Job Description: Special Education Counselor
Position Overview:
The Special Education Counselor is responsible for providing comprehensive counseling services to students with special educational needs within an educational setting. This role involves working closely with students, parents, teachers, and other professionals to support the academic, emotional, and social development of students with special needs.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Provide individual and group counseling services to students with special educational needs, facilitating the development of appropriate social and emotional skills.
2. Collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to create and implement effective Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
3. Assess students' academic and emotional progress, identifying areas of concern and implementing appropriate intervention strategies.
4. Conduct regular meetings with parents/guardians to discuss students' progress, address concerns, and provide guidance on supporting their child's educational and emotional needs.
5. Collaborate with teachers to develop and implement classroom strategies that support the inclusion of students with special needs.
6. Assist students in developing effective study skills, time management techniques, and organizational strategies to support their academic success.
7. Provide crisis intervention and counseling services to students in emergency situations.
8. Collaborate with school staff to ensure compliance with applicable special education laws, regulations, and policies.
9. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of counseling sessions, interventions, and progress reports.
10. Participate in professional development activities to stay updated on best practices in special education counseling.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
1. Master's degree in Counseling, Special Education, or a related field.
2. State certification or licensure as a School Counselor or the ability to obtain certification/license.
3. Proven experience in providing counseling services to students with special educational needs.
4. In-depth knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and best practices.
5. Familiarity with the process of developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
6. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with students, parents, teachers, and other professionals.
7. Ability to assess students' needs and develop appropriate intervention strategies.
8. Excellent organizational and time management skills.
9. Strong crisis intervention and problem-solving abilities.
10. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
Note: This job description outlines the primary duties and qualifications for the Special Education Counselor role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. The employer reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.