Durango Big Picture High School is looking for a School Counselor and Learning Through Internship Coordinator (LTIC). This position has two roles and requirements include a Colorado license in School Counseling and willingness to work with students, staff, and community members to continue development of Durango Big Picture High School's internship program. Candidates must be interested in working at an alternative high school with at-risk youth. Preference will be given to candidates with high school experience and those will experience working with at-risk youth.

Job Title: High School Counselor              Pay Grade: Licensed Salary Schedule

Department: School                              FLSA: Exempt

Typical Work Year: 10 Months               Prepared Date: February 2, 2016

SUMMARY: Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, the school counselor works in conjunction with the academic advisor to promote student success, provide proactive/preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by coordinating and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses the academic, career, and personal/social development for all students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The frequency and percentage of time of duties may vary based on building or department assignment.

Development and Management of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

• Discusses the comprehensive school counseling program with the school administrator and completes a yearly management agreement with the school administrator. Data guides the development of the yearly management agreement.  Work schedule is set yearly with the master agreement.
• Communicates the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program and the resources available to students and families through the use of newsletters, calendars, website, etc.

Delivery of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program – Guidance Curriculum, Individual Student Planning, Proactive/Preventive and Responsive Services, System Support

• Provides leadership and collaborates with other educators to integrate and deliver the school-wide social/emotional program.
• Provide training and applicable materials and resources to teachers to ensure teachers are prepared to deliver lessons to support the social/emotional program for the school.
• Advocate for students at individual education plan meetings, 504 meetings, ALP meetings.
• Serve as the case manager for 504’s and ALP’s.
• Collaborates with the student academic advisor to ensure all students are appropriately scheduled.
• Collaborates with the teaching faculty and the academic advisors to monitor student attendance and grades.
• Provide responsive services.
• Collaborates with school district and community partners to address social/emotional needs -- assigns district and BOCES services and makes referrals as needed.
• Implements an effective referral and follow-up process.
• Provide individual and small group counseling to students with identified social/emotional needs and concerns.
• Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services.

Accountability for a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

• Conducts a yearly program audit to review extent of program implementation.
• Collects and analyzes data to guide program direction and emphasis
• Measures results of the school program activities and shares results.

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS: 

• Assure the safety and welfare of students including necessary actions to insure that students are supervised at all times. 
• Demonstrate faithfulness and promptness in attendance at work.
• Submit required reports promptly at the times specified.
• Demonstrate care of and protection of School District property.
• Report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law.
• Use the District’s internet and E-mail system as specified in Policy.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent or their designees.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Minimum: Master’s degree in related subject from accredited university. 

EXPERIENCE: Experience is preferred but may not be necessary for hiring.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: Colorado Special Services Provider - Counselor License preferred; other special services provider licenses considered.  Pass the Colorado state approved content exam.  Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) required within two months of hire.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & ABILITIES: 

• Communicate effectively in written and oral form using positive interpersonal skills with diverse populations and cultures
• Consultation skills
• Experience in use of technology in research, school counseling program development, management, and delivery
• Ability to establish professional relationships within the school and school community to enhance student achievement
• Ability to develop and support school-wide positive behavior support systems and develop individual behavior support plans.
• Ability to use effective social/emotional strategies and techniques for at risk learners
• Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis
• Knowledge of developmental, emotional, and behavioral disabilities
• Experience in data collection and data analysis
• Ability to develop and provide training related to effective instructional practices and behavioral intervention practices in all school settings.
• Non-violent and physical intervention techniques
• Ability to use proper English grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
• Knowledge of first aid skills
• Ability to promote and follow Board of Education and District Policies, Superintendent policies, and building/department procedures.

Durango School District 9-R is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Laura Galido, Compliance Officer, Durango School District 9-R, 201 E 12th Street, Durango, CO 81301, (970) 247-5411, lgalido@durango.k12.co.us, or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Spear Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, (303)844-5695.