Tacoma Public Schools  

Expected Start Date:  September 2023   

Hours per day:   7.5

Salary Level: Salary Available at Salary Schedules - Substitute Hourly Rates    

Benefits: NONE

This position provides a comprehensive guidance program for students; provides individual and group counseling; consults with teachers, staff, and parents to enhance their effectiveness in helping students successfully deal with behavioral, social, and emotional issues, and achieve academic success.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Implements the school guidance curriculum; conducts and/or assists in planning and facilitating guidance learning activities in the classroom; consults with and supports teachers in facilitating the infusion of guidance activities into their regular education curricula.

2. Guides and counsels students individually and in small groups through the development of social and educational plans; provides and participates in orientation activities for students new to school; provides resources and information to assist in career awareness.

3. Counsels students individually and in small groups to help them understand, overcome, and resolve academic, behavioral, social, and emotional concerns.

4. Counsels families of students experiencing chronic academic, behavioral, social, and emotional problems; suggests referrals to appropriate district resources and/or appropriate community resources.

5. Collects, organizes, and analyzes information about students through records, testing, interviews, and professional sources to appraise their interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personality characteristics for educational planning.

6. Consults with teachers, staff, parents, and mental health professionals regarding meeting the development needs of students; provides guidance to teachers and staff in dealing with students with academic, behavioral, social, or emotional problems; assists teachers in identifying students with special needs and special abilities.

7. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with various parent support groups, and governmental and community family service agencies; involves these groups in assessment, interventions, and program procedures; develops a network of social referral resources.

8. Participates with teams in establishing and planning respective roles in modifying a student’s behavior; develops individualized student behavior management programs; makes recommendations; provides feedback to team members and parents.

9. Maintains current knowledge of state and federal legislation related to education, including special education and Section 504; enhances personal knowledge through participation in case conferences, professional growth activities, professional organizations, and meetings.

10. Maintains appropriate reports and records on each assigned student; protects each student’s confidentiality; provides specific reports according to procedures or as assigned.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Performs related guidance duties as assigned.

CONDITIONS

May be required to deal with angry and distraught students/parents; may be exposed to childhood diseases; may be required to travel to one or more schools.

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited college or university; prior counseling experience is desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of childhood social, emotional, physical, and academic development.

Knowledge of Section 504, IDEA, and other state and federal regulations regarding the identification and 

placement of students in special education.

Knowledge of community support resources and family service agencies.

Ability to obtain, clarify, and exchange information.

Ability to assess guidance curriculum needs and implement the guidance curriculum.

Ability to lead and facilitate individual and group activities based upon brief psycho-educational models.

Ability to act as a liaison with community family service agencies and other support resources.

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.

Ability to participate as part of a team.

Certifications, Licenses and Special Requirements

Must maintain all licenses and certifications as a condition of continued employment:

Valid Washington State ESA Counselor Certificate.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: 

• Civil Rights Coordinator: Renee Trueblood, 253-571-1252, civilrights@tacoma.k12.wa.us   
• Title IX Coordinator: Wayne Greer, 253-571-1191, wgreer@tacoma.k12.wa.us 
• 504 Coordinator, Elementary: Jennifer Herbold, 253-571-1096, jherbol@tacoma.k12.wa.us 
• 504 Coordinator, Secondary: Megan Nelson, 253-571-1003, mnelson@tacoma.k12.wa.us 

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.