Special Education Counselor

Job Title:                    Special Education Counselor             Wage/Hour Status:    Exempt         
 
Reports to:                 Special Services Director                   Pay Grade:                 AP 3/ 187 Days
 
Dept./School:             Special Services                                 Date Revised:            June 30, 2025

 
Primary Purpose:
Plan and provide counseling services to students with special education counseling as a related service as determined by the Admissions, Review, and Dismissal Committee.  Services may include evaluation crisis intervention, short-term individual counseling, group counseling, or other direct or indirect services to students and families.
 
Qualifications:
 
Education/Certification:

• Master’s degree
• Licensed Professional Counselor state licensure or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of counseling procedures and assessments
• Knowledge of mental health and psycho-social development
• Knowledge of human behavior
• Ability to help students manage their behavior, emotions, anxieties
• Ability to keep technical and professional records and to make appropriate reports and recommendations
• Strong consultation skills for conferencing with parents, teachers, and students
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

 
Experience:

• Three years of teaching experience or counseling experience with students ages 3-22

 
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
 
Preparation and Planning

1. Provide schedule to campus staff and inform them of changes in the schedule
2. Maintain appropriate, data driven professional records
3. Use time effectively and perform required campus responsibilities on time
4. Submit lists, forms and data requested by Special Education office by when due

 
Standard for Behavior / Professional Conduct

5. Follow ethical guidelines of licensing entity when providing counseling services to a variety of students in different environments
6. Follow the policies and procedures outlined by TEA for the provision of Special Education counseling services
7. Conduct self in a professional manner to resolve conflicts that may be perceived to occur between TEA policies, local guidelines and the ethical guidelines for Special Education Counselor
8. Protect the student’s right of confidentiality and limit information to other professionals working with the student Follow policies and procedures in the District’s Employee Handbook

 
Comprehensive Evaluation Process

9. Conduct counseling evaluations in a thorough and timely manner, accessing relevant sources of information and providing for optimal student performance
10. Prepare thorough and understandable evaluation reports and counseling IEPs
11. Orally communicate results of evaluation to ARD/IEP Committee members in an effective manner, including provision of suggestions for students who do not qualify for special services

 
Consultation with Professionals

12. Consult other professionals prior to ARD/IEP meeting concerning the student’s goals and objectives, and amount and method of delivery of services, including outside agencies when necessary
13. Support General Education counselors with students that have severe educational / emotional / behavioral needs
14. Make recommendations concerning intervention strategies to enhance student success in the school setting
15. Provide consultation to teachers, administrators and school staff concerning academic / emotional / behavioral needs of student

 
Professional Growth and Development

16. Attend team meetings and take responsibility within the group
17. Attend staff development and professional continuing education trainings to improve counseling skills.
18. Be willing to share new knowledge gained from conferences and one’s area of expertise

 
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
 
Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
 
Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer, printer, calculator, copier, shredder, phone and fax machine
 
Posture: Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
 
Motion: Frequent walking 
 
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Maintain emotional control under stress and work with multiple deadlines and frequent interruptions.  Frequent and prolonged hours and/or irregular hours.  Frequent travel to multiple work locations as assigned.
 
Other:  Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures; Other duties as assigned
 
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. The Administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.
 
Employee: ___________________________________________________________________  
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