Director of Counseling and 504
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- Central Administration
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- 3 days ago Post Date
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- 233 Total Views
Title: Director of Counseling and 504
Department: Office of Prevention and Intervention
Reports To: Deputy, Prevention, Intervention and Trauma
Salary Range: $88,657 - $116,997
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 200,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?
Job Summary
Plans, directs, and oversees school-based staff and central office staff in the provision of prevention and intervention efforts for school counseling and 504 service planning. Oversees creation and implementation of the District-Wide Comprehensive School Counseling Plan. Works collaboratively with other central offices to ensure that the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) implementation is based on sound, evidence-based principles and practices. Ensures District school counseling services meets the need of students and is in line with District goals and objectives. Ensures District compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania School.
Essential Functions
• Determines, defines and outlines procedures for achieving the goals and objectives of the office; establishes areas of responsibility for subordinate staff and monitors their specific elements of accountability.
• Directs the activities of staff engaged in various activities 504 service planning support and counseling services.
• Ensures that training related to 504 services and school counseling is effective in meeting assessed needs and achieving departmental and District objectives.
• Develops and facilitates training for principals, school-based staff and central office staff to support the development of positive learning environments using research based models, policy and procedure, compliance with 504 implementation and counseling services.
• Oversees the coordination and implementation of School Counselor Induction Program.
• Participates in the implementation of evidence-based and trauma-informed models for school climate, prevention and intervention.
• Collaborates with the City of Philadelphia’s major child-serving systems; supports interagency collaboration and resource development on behalf of District students and families.
• Collaborates with other District offices to support an integrated approach for 504 service planning and school counseling services.
• Provides direct support to school counselors, including oversight of school counselor mentors.
• Works in collaboration with Recruitment and Selection on the screening process for School Counselor candidates.
• Seeks funding, manages grants and ensures compliance with guidelines.
• Supervises Student Support Specialists to provide expert consultation to District counsel on 504 policy and procedure for resolution of cases and hearings; works across District offices to coordinate the central allocation of resources needed to accommodate students with 504 plans.
• Supports the counseling and social work internship program.
• Serves as the District’s point of contact for the contracted external developer to coordinate system-wide rollout of, ongoing training, and technical assistance for the electronic 504-documentation system.
• Provides expertise and advisement for District cases involving students with or eligible for 504 plans.
• Provides data to the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) as it relates to Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) of IDEA; tracks students receiving CEIS services; collaborates with other CEIS service providers to help maintain the database for tracking students receiving CEIS services; submits reports to OSS as required for IDEA compliance and prepares periodic and special reports concerning 504 compliance.
• Evaluates the performance of subordinate personnel
Minimum Requirements
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in either school counseling, behavioral health, special education, psychology or a related discipline.
• Five years of full-time, paid, professional experience in school counseling, child psychology or behavioral health, three of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included developing training for staff in the areas of prevention, intervention, and/or behavioral health as well as knowledge of Section 504 and the implementation of 504 policy and practice at the elementary and secondary levels.
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate for Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services OR Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for K-12 or Elementary and Secondary Principal
• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.
NOTE: An applicant who does not meet the minimum education or work experience requirements listed above may be considered if, at the sole discretion of the Talent Office, they have a unique combination of education and work experiences that indicates potential for success in this role.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Demonstrated knowledge of:
○ principles, practices and procedures of school counseling and behavioral health.
○ the current trends, techniques and challenges in the area of school counseling, behavioral health, and special education.
○ school counseling services across the three domains: academic, socialemotional and college/career readiness.
○ the procedures and guidelines of programs and providers operating under the City’s Department of Behavioral Health, Department and Human Services, and Family Court.
○ the procedures and guidelines of programs and providers operating under the City’s Department of Behavioral Health, Department and Human Services, and Family Court.
○ federal, state and local mandates governing program administration.
○ federal and state laws, guidelines and regulations governing the management of grants.
○ the methods and techniques for effective program administration.
○ supervisory methods and techniques.
o federal and state laws, regulations, and procedures specific to public elementary and secondary education, including; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2008; Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania School Code; and
Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) and Student Assistance Program.
o adult learning methods and techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to:
○ plan, direct, and coordinate the provision of programmatic services to a diverse student population.
○ work with various internal departments and external educational partner agencies to channel resources, ideas and recommendations for problem resolution and system creation.
○ assess the effectiveness and efficiency of programmatic activities and to make program modifications as needed.
○ provide leadership in designing, developing, and executing professional development to meet identified needs and initiatives.
o develop school-based service agreements with accommodations aligned to student needs in compliance with Section 504. o provide expert consultation to legal counsel on disability policy and procedure as relates to public elementary and secondary education.
o communicate complex disability policy to practitioners; facilitate the application and adaptation of policy to practice.
o design, coordinate, deliver, and adapt (based on needs assessment and continuous improvement) professional development and technical assistance for counselors on policy, procedure, and interventions related to school counseling.
o learn and develop turn-around training on use of an electronic documentation system.
o use an electronic data system to monitor, track, analyze, and report on outcomes. o work collaboratively with external partners and agencies, in particular those focused on disability compliance.
o learn District policies and procedures related to disability policy and procedure. o interpret District policies and apply them to individual circumstances and situations in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to:
o train and facilitate professional development.
o use a personal computer.
o communicate effectively, both orally and in writing o establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Nondiscrimination
The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital Title: Director, 504 and Counseling Services
status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.
