2024-25 Counselor 6 - Desert Shadows MS

Counselor

Location: Desert Shadows Middle School

Temporary Position

FTE: .6

Dates: 3/27/2025 5/23/2025

Purpose Statement

Themiddle school counselor assists students in overcoming problems that impede learning and to assist students in making educational occupational and life plans. Middleschool counselors balance their counseling programs by addressing students academic career and social/emotional development in addition to balancing the delivery methods recognizing that students learn in multiple ways. The end result of this work is reflected in an improvement in academics attendance and discipline outcomes related to academic development college and career readiness and social/ emotional development.

This job reports to Site Administrator

Essential Functions

Provide individual counseling and group guidance to help students cope effectively with personal social academic career and family concerns.

Support the implementation of Social Emotional Learning instruction and practices.

Consult with parents teachers administrators and supporting agencies concerning the needs and abilities of students.

Advocate for students at individual education plan meetings student study teams and school attendance hearings as necessary.

Consulting with the school principal to identify and resolve student issues needs and problems.

Consult with teachers about building classroom connections effective classroom management and the role of noncognitive factors in student success.

Provide academic support including organizational study and testtaking skills goal setting and decisionmaking.

Assists students with developing an Educational/Career Action Plan for the purpose of supporting them in pursuing their middle school and high school goals when appropriate.

Provide student services to support conflict resolution bullying prevention and awareness and crisis intervention.

Supporting the overall districts educational program through general consultation activities and committee work.

Facilitate classroom counseling guidance programs.

Convey to parents and staff regarding specific student needs in academic and personal/social areas.

Provide students parents and staff with prevention and intervention programs behavior management effective decision making and goal setting.

Maintain records of counseling services and consulting contacts.

Assist in identification and evaluation of children with special needs.

Assist the staff and parents with the interpretation of evaluative data and other student records.

Cooperate with outside agencies and other Special Needs services within the district.

Adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards as outlined by ASCA.

Maintain accurate records for compliance with district federal and state guidelines.

Follow state law and district policy with cases involving child abuse and neglect.

Provide ongoing consultation and support to teachers and teams in the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention Plans for students experiencing difficulties.

Participate in the District Crisis Team if desired.

May be required to participate in student meetings which occur beyond the staffs work assignment schedule.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; preparing and maintaining accurate records; planning and managing projects; using pertinent software applications.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information write technical materials and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: stages of child development; age appropriate activities/behaviors; assessment instruments and techniques.

ABILITY is required to schedule a significant number of activities meetings and/or events; often gather collate and/or classify data; and use basic jobrelated equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing a variety of complex processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize specific jobrelated equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working with frequent interruptions.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading guiding and/or coordinating others; utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the jobs functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organizations services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: some lifting carrying pushing and/or pulling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 30 sitting 10 walking and 60 standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations.

Experience:

School Counseling experience is desired. Teaching experience preferred. Demonstrated success in mediation & relationship building.

Education:

Certified School Counselor or Licensed Counselor

Required Testing Certificates and Licenses

Arizona Department of Education Counseling Certificate

Continuing Educ./Training Clearances

Criminal Background Clearance

Valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

FLSA Status Exempt

Paradise Valley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion national origin age sex or disability in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the Schools compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504 Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) or Title II of the Genetic Information NonDiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.