Education Behavioral Health Counselor

Under general supervision from the Education Program Manager, the Behavioral Health Counselor counsels small groups and individuals needing emotional and educational support. Monitors students’ academic progress and advocates for rights of students by helping to remove barriers that may hinder students’ success.

Primary functions may include the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, skills, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions within this classification.

• Communicates educational issues on behalf of parents and schools on matters concerning Community children.
• Defines and explains educational needs of the Community to school administrators, teachers and counselors.
• Advocates for the rights of students and parents on educational programs in the elementary and secondary schools.
• Works with parents, school staff and other agencies in finding appropriate educational setting through accelerated course of study, alternative or special needs placement, or other types of programs for Community students.
• Assists parents with completing and submitting boarding school applications.
• Accompanies parents to boarding school to assist them with handling student disciplinary problems, monitoring student’s academic performance, illness, etc.

• Conducts individual, family, or group counseling sessions at families’ homes or at school.
• Determines student's needs and refers to Community and other resources as needed.
• Develops individual student learning plans for students based on the issues and needs considered.
• Develops and implements a program that educates and encourages parents to provide assistance to their children so they may achieve their goals.
• Assists students with resolving personal problems and conflicts that hampers their ability to focus on school.
• Responds to student crisis situations as first responder and provides immediate counseling intervention and refers students to other agencies as needed.
• Coordinates and assists School Attendance Officers with resolving family issues through counseling or referring students to the appropriate services to help students avoid truancy issues or interference with their academic success.
• Provides career and vocational development and counseling for students seeking enrollment in a vocational training program.
• Gathers and disseminates data relating to scholarships, careers, college enrollment criteria, and other relevant matters to Community students and parents.
• Provides student academic advisement and prepares four year educational plan for each high school student.

• Conducts regular home visits with parents, keeping them informed of learning, attendance effecting their child’s education.
• Assists with identifying gifted and talented Community students, as needed.
• Monitors student’s progress quarterly and ensures all required courses for graduation are scheduled and completed.

• Maintains case records on all counseling situations.
• Writes summaries and reports on individuals/families receiving counseling.
• Maintains case files on students with disciplinary or attendance problems, and or special needs.
• Provides testimony in Tribal Court, as needed, of actions taken to assist students that fail to comply with truancy requirements.

• Attends seminars and workshops to enhance professional knowledge and skills.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

As a key element of this position, the individual must possess organizational and time management skills which are documented and demonstrated and must be able to display the ability to know when to utilize the necessary skills. The individual must have a demonstrated ability to work with diversity and with a wide range of external agencies as a contributing team player.

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