Primary Purpose:

Special education counselors work with special needs students in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, to ensure they have the support services they need to achieve academic progress in the areas of academics, personal and social growth.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Master’s Degree

Minimum of Texas Education Agency Counseling Certification

Licensed Professional Counselor preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Assessment:

• Possess the ability to competently administer the required counseling assessment instruments.

• Possesses the ability to competently and accurately organize and compose assessment results.

Consultation:

• Possesses the ability to maintain communication with all educational professionals.

• Possesses the ability to consult with parents about concerns for their children and to convey the need for assistance to the proper individuals.

Program Management:

• Possesses the ability to work through the ARD and prepare an individual educational plan.

• Possesses the ability to assist in the organization of ARD meetings and conferences and to share appropriate data with staff members.

Counseling:

• Possesses the ability to understand and interpret the school environment in order to implement a comprehensive program and make proper decisions pertaining to the counseling situation.

• Performs individual and group guidance with students as deemed appropriate by the ARD committee.

Guidance:

• Confers with teachers, parents, specialists and community agencies when appropriate on the educational, health, social, emotional and vocational problems of the student. 

• Obtains and interprets occupational and educational information for students and parents.

Communication:

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate with groups or individuals in an effective manner.

Professional:

• Observes professional ethics; works and co-operates with the entire staff; seeks, shares and respects ideas of others; refrains from revealing confidential information regarding pupils and their families.  Conversations regarding patrons and staff are confined to an ethical level.  

• Initiates activities to maintain professional competence such as staying abreast of current educational techniques, materials and methods.

• Exhibits a professional and positive attitude in all interactions with all people and matters involved in schools.

• Demonstrates interest in personal and professional growth by attending in-service meetings, workshops and conferences.

Administration:

• Supports established administrative policies and directives.

• Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulations.  

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Ability to interact with staff (at all levels) in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.