Leave Replacement Only- 08/26-12/18/2026

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Current Washington Educational Staff Associate School Counselor certificate

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with a comprehensive high school counseling program
• Demonstrates understanding of the American School Counselor Association framework for School Counseling Programs
• English/Spanish bilingual language skills

PRIMARY FUNCTION

The school counselor works with the building principal and district’s Student Support Services in carrying out the guidance and counseling program of Mount Vernon School District and in alignment with the American School Counselor Association National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs.

The counselor is responsible for assisting students in their academic, personal, and social development, as well as helping them navigate through any obstacles that may hinder their success. The counselor works closely with students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to create a positive and supportive learning environment. The counselor is culturally competent and a leader for equity and social justice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. The specific manner of performing the essential duties and responsibilities depends on grade level of the School Counselor assignment to be developmentally appropriate with the age group served.

Guidance Curriculum

• Delivers and implements effective instructional skills and careful planning of structured classroom lessons as needed and based on data. Provides direct services through the guidance curriculum, individual student planning and preventive and responsive services.
• Implements the Student Mindsets and Behavior Standards (ASCA National Model) to students in classrooms, groups, or individual settings in a manner appropriate for the student’s developmental level/age
• Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals in service of the strategic plan
• Conducts effective classroom presentations to students in collaboration with administration and teachers that align to the school and district goals

Individual Student Planning

• Assists all students, individually or in groups with developing academic, career and personal/social skills, goals and plans
• Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data through frequent progress monitoring efforts to inform decisions
• Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational, college and career planning
• Ensures the smooth transition between levels as well as to post-secondary options
• Consults with teachers, administrators, and other educational specialists on individual students regarding intervention and prevention strategies
• Maintain and input accurate student records in the student information system

Preventive and Responsive Services

• Advocates for equity and access for all students
• Provides direct services through individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs that supports social/emotional learning standards, prevention of bullying, harassment, intimidation, suicide and crisis response
• Provides indirect services as a resource for building staff, administrators, and parents in working with students, creating a positive school climate, and helping students develop a positive self-concept.
• Participates in development of positive behavior support systems and development of intervention strategies
• Manages and communicates a clear means for counseling referral and other access to counseling services
• Accurately and appropriately uses data from assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual, group counseling, or classroom-based services
• Monitors student academic performance, behavior and attendance and assists with appropriate
• preventions/intervention services
• Meet with building and district administration to assist in the successful MTSS implementation within the school
• Serve as member of the building’s MTSS teams to identify at-risk students and implement tiered interventions to enhance student outcomes

System Support

• Meets with building and district administration annually on the development and use of data, use of time analysis, and action planning to assess outcomes and needs of the comprehensive school counseling program
• Informs staff of services provided by the school counselor and how to access those services
• Assists teachers, parents/guardians and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding student data
• Adheres to laws, policies, procedures and ethical standards of the school counseling profession
• Participates on school guidance team and serves on building and district committees

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicate and collaborate with parents and school community for the purpose of fostering student success and achievement
• Foster and manage a safe, positive learning environment for the purpose of promoting effective student behavior and success
• Maintain and submit information/records including student progress
• Maintain confidentiality
• Participate in various meetings for the purpose of implementing school initiatives and addressing student needs
• Attend all relevant professional development and training opportunities
• Comply with supervision and evaluation procedures
• Implement and comply with District policies and the Code of Professional Conduct
• Maintain consistent attendance and conform to regular work hours specified under contract
• Fulfill other duties as assigned by the supervisor

BENEFITS:

Mount Vernon School District employees are eligible for SEBB medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability (LTD) coverage if they are anticipated to work 630 hours or more during the school year. Eligibility for retirement benefits applies to employees working 3.5 hours per day or more for five or more consecutive months. We also offer optional tax-sheltered annuities, including the Omni 403(b) and the Deferred Compensation Plan. Personal leave, vacation leave (for 260-day employees only), and sick leave are prorated based on full-time employment status.

Physical Requirements:

	Occasionally 1%-33% of the time	Frequently 34%-66% of the time	Continually 67%-100% of the time
Sitting		X
Standing			X
Walking		X
Crouching		X
Kneeling/Crawling	X
Stooping	X
Twisting Knees	X
Twisting Waist		X
Twisting Neck		X
Climbing	X
Balancing	X
Leg/Foot Use	X
Reaching		X
Handling/Grasping		X
Fingering/Feeling		X
Pushing/Pulling	X
Lifting/Carrying	X
Talking			X
Hearing			X
Vision			X