School Counselor

Guidance Counselor Duties and Responsibilities

• Implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program that functions within the Multi‑Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework:
• Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention‑oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals.
• Serves as an advocate for students' social and emotional needs in the school setting.
• Supports the implementation of school wide Social‑Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum.
• Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services.
• Provides social emotional support to students during mandated testing.
• Provides group and individual counseling to students in need.
• Provides peer conflict resolution services to students in need.
• Assists in completion of threat assessments and serves as a member of the threat assessment team.
• Attends and participates in Student Assistance Team (SAT) meetings, as a resource for information and referrals to additional services.
• Assists in completion of Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans.
• Supports students through crises and works with families to determine the next level of support.
• Co‑ordinates Child‑Find intake process for preschool students.
• Connects students and their families to resources that will support the student’s social, emotional, and academic growth in the school setting.
• Serves as liaison for students in need of additional resources and/or that have received community donations, including but not limited to those related to homelessness, food insecurity, holiday meals, holiday gifts, winter clothes, and school supplies.
• Maintains communication with families in need of access to food distribution services and assists with distribution of these resources.
• Refers students to social service and governmental agencies, support groups, and other community agencies as appropriate.
• Maintains current knowledge of community resources.
• Assists in the identification of students with special needs and makes referrals for testing when a disability is suspected.
• Serves as a resource to staff regarding social, emotional, and behavioral issues of students in the school setting.
• Provides training to school staff regarding topics of social emotional well‑being, mental health, suicide prevention, and related policies/procedures.
• Provides consultation to school staff regarding social, emotional, and behavioral issues occurring in the school setting.
• Supports administration in implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Supports administration in implementation of restorative justice practices.
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information regarding students, parents, and staff.
• Maintains and executes the role as a mandatory reporter as required by law.
• Maintains accurate and complete documentation of services provided in the Student Information System and in accordance with Medicaid School Based Services standards, when applicable.

• Hold a department‑issued license for at least one of the following:
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
  • License Master Social Worker (LMSW)
  • Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Hold a national certified school counselor credential issued by the national board for certified counselors.
• Have or be eligible for at least one of the following New Mexico PED licenses as required by the State of New Mexico:
  • School Social Worker
  • School Counselor
  • School Behavioral Health Counselor
• Be able to pass employment verification.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.