2026/2027 School Counselor, Sunnyside Elementary School, 0.5 FTE

Durango School District is accepting applications for a part-time Elementary School Counselor to join the team in the 26/27 school year at Sunnyside Elementary School. Must hold Colorado Department of Education, Special Services, Counselor license by the start date of the position. Begins 8/17/2026.For the 26/27 SY, this position includes a $900 one-time bonus! (Note, bonus pro-rated for late start).Job Title: School Counselor - Small SchoolPay Grade: Licensed Salary Schedule Job Family: Special Services ProvidersFLSA: Exempt Department: School BasedTypical Work Year: 10 Months Prepared Date: 12/14/16; 7/15/24; Rev 2/18/2026SUMMARY: Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, the Small School Counselor promotes student success, provides preventive services, and responds to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career, and personal/social development for all students. This role assesses student needs, monitors performance, and consults with instructional staff to provide strategies for academic and personal growth. In addition to general counseling duties, this position provides specialized social work and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) minutes for students with disabilities and implements the district's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for student wellbeing. The Small School Counselor also serves as back-up coverage for the school principal when they are out of the building.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Instructional & Program Support:Plan and implement services that support students in content areas.Provide adaptive services based upon identified unique characteristics of students and communities.Implement the district's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for student wellbeing.Implement programming designed to increase postsecondary workforce readiness and Portrait of a Graduate skills.Student Wellbeing & Specialized Services:Provide social work and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) minutes for students with disabilities as required by individual programming.Respond to student mental health crises by offering education, prevention, and access to crisis/short-term counseling.Work with and counsel identified students to enhance personal/social growth and increase responsibility for behavior.Provide resources for students to improve interpersonal relationships, learn problem-solving skills, and resolve conflicts.School Culture & Leadership:Assess school culture and climate to ensure an inviting, respectful, and inclusive environment.Serve as back-up coverage for the school principal when the principal is out of the building.Create accessible learning environments characterized by acceptable student behavior and appropriate strategies.Consult with and assist instructional staff with program modifications to support student growth.Collaboration & Compliance:Maintain constructive lines of communication with families and professionals to build partnerships.Provide training and tools to enable parents/guardians to meet their child's academic and social-emotional needs.Lead and assist with Site-Based MTSS, RTI, IEP, and Child Study meetings.Meet all legal requirements and timelines for professional practices including IEPs, ICAPs, 504s, and graduation plans.Monitor data to set trends and implement programs to close achievement gaps.Make referrals to community resources as needed.Perform other duties as assigned. ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:Assure the safety and welfare of students including necessary actions to ensure that students are supervised at all times.Demonstrate faithfulness and promptness in attendance at work.Submit required reports promptly at the times specified.Demonstrate care of and protection of School District property.Report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law.Use the District's internet and E-mail system as specified in Policy.Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent or their designees.EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Master's degree in Counseling or Social Work.Colorado Department of Education License for School Counselor or School Social Work, or eligibility for state licensure.Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training required within two months of hire.EXPERIENCE: Experience is preferred but may not be necessary for hiringCERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS : Ability to get to work and travel within Durango School District and LaPlata County. Must hold or be able to obtain by start date a Colorado Department of Education License for school counselor.Technical Skills, Knowledge, & AbilitiesCommunicate effectively in written and oral form using positive interpersonal skillsConsultation skills.Ability to develop and support the behavior intervention plans, classroom management systems, and reinforcement systems.Ability to use effective interventions for at risk learners.Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis.Knowledge of developmental, emotional, and behavioral disabilities.Experience in data collection and data analysis.Ability to develop and provide training related to accessing community resources and behavioral intervention practices in all school settings.Non-violent and physical intervention techniques.Ability to use proper English grammar, punctuation, and sentence structureKnowledge of first aid skills.Ability to promote and follow Board of Education and District Policies, Superintendent policies and building/department procedures.Durango School District is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Laura Galido, Compliance Officer, Durango School District, 281 Sawyer Drive, Suite 100, Durango, CO 81303, (970) 247-5411, lgalido@durangoschools.org, or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Spear Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, (303) 844-5695.