An Academic or Guidance Counselor provides guidance to students in elementary, middle and high schools to help them succeed academically and socially. Works with school teachers and administrators to address problems that affect student performance, and identifies resources for students and families. Helps high school students to plan academic course work and advises on the college search and application process.
School Counselor Imagine Desert West Elementary - 3.4 Phoenix, AZ Job Details Full-time 21 hours ago Qualifications Bilingual School experience Teamwork Program development Master's degree Working with students Mandated reporting laws School Counseling Certification Full Job Description SUMMARY The School Counselor serves as a key member of the Imagine Schools student support and school safety team and is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment for all students.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Build trusting relationships with students Communicate effectively with families and staff Provide developmentally appropriate counseling Facilitate individual and small-group counseling Analyze student data Develop and monitor interventions Respond appropriately to crisis situations Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams Make appropriate referrals Maintain accurate documentation Deliver effective prevention programming Maintain professional boundaries Work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse students and families
CERTIFICATIONS
Valid Arizona School Counselor Certificate issued by the Arizona Department of Education
POSITION SUMMARY
The School Counselor provides developmentally appropriate academic, personal, social-emotional, behavioral, and career support; delivers prevention and intervention services; identifies students requiring additional support; collaborates with school personnel and families; connects students and families with community resources; and participates in school safety, crisis response, and continuous improvement efforts. The position will be implemented in alignment with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) School Safety Program, A.R.S. § 15-154, Imagine Schools policies and procedures, applicable Arizona law, and recognized professional standards for school counseling. The School Counselor will use school and student data to identify needs, prioritize interventions, monitor student progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of the counseling program.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program; collaborate on school safety and prevention; provide Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 student supports; serve as an active member of MTSS/student support process; participate in crisis response and student risk procedures; serve on the School Safety Program Team (SSPT); use data, documentation, and program evaluation processes; support family engagement; maintain community partnerships and referrals; collaborate on staff learning; and advocate for students.
ADE SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES
Maintain a valid Arizona school counselor certificate; complete required ADE School Safety Program training and documentation; participate in SSPT and safety needs assessment; support SSP Continuous Improvement Plan implementation; complete required SSP Counselor Activity Log daily; participate in ADE program evaluation and professional learning; maintain grant compliance documentation; and cooperate with ADE monitoring requirements.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Master's degree in school counseling, counseling, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
Certification:
Valid Arizona School Counselor Certificate issued by the Arizona Department of Education, as required by the ADE School Safety Program. Preferred experience includes school counseling, student support, MTSS/RTI, crisis intervention, social-emotional learning, behavioral intervention, school safety, risk assessment, community resource coordination, and individual/small-group counseling.
KNOWLEDGE
Comprehensive school counseling programs; child and adolescent development; social-emotional development; trauma-informed practices; crisis intervention; suicide/self-harm prevention; bullying prevention; threat assessment/ risk assessment processes; MTSS; school safety practices; student confidentiality; mandatory reporting; community mental-health resources; data-informed decision-making.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working in a K-8 public school or charter school; experience implementing an ASCA-aligned counseling program; experience with MTSS; training in suicide prevention and risk assessment; training in trauma-informed practices; experience with school safety planning; experience working with community behavioral-health agencies; experience using student data systems to monitor interventions; bilingual or multilingual skills appropriate to the school's community.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Evaluated based on effectiveness, quality, and compliance of counseling and school safety program, including student support outcomes, prevention implementation, collaboration, data use, ADE compliance, and school safety contributions.
ANNUAL GOALS
Establish annual goals with the principal based on school needs assessment and SSP Continuous Improvement Plan, including measurable outcomes in student mental health and wellness, school safety and prevention, attendance/engagement, behavioral or social-emotional supports, MTSS intervention effectiveness, family and community partnerships, and ADE SSP compliance.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Works primarily in a school environment; interacts regularly with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community partners; may require responding to crisis situations; must maintain composure and professional judgment in high-stress situations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
May be required to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout campus; communicate effectively; respond to emergencies; participate in meetings and activities; access classrooms and campus areas; and use standard office and technology equipment.
