Education Behavioral Health Counselor

Definition

Definition: 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 Job Functions: 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.

Examples of Tasks

Essential Components of the Job

Communication & Collaboration

• 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.

Assessment & Counseling

• 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.

Monitoring

• 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.

Documentation & Records

• 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.

General & Professional Development

• 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

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.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• The History, culture, traditions, and customs of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
• Education Division policy and procedures
• Resources within and outside the Community that may be utilized in the program

Knowledge of:

• Generally accepted counseling procedures, practices, tools, and professional standards
• Methods and techniques for counseling students regarding academic performance career prospects and opportunities, behavior, attendance
• FERPA and family privacy rights laws
• Federal, state and Tribal child protection laws

Skilled in:

• Evaluating client needs and utilizing programs and resources within and outside of SRPMIC to meet those needs
• Time management, maintaining client confidentiality, and managing a heavy caseload
• Program planning, development, implementation and evaluation
• Evaluating client needs and utilizing programs and available resources to meet client needs
• Maintenance of accurate records, and verbal and written communication skills
• Providing counseling and therapy to individuals (children/adolescents) and their families
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with resource agencies, officials, staff, clients and members of the Community
• Microsoft Office Suite applications and standard office equipment

Ability to:

• Maintain accurate and timely program records, according to prescribed standards
• Maintain accurate records, and prepare appropriate reports utilizing personal computer and related software, including statistical data reporting software
• Create and maintain a climate of respect
• Work with diverse individuals and/or groups as a part of a team
• Work and relate with students, parents, faculty and staff
• Develop and implement individual/group counseling sessions in the areas of self-concept, graft and drug and substance abuse awareness and prevention
• Utilize the computer and related software, including, but not limited to, Word, Excel, and ACCESS, to fulfill job requirements
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Develop measurable outcomes and provide services in accordance with program objectives
• Be flexible when working with others in a wide variety of circumstances
• Analyze situations, define issues and draw conclusions
• Schedule activities, meetings, and/or events
• Analyze issues, create action plans and solve problems
• Independently interpret guidelines
• Adapt to interruptions and changing work priorities
• Meet deadlines and schedules
• Communicate effectively and clearly in both written and verbal communications/people skills

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Education and experience: Bachelor'sdegree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or closely related area and experience equivalent to three (3) years full-time counseling with children. Arizona State Certification preferred.

Driving Requirement: Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver's License.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

Special Requirements

Terms of Employment: This position is treated as a full-time exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week.

Must be able to pass a Pre-Employment Drug Test and extensive Fingerprint and Background Check. Employee is Subject to Random Drug Testing and completion of a Background Check every five (5) years.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified : Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required:1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted .

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.

Benefits:

The SRPMIC offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. In addition employees enjoy vacation and sick leave and 13 paid holidays.