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BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of the site administration and the Associate Superintendent of Pupil Personnel, Wellness Counselors support the academic, physical, social and emotional growth of Jefferson Union High School District students. Wellness Counselors serve as liaisons between students, their families, school staff, and the community. They work on behalf of students who live with barriers which impede educational progress. Wellness Counselors work directly with students who experience difficulties in educational achievement due to social/emotional, adjustment and/or attendance issues. They provide direct clinical and case management services to students and parents, and provide consultation and in-services to school site personnel. Wellness Counselors strive to ensure equity and access for all students. Wellness Counselors collaborate with Peer Assistance Teachers and other staff to implement peer assistance and mentoring programs, anti-bullying programs, and other wellness-related activities. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: • Work with staff, students, guidance counselors and school psychologists in providing resources, prevention and intervention services to students and families. • Keep confidential records on students in accordance with legal and professional requirements. • Communicate and consult with administrators, guidance counselors, staff, and parents/guardians on a discretionary basis (under guidelines of the confidentiality laws) to protect the needs, rights and concerns of students. • Collaborate and consult with administrators and staff to implement and monitor behavioral interventions • Participate in on-site activities such as: faculty meetings, counseling department meetings, IEPs, 504s, SSTs and staff development. • Referrals to inpatient/outpatient treatment programs, community agencies and mental health professionals. • Provide individual and group mental health counseling to students; confer as needed with parents, teachers, and others regarding student mental health needs. • Work with classroom teachers and students assigned to Peer Assistance programs. Assist with developing and implementing curriculum, and supervising peer mentor activities on campus. SPECIFIC SERVICES: • Crisis Intervention including: • Mandated Reporting • Referral to mental health professionals and/or treatment programs • Liaison with local law enforcement agencies • Initiate 5150 assessments • Home visits as needed • Participate in crisis response team meetings • Runaway services and support • Short Term Counseling including: • Individual, family and group counseling • Conflict resolution and mediations • Wellness Coordination including: • Collaborate with school administration to foster a positive and healthy school climate • Create and implement whole school wellness programs • Co-teach Peer Assistance class • Conduct staff development • Train and coordinate student mentoring and mediation program • Conduct community presentations KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: • Identification, assessment, intervention and referral relative to: • Teenage depression and suicide • Mental illness • Substance abuse • Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse • Personal and family crisis situations • Death, dying and grieving issues • Adolescent issues • Bullying prevention • Gender and sexuality identity • Other crisis intervention • Trends and practices of the counseling profession. • Potential barriers to educational progress and student wellness. • Restorative justice practices • Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, including mandated reporting. Ability to: • Maintain accurate student records. • Assemble, organize and prepare data for records. • Operate standard office equipment including a computer and assigned software. • Understand and follow oral and written instructions. • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. • Establish and maintain effective working and cooperative relationships with others. • Maintain appropriate daily, punctual attendance. • Work under pressure, independently, with frequent interruptions and limited supervision. • Utilize the District’s Student Information System to locate students, keep conference notes, review student progress, and access student and parent portals. • Understand, be sensitive to, and respect the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disabilities and sexual orientation of students, faculty, administrators and staff. Experience in Secondary Education preferred. Up to 11 Years of Verifiable Service Credit accepted towards placement on the salary schedule. A successful candidate will also possess experience in educational, instructional, cultural, and social programs and activities that are traditionally found in a comprehensive high school. Applications and supporting materials will be reviewed, evaluated, and considered for an interview. Meeting the minimum qualification does not assure the candidate an interview. Reference checks will be conducted for finalists. All materials in the applicant’s file become JUHSD property, will not be returned, and will be considered for this vacancy only. JUHSD may re-advertise, delay, choose not to fill or fill more than one position. The JUHSD reserves the right to contact former and current employers, as well as others, to investigate job qualifications and past performance of applicants. The Jefferson Union High School District provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons. The recruitment, screening, and hiring of all personnel will be without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. Having trouble or need assistance with your application? Please go to www.edjoin.org and click on “Help Center” for information such as how to attach documents to your application, or how to update your profile. You may also contact the EdJoin help desk by calling (888) 900-8945.