Elementary Student Services Specialist

Primary Purpose:Plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive district counseling program at district campuses.Counsel students to fully develop each student's academic, career, personal, and social abilities andaddress the needs of special population students. Select and plan for guidance curriculum in variousgroup size for all campuses. Educate students of skills necessary to address troublesomecircumstances, support students in challenging situations, and assist students with needed resourcesto navigate crisis situations.Qualifications:Education/Certification:Master's degree in counseling from an accredited college or universityValid Texas school counselor certificateSpecial Knowledge/Skills:Knowledge of counseling procedures, student appraisal, and career developmentExcellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skillsAbility to instruct students and manage their behaviorAbility to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students,parents or guardians, and district staffExperience:Five years creditable experience as a High School CounselorMajor Responsibilities and DutiesGuidance Curriculum1. Plan, organize, implement, and deliver structured group lessons according to the district's guidancecurriculum to improve students' interpersonal and intrapersonal effectiveness, personal health andsafety, post-secondary planning and readiness, and other developmental needs.2. Ensure the implementation of districtl guidance curriculum components through the use of effectiveinstructional strategies and planned structured groups considering diverse student populations andneeds for differentiated instruction.

District Counseling Administrator McDade ISD

© 4/3/2023 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All rights reserved.3. Work with students, staff, parents or guardians, and the community to identify priorities wherestudents will be served through the guidance curriculum component. Collaborate across curricularareas to integrate guidance lessons into content area curriculum.4. Create a balanced curriculum by using well-planned and intentional activities and materials,incorporating guest speakers, and offering engaging delivery techniques, including technology tools.Responsive Services5. Use accepted theories and effective techniques of developmental guidance to respond to problematicor critical incidents to support students and offer services in time of need.6. Use preventive activities to remove barriers that interfere with a student's educational, career,personal, and social development.7. Implement remediation practices to assist students in coping with problem situations or unwisechoices. Identify precipitating and antecedent factors, effective and ineffective approaches to dealingwith the circumstances, and provide feedback to guide future decisions.8. Use specialized skills to support students in crisis situations requiring immediate response. Maintain ahealthy and safe school environment by collaborating with district staff, parents or guardians, andlocal officials.9. Provide continued support to students in need through individual counseling, small group counseling,consultation, or referral to services outside the school or district.10. Serve as an impartial, non-reporting resource for interpersonal conflicts and discourse involving twoor more students, including accusations of bullying.Individual Planning11. Create school counseling services that are developmental and age appropriate and provideinformation or literature that highlights related topics to students, teachers, and administrators.12. Assist individual students and their parents or guardians in monitoring their academic, career,personal, and social development as they progress in school.13. Act as a student advocate, leader, collaborator, and systems change agent. Advocate for a schoolenvironment that acknowledges and respects diversity and ensures equitable access and placement incourses and programs for minority, disenfranchised, homeless, and other special populations.14. Interpret standardized test results, offer career development activities, provide strategies for gradelevel transitions, and guide students in individual goal setting and planning including creating andreviewing personal graduation plans and providing information about post-secondary opportunities.System Support15. Collect, summarize, and interpret testing data to plan, create interventions, guide students, andaddress specific student needs.16. Conduct an annual program audit to inform accountability, action plans, time management, andsystemic change.17. Participate in district and campus-based school improvement planning and goal setting.18. Will organize and lead the Student Health Advisory Committee for the District including needs from allcampuses.19. Provide parent or guardian and staff training and consultation to foster student educational, career,personal, and social development.20. Clearly articulate and communicate the counseling program's management system and relatedprogram action plans to campus and district staff, parents or guardians, and the community.21. Participate in staff development and continuing education opportunities to improve job-related skillsand research to identify best practices in implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.Other Related Duties22. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents.23. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and boardpolicy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.24. Adhere to legal, ethical, and professional standards for school counselors including currentprofessional standards of competence and practice.25. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.26. Will serve on District Safety and Security Team.27. Will oversee and develop training manuals, and schedules and provide oversight for any and all additionalcounselor positions added to McDade ISD.Supervisory Responsibilities:Supervise assigned counseling aide(s) and administrative assistant(s).Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipmentPosture:

Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, andtwistingMotion : Frequent walkingLifting:

Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); occasional physical restraint of students tocontrol behaviorEnvironment:

Work inside, may work outsideMental Demands : Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours