School Counselor or School Social Worker

CiTi BOCES; West Virginia; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

CiTi BOCES is seeking a dedicated School Counselor or School Social Worker to support STRIVE, a restorative, trauma-informed program for students with significant social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs.

The role includes direct counseling in line with IEPs, SEL instruction, and collaboration with school teams to implement Tier 2/3 interventions based on data and identified needs. STRIVE emphasizes restorative practices and developing independence in social-emotional skills.

Qualifications

• NY State certification as School Counselor or School Social Worker is required or preferred.
• Experience working with children with significant social, emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health needs.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and small-group counseling aligned with student IEP requirements.
• Conduct SEL and behavioral skill-building interventions using evidence-based practices.
• Support self-regulation, emotional awareness, coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Respond to student crises and assist with behavioral and safety plan implementations.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, service providers, families, and community agencies to support student success.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams (CSE, IEP development, BIP) and provide staff consultation on social-emotional and mental health needs.
• Maintain documentation of counseling services, progress monitoring, and required reports; ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Relationship building

Crisis prevention

De-escalation

Education

New York State certification as School Counselor or School Social Worker

Job description

Position Summary:

CiTi BOCES is seeking a dedicated and compassionate School Counselor or School Social Worker to support students enrolled in our STRIVE (Safe, Trusting, Restorative, Instructional and Vocational Environment). This position provides direct counseling services to students with significant social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs while supporting a comprehensive, multi-tiered system of social-emotional and behavioral interventions.

The successful candidate will provide counseling services as required by student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), deliver Tier 1 social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health literacy instruction, and collaborate with educational teams to develop and implement Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions based on student data and identified needs.

About the STRIVE Program:

STRIVE classes are designed for students who require intensive social, emotional, and behavioral support to access their education successfully. Through individualized interventions, restorative practices, and strong collaborative partnerships, staff help students build self-regulation, resilience, positive relationships, and academic confidence.

The goal of the STRIVE program is to foster the development of independence in social, emotional, behavioral, and academic skills. Through an integrated service delivery model, the program addresses each student's unique needs. STRIVE emphasizes Restorative Practices principles to build community, strengthen relationships, and develop self-regulation skills. Social-emotional learning is embedded throughout the school day, reflecting our belief that all students can realize their potential in an environment that is supportive, developmentally appropriate, and responsive to individual needs.

Essential Responsibilities:

Direct Student Services:

• Provide individual and small-group counseling services in accordance with student IEP requirements.


• Conduct social-emotional and behavioral skill-building interventions utilizing evidence-based practices.


• Support students in developing self-regulation, emotional awareness, coping skills, problem-solving, and interpersonal effectiveness.


• Respond to student crises and assist with the implementation of behavioral and safety plans as needed.

Collaboration and Consultation:

• Work closely with teachers, administrators, related service providers, families, and community agencies to support student success.


• Participate as a member of multidisciplinary teams, including CSE meetings, IEP development, and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) development and implementation.


• Provide consultation and support to staff regarding student social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs.

Student Services Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of counseling services, progress monitoring, and required reports.


• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to special education and student services.


• Maintain progress reporting and documentation related to IEP goals and objectives.

Qualifications:

Required:

• New York State certification as:
  
  
  
  • School Counselor OR
  
  
  • School Social Worker
  
  
  
  


• Experience working with children exhibiting significant social, emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health needs.


• Strong collaboration, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred:

• Experience in special education, alternative education, or therapeutic educational settings.


• Knowledge of Restorative Practices, trauma-informed care, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).


• Experience delivering SEL curriculum and conducting individual and group counseling.


• Familiarity with behavioral data collection and progress-monitoring practices.

Desired Characteristics:

The ideal candidate is:

• Student-centered and relationship-focused.


• Skilled in de-escalation and crisis prevention.


• Committed to inclusive and restorative approaches.


• Flexible, collaborative, and solution-oriented.


• Passionate about helping students build resilience, self-regulation, and independence.