FACULTY MSD - School Counselor

The Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) is a diverse, bilingual community who in partnership with families, provides an equitable and exemplary education in a nurturing, engaging, and challenging environment to ensure our students achieve personal excellence and become lifelong learners.  As such, we are looking for dedicated individuals who can join us in the education of the children at MSD.

MSD, Columbia Campus, 8169 Old Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043

The School Counselor provides school-based mental health counseling services to Deaf and hard of hearing students and their families enrolled at MSD, including those students who have been identified as having multiple disabilities.  School counseling services help enhance student success at MSD by supporting the development of MSD students' social/emotional skills, behavior, and well-being through the use of evidence-based counseling interventions and strategies.  In addition to providing counseling for students, both individually and in groups, the MSD School Counselor works collaboratively with staff and parents in enhancing the overall social and emotional environment for students in the school, dormitory, and home.

The MSD school counselor:

Provides evidence-based school mental health counseling to MSD students, both individually and in groups.

Provides counseling and support during “crisis” situations.

Works collaboratively with staff to improve the social and emotional development of students in the classroom; assists staff in establishing a learning environment that provides students with an opportunity to grow socially and emotionally.

Establishes and maintains communication with parents; consults on social and emotional issues with parents.

Participates in team and community meetings.

Serves as an IEP team member; as needed, conducts counseling assessments, determines present levels of performance, and establishes counseling goals and objectives specifically addressed to student needs.

Prepares and maintains necessary records and reports on student counseling services and treatment progress.

To use therapy materials and activities to facilitate deaf student progress and to meet all deaf children’s needs.

Provides/coordinates school wide preventive workshops for students.

Consults with other professional and non-professional personnel concerning student performance.

Provides in-service training to other MSD staff as requested; assists classroom staff with the implementation of treatment aids and strategies.

Participates in seminars, in-services, and professional training programs.

Becomes actively involved in MSD’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.

Becomes proficient in Professional Crisis Management.

Assumes other responsibilities as designated by their supervisor and/or Principal.

Education:

Master’s Degree in Counseling

Possession of, or eligibility for certification as a School Counselor through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)

Experience:

Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL)

Experience working with Deaf and hard of hearing students

Experience working with Deaf and hard of hearing students with multiple disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability.

Experience using/developing social stories.

Must possess or be eligible for certification as a School Counselor by the Maryland State Department of Education.

New hires are subject to a criminal background investigation at their own expense. (Maryland Code, Family Law Article 1, Sections 5-560-568)

Applicants must have:

Knowledge of theory, principles, ethics, and evidence-based practice of school counseling.

Ability to perform school-based mental-health counseling with Deaf and hard of hearing students in grades K-8. Consideration of language/communication abilities and the presence of additional disabilities is essential to meeting the needs of the school.

Ability to recognize changes in students social and emotional functioning and revise their treatment program as indicated.

Ability to prepare and deliver reports and summaries.

Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL).

Applicants will need to provide three letters of recommendation.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

 

Online application process is STRONGLY preferred.  If online access is not available or if you encounter difficulty, you may submit via mail, e-mail, fax, or deliver in person before the closing date and time.  Please include your name and recruitment number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.  Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.  Additional or supplemental information must be submitted by the closing date and time.  Application inquiries or supplemental information can be directed to the following:

Mailing Address: Maryland School for the Deaf, Recruitment Department, P. O. Box 894, Columbia, MD 21044

E-mail: emily.hicks@msd.edu

Fax: 410-480-4536

Phone: 410-480-4535, TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

Individuals from traditionally underserved and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.  Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.  As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.