TRADITIONAL SCHOOL LIAISON-CENTRAL OFFICE

Summary

To develop and implement a school counseling and intervention program based on the Navajo traditional philosophy of healing and learning, focusing on academic development, career development and personal/social development of students; continuously assessing the needs of students; identifying learning barriers and obstacles and advocating efforts to eliminating those barriers; and working cooperatively with school-based school counselors and the cultural education department.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general direction from the assigned administrator

Essential Function Statements – Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provide information and implement counseling activities for students, staff and parents using Navajo traditional knowledge and practices.
2. Provide assistance to students to help identify their skills, abilities, achievements, and interests through counseling and guidance activities.
3. Provide individual and group counseling; provide consultation with teachers, administrators, school psychologists, and school social workers and outside agencies and social services concerning the welfare of students.
4. Communicate and exchange information with parents/guardians by way of conferences and parent education workshops.
5. Participate as members of the school improvement and interdisciplinary teams and work as liaisons with parent organizations.
6. Work with specialized populations and needs that require special attention, such as culturally diverse populations and students of varying abilities.
7. Work with school guidance counselors and school personnel in integrating the Navajo philosophy of healing and life.

Required Knowledge of:

1. Operational characteristics, services and activities of a comprehensive school district counseling program.
2. Methods and techniques of guidance and counseling, both individually and in small groups.
3. District policies, rules and regulations relative to student advisement.
4. Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
5. Local and state educational structure and organization.
6. Concepts of cultural diversity as it relates to understanding individuality.
7. Cultural diversities of the local area and traditional Native American beliefs of students and families.

Required Ability to:

1. Interpret and explain district policies and procedures.
2. Prepare clear and concise reports.
3. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
4. Hand and maintain student records in a confidential manner.
5. Understand and respect the cultural diversities and traditional beliefs and practices of students and their families.
6. Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, law and regulations.
7. Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.
8. Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two years of responsible counseling or traditional practitioner experience.

Education:

Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in teaching, counseling or a related field, or a related verifiable experience

Licensure:

Licensed personnel: Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid license in teaching, counseling, psychology or social work and will be placed on appropriate salary schedule.

Unlicensed personnel: Will be placed on the indirect instructional and other direct instructional support salary schedule.