SPED School Counselor

SPED School Counselor JobID:

2059

Position Type:

School Service Specialist

Date Posted:

4/7/2026

Location:

Simmons Elementary School

Position Start Date:

2026-2027 school year

Closing Date:

Open until filled

Salary Range:

According to negotiated agreement

FTE:

1.00

REQUIREMENTS Education Level:

Master's degree in counseling from an approved school counselor preparation program. Valid South Dakota School Service Specialist Certificate with School Counselor Endorsement.

Experience Desired:

Previous counseling experience, preferably in a school setting.

Other Requirements:

Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong listening and problem-solving skills, skills in human relations, leadership and conflict management. Maintains professional appearance. Demonstrated ability to work courteously and cooperatively with people in a multi-person environment. Ability to work efficiently with a wide range of students, staff and administration. Demonstrated computer skills. Ability to handle stress and the ability to exercise self-control. React to change productively. Demonstrated ability to maintain privacy and confidentiality in dealing with individuals and/or their records. Willing to accept and support team decisions.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires constant eye-hand coordination. Intermittent speaking, standing, walking, sitting, crouching, reaching, pushing/pulling and writing. Periodic carrying of up to twenty five (25) pounds.

Clearances:

Employment is contingent upon a Criminal Justice Fingerprint/ground Clearance, paid for by the applicant.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

Support the philosophy and mission of the Aberdeen School District. Implement the approved district counseling program to assigned students. Ensure that all activities conform to district guidelines. Establish and maintain a positive counseling environment and respond to the individual needs of students. Set high expectations and standards for student achievement and behavior as appropriate to age and level of development. Take all reasonable and necessary precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities. Meet and instruct counseling classes in the location(s) and time(s) designated. Obtain advance approval of the Principal for expenditures and special activities. Attend staff meetings and serve on committees. Strive to maintain and improve professional competence by participating in district-initiated staff development. Maintain accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, school district policy and school administrative requirements. Use appropriate technology for both counseling and management functions. Respond to communications within the school district, (e-mail, voice mail, interoffice memos, postal mail) in a timely manner. Adhere to all district policies, handbooks, and regulations. Provide individual and small group counseling. Provide orientation of students to new situations. Meet as needed with interdisciplinary teams to discuss student needs and concerns. Recognize and address disabilities of students on a regular basis, seeking assistance of district specialists as required. Recognize signs of emotional/physical distress in students and take appropriate action when necessary. Consult with teachers, staff, parents and other significant people in the student's life. Meet at least weekly with assigned students to provide counseling related to school based issues, skill building needs and other personal issues that may impact the student's perceived stress or ability to succeed. Work with the team to determine counseling needs that may lie beyond the scope of the school counseling program and to assist the parents in locating counselors in the community. Help students process and problem solve and process emotional crises that may arise throughout the day. Develop a positive relationship with students so that they view the counselor as a resource in this area. Work with the IEP and classroom team to plan effective psych educational interventions to help the students succeed in life and at school. Work with the classroom teacher to see that risk situations are reported to administration and risk evaluators so that appropriate interventions are enacted and the student is supervised until an environment of safety is established. Will conduct risk assessments if counselor is a Qualified Mental Health Professional. Keep the clinical consultant assigned to each classroom aware of significant behavioral and emotional events in the lives of students as they arise. Provide social skill building and processing groups to students as part of the classroom designed plan for specific groups of students. Be a clinical resource to the teachers on effective interventions with students and provide on the spot consultation around effective ways to interact with students. Be aware of the Boys Town Skill Building Model and help staff implement this approach effectively in the classroom. Work with the clinical consultant and classroom teacher to provide a program of effective in-service. Assist students at the high school in identifying career interests and connect to resources that may aid them in obtaining career goals. Provide educational programs to parents to assist them in building effective skills. Assist parents and students in making positive contacts with community resources that may provide support, enrichment, and treatment for the student. Explore and keep aware of community resources that may assist students and parents succeeding in their roles. Monitor and schedule monthly comprehensive autism planning meetings for individuals on an IEP. Perform other duties as assigned by the Building Principal and Director of Special Education.