School Counselor

Location:Challenger Middle SchoolRecruiting Start Date:09/29/2025Estimated Start Date:10/06/2025A licensed School Counselor who adheres to the American School Counseling Association Model (ASCA) and is committed to designing and implementing a comprehensive counseling program. Will provide social/emotional support, implement college and career readiness, and guide academic planning for students. A strong understanding of the Career Cluster Model and the ability to facilitate meaningful career conversations focused on postsecondary development is essential. The counselor will advocate for students' needs, offering instruction that promotes mental health awareness, academic growth, and career success. They will maintain high ethical and legal standards while working to enhance the counseling program to foster positive mindsets and behaviors in all students. Collaboration with school staff, parents, and the broader community is crucial, ensuring the development of a holistic approach to counseling. Additionally, the counselor will demonstrate cultural awareness and work effectively with external agencies to support students' diverse needs.The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and other key duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by the incumbents in various locations. The district reserves the right to modify or change the duties or the essential functions of this job at any time.Reports consistently for work as scheduledPerforms other duties as assignedAttains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance StandardsAligns the school counseling program with the School Unified Improvement PlanApplies knowledge of the ways in which learning takes place, including the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of their studentsComplies with applicable state and federal laws, district administrative policies, procedures, practices, and location requirementsDemonstrates a strong understanding of the Career Cluster Model and the ability to facilitate meaningful career conversations focused on postsecondary developmentDemonstrates high standards for ethical and professional conduct Demonstrates knowledge of effective services that reduce barriers to and support learningDemonstrates knowledge of their professions and integrate evidence-based practices and research findings into their services Demonstrates leadership and advocacy in the school, the community and their professionDemonstrates mastery of and expertise in school counselingDevelops and implements services related to student needs, learning, and progress towards goalsEngages students as individuals with diverse needs and interests, across a range of ability levels by adapting services for the benefit of studentsEnsures that students are supervised at all timesEstablishes and communicates high expectations and use strategies to support the development of critical thinking, problem-solving skills and self-advocacyFollows established policies and procedures regarding the health, safety, welfare, and education of studentsFosters a safe, accessible, and predictable learning environment characterized by acceptable student behavior and efficient use of time in which each student has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults and peersIntegrates and utilizes appropriate available technology to engage students in authentic learning experiencesLeads counseling small group counseling and classroom lessonsLinks professional growth to professional goals Maintains accurate recordsModels and promotes effective communicationModels appropriate conduct at all timesPrepares students for graduation and post-secondary readiness through the creation, alignment, and monitoring of student schedulesProvides information to students and guardians regarding academic programs, post-secondary opportunities and community resourcesProvides services aligned with state and federal laws, local policies and procedures, Colorado Academic Standards, the organized plan of instruction, and the individual needs of studentsResponds as directed and as necessary in safety and/or crisis situationsResponds to a complex, dynamic environment Serves on building teams to include the crisis response team, MTSS team, and others as assignedServes on the risk assessment team and conducts suicide assessmentsSupervises volunteers and paraprofessionals where applicableUnderstands and responds to diversity within the home, school, and communityUses effective conflict resolutionUses and integrates technology to support professional responsibilities, instruction, data interpretation, and student learningUses feedback and reflects about professional practice to improve teaching and learningUtilizes formal and informal assessments to inform planning and service deliveryWorks collaboratively with the families and/or significant adults for the benefit of studentsWorks with school counseling advocacy guidelines while informing all stakeholders of the school counselor roleKnowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesAbility to communicate effectively verbally and in writingAbility to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systemsAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds and professions including supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the general public Ability to follow oral and written instructionsAbility to greet and interact with the public in a courteous and professional mannerAbility to maintain confidentiality Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities Ability to use technology to improve instruction and learning, and to interpret test dataAbility to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position