School Counselor

• Guidance Counselor Duties and Responsibilities

1. Implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program that functions within the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework:
2. Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals.
3. Serves as an advocate for students' social and emotional needs in the school setting. 
4. Supports the implementation of schoolwide Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. 
5. Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services.
6. Provides social emotional support to students during mandated testing. 
7. Provides group and individual counseling to students in need.
8. Provides peer conflict resolution services to students in need.
9. Assists in completion of threat assessments and serve as a member of the threat assessment team.
10. Attends and participates in Student Assistance Team (SAT) meetings, as a resource for information and referrals to additional services.
11. Assists in completion of Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans.
12. Supports students through crises and works with families to determine the next level of support.
13. Coordinate Child Find intake process for preschool students. 

1. Connect students and their families to resources that will support the student's social, emotional, and academic growth in the school setting.
2. Serves as liaison for students in need of additional resources and/or that have received community donations, including but not limited to those related to homelessness, food insecurity, holiday meals, holiday gifts, winter clothes, and school supplies.
3. Maintains communication with families in need of access to food distribution services and assists with distribution of these resources.
4. Refers students to social service and governmental agencies, support groups, and other community agencies as appropriate.
5. Maintains current knowledge of community resources.
6. Assists in the identification of students with special needs and make referrals for testing when a disability is suspected.

1. Serve as a resource to staff regarding social, emotional, and behavioral issues of students in the school setting.
2. Provides training to school staff regarding topics of social emotional well-being, mental health, suicide prevention, and related policies/procedures.
3. Provides consultation to school staff regarding social, emotional, and behavioral issues occurring in the school setting.
4. Supports administration in implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
5. Supports administration in implementation of restorative justice practices.

1. Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information regarding students, parents, and staff.
2. Maintains and executes the role as a mandatory reporter as required by law.
3. Maintains accurate and complete documentation of services provided in the Student Information System and in accordance with Medicaid School Based Services standards, when applicable.

• Education and Experience

Required

1. Hold a department-issued license for at least one of the following:
2. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
3. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
4. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
5. License Master Social Worker (LMSW)
6. Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
7. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
8. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT);
9. national certified school counselor credential issued by the national board for certified counselors.
10. Have or eligible for at least one of the following New Mexico PED licenses as required by the State of New Mexico
    1. School Social Worker
    2. School Counselor 
    3. School Behavioral Health Counselor
11. Be able to pass employment verification.
12. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.