School Counselor

Somerton School District; Somerton (AZ); On-site; USD 50,132 - 53,892; Full time

Job summary

Somerton School District is seeking a Counselor to support student academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development. The role involves collaboration with parents, staff, and community partners, data-driven planning, and delivering preventive services.

The Counselor will document progress and advocate for students while maintaining confidentiality. This 9-month exempt position offers a starting salary range of $50,132 to $53,892 DOE and a full benefits package.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, FERPA and state mandates.
• Ability to analyze data and maintain confidential records.
• Strong collaboration with parents, teachers, and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with parents, school staff, and community partners to coordinate support and ensure student safety.
• Collect and analyze data from observations, incidents, and plans to determine counseling needs.
• Document observations and communicate with stakeholders to maintain accurate records.
• Provide individual and group counseling and teach social-emotional lessons.
• Prepare reports and materials to support student progress and school processes.
• Serve as liaison between home and school to advocate for students.

Skills

Counseling techniques

Data collection

Crisis intervention

Education

Master's degree in counseling

ADE School Counselor Certification

Tools

Office software

Job description

TYPE: Certified STATUS: Exempt SALARY Range: (Starting at $50,132 - $53,892) DOE, recognize up to 5 years experience, 9 month position, Full Benefit Package)

REPORTS TO: Building Principal WORK CALENDAR: 191.5 DAYS START DATE: August 2026

Purpose Statement

The job of Counselor is done for the purpose/s of supporting student academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development; collaborating with parents, school staff, and community partners; monitoring student progress and safety; providing individual and group guidance; teaching social-emotional lessons; promoting student success and delivering preventive services to students, parents, and staff; documenting and reporting student data; and serving as a liaison between home and school to advocate for students.

Essential Functions

• Collaborates with parents, school administration, teachers, community organizations, law enforcement, and other related services for the purpose of coordinating support, sharing information, and ensuring student safety and well-being.
• Collects and analyzes data from observations, discipline incidents, teachers, medical records, child study meetings, and 504 plans for the purpose of determining the need for counseling services and/or to support the school administration with preventive school services.
• Coordinates with teachers, school administration, and community partners for the purpose of exchanging relevant information to support student needs.
• Documents student observations and communicates with parents, teachers, school administration, and outside agencies for the purpose of maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Intervenes and mediates in occurrences of unsafe behaviors for the purpose of ensuring student safety, de-escalating situations, and supporting school-wide positive behavior plans through preventive and follow-up services for students.
• Maintains student confidentiality by ethically and legally safeguarding sensitive information in accordance with school policies and professional standards for the purpose of protecting student privacy, building trust, and supporting a safe and respectful learning environment.
• Monitors students’ academic, attendance, and behavioral performance and progress toward IEP goals, 504 plans, and/or behavior plans (e.g. failing grades, chronic attendance and tardiness, tier 2 and 3 behavior, check in/check out, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring they are meeting objectives and supporting overall student success.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, and conferences for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Prepares a wide variety of materials (e.g. lesson plans, behavior plans, referral data, reports, ) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or communicating information effectively.
• Prepares and submits required reports promptly and accurately for the purpose of maintaining compliance, documenting student progress, and supporting informed decision-making.
• Presents information (e.g. teachers, students, ) for the purpose of effectively communicating key information and gathering feedback.
• Provides guidance to students, parents, and guardians for the purpose of promoting academic success, social-emotional growth, and a clear understanding of school processes.
• Researches relevant academic, behavioral, and social-emotional information for the purpose of addressing the diverse developmental needs of students.
• Serves as a liaison between home and school for the purpose of advocating on behalf of the student and/or their family while taking appropriate precautions to ensure student safety.
• Teaches socio-emotional lessons to small groups or whole classes (e.g. suicide prevention, bullying, coping skills, social skills, anger management, etc.) for the purpose of promoting safe behaviors and student well-being
• Works with students individually for the purpose of supporting personal development and addressing challenges related to home and family relationships, as well as health and emotional adjustment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the counseling services.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: pertinent codes, policies, regulations, and/or laws; IDEA, Section 504, FERPA, and state-specific education mandates; cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral development across age groups; age/subject-appropriate educational materials and curriculum; appropriate counseling techniques for individuals as well as groups; social-emotional learning (SEL) frameworks and prevention strategies; conflict resolution, crisis intervention, and de-escalation methods; and behavior management and positive reinforcement strategies.

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: preparing and maintaining accurate records; planning and managing activities; and operating standard office equipment, including pertinent computer software.

ABILITY is required to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing a variety of complex processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: collecting, analyzing, and interpreting academic and behavioral data; adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; working well independently and collaboratively with others; working with detailed information/data; and maintaining effective working relationships.

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 60% sitting, 15% walking, and 25% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience: Job related experience within speciliazed field is required

Education: Masters degree in job related area

Certificate: ADE School Counselor Certification requirements

Clearances: Criminal Background Check, MMR Clearance, IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card