems

Benefits: Follow this link which will include all available benefits for this position

Othello School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator: Sandra Villarreal, (509) 488-2659, svillarreal@othelloschools.org; and Section 504 Coordinator: Heidi Wagner, (509) 488-2659, hwagner@othelloschools.org. Address: 1025 South 1st Avenue, Othello, WA 99344.

El Distrito Escolar Othello no discrimina en ningún programa o actividad por motivos de sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, nacionalidad, edad, estado veterano o militar, orientación sexual, expresión o identidad de género, discapacidad o el uso de un guía para perros entrenado o animal de servicio y proporciona acceso igualitario a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos de jóvenes designados. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para manejar preguntas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Coordinadora de Derechos Civiles y Coordinadora del Título IX: Sandra Villarreal, (509) 488-2659, svillarreal@othelloschools.org; y Coordinadora de la Sección 504: Heidi Wagner, (509) 488-2659, hwagner@othelloschools.org. Dirección: 1025 South 1st Avenue, Othello, WA 99344.