1.0 FTE High School Special Education Teacher

Counselor

Education Level and Certification: Bachelor’s degree or higher required. Must possess  a Nebraska Teaching Certificate at all times during employment with such endorsements  as required by NDE Rules 10 and 24. 

Performance Responsibilities

1. Provide individual student counseling and group educational and vocational guidance services as assigned and perform related duties as set forth under Job Tasks.
2. Provide for the reasonable care and safety of students under the Counselor’s supervision.
3. Supervise students in out-of-classroom activities as assigned.
4. Provide care for students, including reporting suspected child abuse or neglect to supervisor and provide medication administration as assigned.
5. Participate in faculty committees and the sponsorship of activities as assigned.
6. Develop and maintain a positive rapport with students and parents.
7. Develop and maintain a positive and professional working relationship with other staff and administration.
8. Provide for proper care, maintenance and reasonable security of all District property in the Counselor’s custody.
9. Utilize instructional materials and other resources in a competent and effective manner, including computer, e-mail, and other technology to perform assigned duties.
10. Adhere to all district policies, rules, regulations, and supervisor directives.
11. Maintain confidentiality of information concerning staff, students, and parents in accordance with law and District rules.
12. Adhere to the code of ethics of the District and Nebraska Department of Education (NDE Rule 27). The Counselor must serve as a positive role model for staff and students.
13. Perform other tasks or duties as assigned by the Board or the Superintendent.

Job Tasks

1. Counsel students regarding educational issues such as course and program
selection, class scheduling, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career
planning.
2. Counsel students to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or
behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
3. Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district
policies, and administrative regulations.
4. Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, other counselors, and administrators to
resolve students’ behavioral, academic, and other problems. Utilize resources to
effectively communicate with others with different communication abilities (e.g.
non-English speaking, hearing impaired).
5. Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
6. Identify cases involving domestic abuse or other family problems affecting
students’ development.
7. Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children’s progress, and to
determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs.
8. Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore
learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
9. Encourage students and/or parents to seek additional assistance from mental
health professionals when necessary.
10. Observe and evaluate students’ performance, behavior, social development, and
physical health.
11. Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
12. Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students’ needs and progress.
13. Provide students with information on such topics as college degree programs and
admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools,
and apprenticeship programs.
14. Evaluate students’ abilities, interests, and personality characteristics using tests,
records, interviews, and professional sources.
15. Collaborate with teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and
revision of school programs.
16. Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to
education and career planning.
17. Establish and enforce behavioral rules and procedures to maintain order among
students.
18. Conduct follow-up interviews with student counselees to determine if their needs
have been met.
19. Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training
workshops, in order to maintain and improve professional competence.
20. Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
21. Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the
adjustment of students to new life experiences such as starting college.
22. Assess needs for assistance such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional
vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
23. Instruct students in career development techniques such as job search and
application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
24. Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available
counseling services.
25. Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required.
26. Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist
counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.
27. Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students
or graduates identify and pursue employment opportunities.
28. Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students
identify and pursue employment opportunities.
29. Review transcripts and communicate with students and parents or guardians to
ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write
letters of recommendation.
30. Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs, anti-
bullying programs, and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without
resorting to violence.
31. Establish and supervise peer counseling and peer tutoring programs.
32. Plan and promote career and employment-related programs such as work-
experience programs.
33. Sponsor extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, student organizations, and
academic contests.

Working Conditions

1. Inside; some offices, classrooms and areas are not air conditioned.

2. Outside for activities and student supervision.

FLSA Status: Exempt.

Professional exemption: The employee has a primary duty of

performing work requiring knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or

learning customarily acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual

instruction and study or has a primary duty of teaching, tutoring, instructing, or lecturing

in the activity of imparting knowledge and is employed and engaged in this activity as a

teacher.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions of the Counselor position include: (1)

regular, dependable attendance on the job; (2) the ability to perform the identified tasks

and to possess and utilize the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the

identified work activities; and, (3) the ability to perform