MS Special Education Behavior Support Counselor (Fall 2026 start)

MS Special Education Behavior Support Counselor (Fall 2026 start) Tea Area School District Tea Area Middle School - Tea, South Dakota Job Details

Job ID:

5625106

Application Deadline:

Posted until filled

Posted:

Apr 03, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date:

Immediately Job Description

JOB TITLE

Middle School Special Education Counselor

JOB SUMMARY

Position is responsible for the development of a special education counseling program at the local school level; establishing effective rapport with students; assisting teachers in providing support for students who have behavioral and/or emotional needs in the classroom as well as in alternative settings and providing student instruction as needed; providing systematic and ongoing individual and group counseling services; analyzing data to identify root cause of behaviors; using creative and alternative strategies to plan, develop, implement, and track individual behavior plans; providing information, consultation, coordination, testing and referral services designed to meet the needs of students, parents and staff; implementing federal, state and local educational mandates; and establishing good relationships with parents and with other staff members.

EMPLOYEE CATEGORY

Certified

FLSA STATUS

?Exempt ?Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT HANDBOOK

Negotiated Agreement

WORK PERIOD

As defined in the Negotiated Agreement

REPORTS TO

Principal, Asst. Principal, Special Education Director

WORKS WITH

Administrators, certified staff, support staff, classified staff

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION LEVEL:

Minimum of Master's degree in counseling from an approved counselor preparation program.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION

Current, valid South Dakota certificate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to use phone and computer; see and read computer screen and printed material with or without visual aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors, and on phone; and, to bend, stoop, sit on floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead. May be required to meet sometimes strenuous physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform assigned duties including periodically lifting in excess of 50 pounds with assistance; control behavior through physical restraint; take appropriate action in emergency situations; and, follow procedures in a calm, responsible manner.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Usually works indoors in classroom environment. Teaching, student supervision, bus/recess duty, or field trips may be performed outdoors or away from school.

TEA AREA BEHAVIORS OF EXCELLENCE

Ability to embrace the organization's mission. Be responsible and follow through with important actions. Do the right thing even when no one is looking. Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy at all times. Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships. Work together in a supportive manner by being dependable, trustworthy and flexible. Take personal ownership to improve. Communicate with sincerity, honesty and respect. Maintain a high degree of professionalism.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversees the behavioral referral process and timeline. Observes students in their educational enviornment, analyzes existing data, conducts functional behavioral assessments, and works collaboratively with the educational team to develop interventions and behavior plans for providing a safe and effective educational environment for students with challenging behaviors. Develops student behavior plans with all required components for classroom behavior management implementation for the classroom teacher and any additional staff. Takes an active role in the implementation and follow through while working collaboratively with the classroom teacher to meet the student's program goals. Develops, accommodates, and differentiates to meet the instructional objective of the lesson in accordance with the behavior plan. Assists in professional development opportunities for district staff in classroom management techniques addressing behaviorally challenging students. Communicates effectively, verbally and in writing, with members of the IEP team, building administration, and staff. Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services. Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs. Assists students, individually or in groups, with developing academic and personal/social skills goals and plans. Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data for those students who are at risk socially or academically. Establishes relationships with parents to provide information and support for continued student success from initial contact through incident updates and progress updates via phone as well as email if applicable. Conducts monthly progress monitoring and reporting. Meets with administration and counselor to discuss student progress. Consults and collaborates effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and other educational/community resources regarding students with identified concerns and needs. Implements an effective referral and follow-up process. Assists in the development and monitoring Behavior Plans, and IEPs. Establishes, maintains, and monitors a variety of files and records pertaining to student counseling, guidance, and related matters. Participates as a member of the crisis team and provides immediate school-based crisis response. Serve as a resource for the school community, including referrals to outside agencies. Communicates regularly with parents or guardians to discuss and support student progress and/or needs. Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as requires by law, District policy, and administrative regulation. Continues personal professional growth and upgrading of skills including but not limited to certification requirements. Performs a variety of non-instructional duties, including curriculum and instructional development activities, student supervision, and advisory and consultation activities. Attends staff meetings, serves on staff committees, and accepts a share of responsibility for extracurricular activities/assignments. Performs health services, if needed, for which training will be provided. Completes all trainings and other compliance requirements as assigned by designated deadline. Works professionally with administration, staff, parents, and the community. Adheres to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession. Adheres to the standards outlined in the South Dakota Code of Ethics for Educators and the policies of the District. Respect and practice confidentiality both in and out of school with regard to records, activities, and communications relating to all students, parents/guardians, and staff. Perform other duties as assigned by Principal or other appropriate administrator.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required. These may be changed, added or deleted at any time with or without notice. Personnel may be required to perform duties outside the scope of their normal responsibilities if needed. The Tea Area School District reserves the right to revise this description at any time. The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

Position Type:

Full-Time

Salary:

$61,060 to $82,251 Per Year Job Requirements Citizenship, residency or work visa required