responsibilities Ability to work independently without direct supervisionAdheres to a comprehensive school counseling programCommitment to the education of students as a primary responsibilityCommunicates effectively with students and adults in a wide variety of settingsComputer proficiency including office productivity applicationsDemonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness Demonstrates effective organizational and time management skillsDetail-oriented Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skillsGrade level, content/subject area, and inquiry-based skillsKnowledge of the American School Counseling Association Model Knowledge of Career Cluster ModelKnowledge of Career Technical EducationKnowledge of concurrent enrollmentKnowledge of Individual Career and Academic Planning (ICAP)Knowledge of Multi-Tier Systems of SupportsKnowledge of Section 504 plansKnowledge of and experience with how technology integration supports learningKnowledge of Colorado Academic Standards, curriculum, standards-based instruction, assessment, and differentiationKnowledge of effective classroom and positive behavior managementKnowledge of Special Education, other educational programming, and associated legal requirements as related to the needs of the students assigned to the teacherKnowledge of the academic, emotional, physical, and social development of studentsPromotes a positive climate, culture, and communityStrong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skillsStudent-centered and relationship-focusedUnderstanding of data privacy laws and their implications for the educational communityWillingness to participate in ongoing training as requiredWork Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a staff member typically encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive.The noise level in the work environment may alternate among quiet, moderate, and loud. The incumbent is frequently required to interact in person and through communication methods with the students, public, and/or other staff.The incumbent is required to work scheduled school/work hours and/or days.The incumbent may be required to work extended school/work hours and/or days as directed.The incumbent operates primarily independently and frequently with others in a professional school environment indoors regularly and outdoors occasionally. The incumbent routinely uses standard classroom and office equipment. The incumbent is directly responsible to provide for the health, safety, and welfare and education of students, ensuring students are under supervision at all times.Physical Demands: The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. All physical demands, if listed, are considered essential functions.Sits, stands, walks, stoops, kneels, and crouches/squats while performing dutiesHas oral and auditory capacity enabling interaction interpersonally and/or through communication devicesUses eyes, hands, and finger coordination enabling the use of equipment and writing utensilsThe job is very active and regularly requires periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing while on duty. While performing the duties of this job, the school counselor is regularly required to talk and hear. Typical demands require staff to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, and may be higher for some assignments depending on position and student need; climb stairs, ladders, and/or stools; reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer keyboards; feel the shape, size and temperature of objects; and physically restrain students when necessary.The incumbent frequently is required to use hands and fingers, handle or feel; and to reach with hands and arms. The position requires the ability to speak and to be understood, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors.Cognitive Functions: The following are some of the cognitive functions commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. The staff member may be required to analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct, negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills.Required Qualifications:Meets subject, grade level, and/or content area qualifications consistent with Colorado Department of Education and Academy District 20 requirements - Academy District 20, Special Services Provider License: Initial - Colorado Department of Education, Special Services Provider License: Professional - Colorado Department of EducationPreferred Qualifications:Compensation Range: $52,020.00-$83,163.00(Based on education and experience at 100% FTE)Scheduled Weekly Hours:37.5Hours per Day:7.5 hour(s) per dayNumber of Days per Year:183 Days M-FBenefits Eligibility:Full-time - RegularFor more information on our benefits, please visit .FLSA Status:United States of America (Exempt)How to Apply:New applicants (including current district staff members) must use the Workday application portal. Documents emailed directly to a supervisor will not be considered for application purposes and will not receive a response. A completed online application also includes the following uploaded documents in PDF format:A current resumeComplete undergraduate and graduate transcripts (in color, readable, and reflecting official status where applicable)Applicable Colorado License or evidence of eligibility as indicated in the job posting ("Evidence of Eligibility" means license application with CDE is in process)(optional) Three current letters of recommendation (ie: within the last 2-3 years)Please do not call to request site visits or interviews at the school/location. Please direct all inquiries via the email address indicated on the posting.Hiring Manager Email:brian.thompson@asd20.org