School Counselor - SY25-26 - Hardin Middle School

Hardin School Districts 17H & 1 have the following position open for the 2025-2026 school year:SCHOOL COUNSELOR - HARDIN MIDDLE SCHOOLApplicant must have a valid Montana Educator License with a School Counselor endorsement. Benefit package includes: Health & Dental Insurance - District pays 80% of the Monthly Premium for All Levels of Coverage (i.e. Single, Two Party, Participant + Children, and Family); Flexible Spending Account for Medical and Dependent Care Expenses; District Retirement program; Discretionary Leave; District issued laptop and / or tablet; paid Professional Development Opportunities and possible teacher student loan forgiveness.APPLICATION PACKET REQUIREMENTS:Cover LetterDistrict Online Employment ApplicationResumeUp-to-Date Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application process)Three (3) Current Letters of RecommendationComplete application and submit documentation listed above online at https://hardinpublic.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspxOnly complete online applications will be consideredDEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATION PACKET:Open Until FilledSCHOOL DISTRICTS 17H & 1POSITION DESCRIPTIONPOSITION TITLE: Middle School CounselorFACILITY: Hardin Middle SchoolREPORTS TO: Building PrincipalPOSITION OVERVIEW:The person in this position counsels' individuals and provides group educational guidance. The Counselor provides a problem solving service to students, their families and staff. Employee may serve as a member of diagnostic teams or educational planning and placement committees.ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:Provide personal counseling services for students, families and groups to help them learn greater self-understanding, acceptance or responsibility and better decision-making skillsAccept referrals and seeks referrals for counseling and personal assistanceAssess and counsel students based on observations, conversations and test resultsEvaluate and prepare materials for classroom or staff meeting presentationsAssist in identifying students with problems or special talentConsult with and serve as a resource for teachers, staff, and parents regarding developmental needs of studentsRefer students to appropriate supportive personnel for additional services: i.e. speech therapist, school nurse, school psychologist, or other helping specialistsProvide group guidance activities, classroom guidance lessons, and specialized guidance materialsBe knowledgeable of community support-service agencies for the purpose of providing student assistanceAct as on-site contact for various child protection and family crisis agenciesConsult with parents, teachers, administrators, and referral agenciesProvide parents with information about school policies and procedures under the direction of the school administrationConduct and facilitate conference with teachers, students, and parents; model appropriate conflict resolutions behaviorsUnderstand the needs of at-risk student behaviors and assist in appropriate interventionsAttend 504/IEP Meetings, as well as act as onsite contact for various child protection and family crisis agenciesProcess school counseling records for incoming and departing studentsCoordinate information concerning students by maintaining and updating student records (Records include various tests and other pertinent data related to student)Collaborate with administrators and teachers to provide appropriate classroom placement and services for students with special abilities and disabilitiesPrepares reports as needed to building principals and superintendentDetermines needs of the school, staff, and parents and evaluates services offered to find the most effective and streamlined way to accomplish the goals of the programAssist the administration with the school standardized testing program; interpret test resultsAdapts and teaches related classroom curriculum to the elementary age levelParticipate on the school-based crisis teamReport cases of suspected child abuse according to state law (Mandatory Reporter)Only minimum duties and responsibilities are listed. Other duties and responsibilities may be required as given or assigned.DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION:Masters in school counselingValid Montana Teacher CertificationCounseling and Guidance EndorsementSPECIAL KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:Ability to maintain professional code of conduct within the legal and ethical standards for school counselorsAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and school communityAbility to be flexible in scheduling and planningAbility to effectively use technology in the instructional/learning processAbility to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writingAbility to handle stressful situationsAbility to maintain confidentiality of employee and student mattersAbility to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and School Board policiesEQUIPMENT USED:Audio-visual equipment, interactive boards, computers, tablet, printer, copier, general school equipmentSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:StudentsWORK ENVIRONMENT:While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, occasionally walk and stand. . The employee must be able to lift and / or move up to 50 pounds.Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.While performing the duties of this position, the employee rarely performs routine work. The employee frequently exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another). Guidance and reinforcement are usually available. The employee frequently works within time constraints and maintains attentiveness intensity. The employee is frequently involved in social interactions which require oral and written communications.The physical demands and work-environment characteristics described within this position description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.The information in the position description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Employee may perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the School District.CompensationSalary Range 2024-25 $36,949.25 - $62,034.04 DOE. (SY2025-26 certified salary in contract negotiation)Credit on the salary schedule will be given for up to nine (9) years contracted teaching experience. A bonus of $1,500.00 will be added to the contracted amount for those teachers who hold an MA degree.School Districts 17H & 1Our Districts have strong academic programs utilizing a variety of techniques for our students. There are programs for special education students and vocational students. There are a variety of music, drama, art, and sports opportunities for students of all ages. We are a Class A district, early childhood through 12th grade, with approximately 1,700 students. The student body is 84% Native American.Our Schools:Crow Agency Public School - Early Childhood-Grade 5Fort Smith Elementary School - Grades K-5Hardin Kindergarten Readiness Center - Early ChildhoodHardin Primary School - Grades K-2Hardin Intermediate School - Grades 3-5Hardin Middle School - Grades 6-8Hardin High School - Grades 9-12The Hardin Academy - Grades 9-12CommunityBig Horn County, Montana is rich in history, culture and time-honored traditions. It Includes the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations. Hardin (county seat) is situated on the banks of the Bighorn River and the edge of the Crow Reservation. The town is surrounded by productive farms and ranches. Coal mining has also contributed greatly to the local economy. Hardin, is located 46 miles southeast of Billings (largest city in the State) by way of Interstate 90. The Big Horn County Museum, Little Big Horn Battlefield and Chief Plenty Coups State Park provide interesting and important history of the area. The scenic Big Horn, Pryor and Wolf Mountain ranges are part of the Big Horn County landscape. Yellowtail Dam offers a majestic view of the water below. The spectacular Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area is host to water sports. This area of Big Sky Country also offers fishing, hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, camping, etc. for the outdoor enthusiast. Annual events in Big Horn County include: Little Big Horn Days, Native Days, Crow Fair, 4H County Fair, rodeos.Check out our District's YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fQL74r7pl4Our website is https://www.hardin.k12.mt.us/To apply for this position, go to https://hardinpublic.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspxOnly complete online applications will be considered