Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor

The Tuscarora Intermediate Unit invites applicants for a Licensed Professional Counselor for the 26-27 school year. This is a 190 day/year position. Salary range is approximately $52,000-$60,000 commensurate with experience. Applicants must apply via Applitrack and complete the online application. To be considered for an open position, applicants must upload the following required clearances: Act 24 Arrest and Conviction Report, Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance, Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, Act 114 Federal Criminal History Clearance.

The Licensed Professional Counselor is directly responsible to the Director of Special Education for supervision and evaluation. Fundamental duties/essential functions include:

• Performs individual, group, and crisis intervention counseling to students experiencing difficulties with addictions, substance abuse, family, stress management, self-esteem, anxiety and other situations as needed to promote optimum mental and emotional health.
• Works with staff members to educate, train and promote mental health awareness in the school district.
• Instructs individuals and groups in social skill areas as required by the Individualized Educational Program.
• Provides group and individual counseling to the programs within IU 11 area and supports the staff assigned to those students.
• Maintains records of all services provided.
• Identifies and addresses social, emotional, learning, cultural, environmental and economic barriers that impede the educational process.
• Plans and delivers social skills lessons, using researched-based programs and teaching methods.
• Documents and evaluates student progress based on progress monitoring techniques and observation.
• Monitors students' adaptive/behavioral progress when appropriate.
• Consults with classroom teachers and other staff as needed.
• Maintains contact with parents of students.
• Refers consumers to other agencies and contacts within the community when applicable.
• Conducts or assists in FBAs and the development of positive behavior support plans.
• Conducts presentations and training for IU and District staff, community agency staff and parents.
• Prepares, maintains and disseminates current information/materials based on current research and related to mental health.
• Completes comprehensive assessment of student needs, identifying strengths and needs and develops a treatment or behavior plan when appropriate.
• Conducts individual or group counseling sessions with students in accordance with treatment plan, or as necessary for crisis intervention; provides students with feedback support or encouragement or to address behaviors and attitudes, or family, social or personal problems.
• Evaluates student's response to intervention/treatment and modifies intervention/treatment plan or recommends intervention/treatment extensions as circumstances require.
• Assist in the development of student exit plans which integrate aftercare school based intervention/treatment and utilization of appropriate referral resources.
• Establishes relationships with community agencies and serves as an expert on the services they provide within the area to which one is assigned.
• Maintains regular communication verbally and in written form with student family members and educators to relay reports and other information for the continuity of care.
• Gather data for educational decision making.
• Collaborates with others to determine programming needs and create modifications as needed.
• Prepares and maintains written reports to document activities/recommendations made to an IEP team.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the Director of Special Education.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities include:

• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
• Relates effectively to other professionals, pupils, parents and community agency staff members.
• Sets objectives, establishes priorities, and uses time effectively.
• Expresses self clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of the students and the organization.
• Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
• Ability to travel between school/sites served.
• Ability to present oneself in a professional manner to include personal appearance and a pleasant demeanor to others.
• Protects the confidentiality of all pupil information in accord with Intermediate Unit policy.
• Ability to lift and carry materials and equipment up to 25 pounds.
• To be able to use crisis intervention as trained, to include physical safety and physical management as trained.
• Honesty, integrity, and reliability.

Qualification Standards include:

• Education: Master's degree.
• Experience: Valid PA license in counseling.
• Experience working with children within the public school setting preferred.
• Advanced knowledge in mental health disorders, behavior and treatment modalities preferred.
• Advanced skill in individual and family therapy.
• Advanced skill in crisis intervention.