QUALIFICATIONS:

• Holds a South Dakota certification as a K-12 school counselor
• Submits to and passes a background check.
• Experience working with middle school students preferred.
• Strong knowledge of social-emotional learning frameworks and practices.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations and foster a positive learning environment.
• Requirements for the above qualifications that the board may find appropriate and acceptable.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

• Support students' social, emotional, and academic development.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Social-Emotional Learning:

• Develop and implement engaging SEL lessons in collaboration with teachers.
• Create a safe and inclusive classroom environment to encourage student participation.
• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of SEL initiatives and adjust as necessary.

• Individual Counseling:

• Meet with students one-on-one to address academic, social, and emotional concerns.
• Provide crisis intervention and support for students facing personal challenges.
• Collaborate with parents, teachers, and external agencies to create individualized support plans.

• Teacher Training and Support:

• Serve as the lead counselor for Smarter Balanced testing preparation.
• Develop and deliver training sessions for teachers on testing protocols and strategies.
• Provide ongoing support and resources for teachers to enhance student testing performance.

• Collaboration and Advocacy:

• Work closely with school administration and staff to promote a positive school culture.
• Advocate student needs and ensure equitable access to resources and support services.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in school counseling.

• Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate records of counseling sessions and student progress.
• Prepare reports and data analysis to support school-wide initiatives and improvement plans.