School Counselor - Big Horn Academy

Hardin School Districts 17H & 1 have the following position open for the 2025-2026 school year: 

SCHOOL COUNSELOR – BIG HORN ACADEMY

Applicant 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 Letter

District Online Employment Application 

Resume

Up-to-Date Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application process)

Three (3) Current Letters of Recommendation 

Complete application and submit documentation listed above online at https://hardinpublic.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

Only complete online applications will be considered

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATION PACKET: 

Open Until Filled

SCHOOL DISTRICTS 17H & 1

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:  School Counselor

FACILITY:                   Big Horn Academy

REPORTS TO:           Principal

POSITION 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 of responsibility and better decision-making skills

Accept referrals and seek referrals for counseling and personal assistance

Assess and counsel students based on observations, conversations and test results

Provide academic, personal, social and career guidance to both individuals and groups of students

Orient new students to school’s procedures 

Inform parents of available programs, and confer with parents regarding the progress of the student and activities of the school

Educate students and parents regarding the necessary course work required for graduation; assist students with the development of a four-year educational plan

Assist the administration with the school standardized testing program; interpret test results

Consult with and serve as a resource for teachers, staff, and parents regarding developmental needs of students

Refer students to supportive personnel for additional services: i.e. speech therapist, school nurse, school psychologist, or other helping specialists

Provide group guidance activities and specialized guidance materials

Conduct and facilitate conference with teachers, students, and parents; model appropriate conflict resolutions behaviors 

Understand the needs of at-risk student behaviors and assist in appropriate interventions

Attend 504/IEP Meetings, as well as act as onsite contact for various child protection and family crisis agencies

Serve as a resource to students and administrators in relation to student behavior and achievement

Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and referral agencies 

Be knowledgeable of community support-service agencies for the purpose of providing student assistance

Process school records for incoming and departing students

Coordinate information concerning students by maintaining and updating student records

Collaborate with administrators and teachers to provide appropriate classroom placement for students with special abilities and disabilities

Assist with inclusion needs within the school and within the Districts as assigned

Contact parents for special meetings or for needed signatures

Participate on the school-based crisis team

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 counseling

Proper Montana Teacher Certification

Counseling and Guidance Endorsement

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

Ability to maintain professional code of conduct within the legal and ethical standards for school counselors

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and school community

Ability to be flexible in scheduling and planning

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing 

Ability to handle stressful situations

Ability to maintain confidentiality of employee and student matters

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and School Board policies

EQUIPMENT USED:

Basic office machines such as calculator, photocopier, fax machine, telephone/voice mail, personal computer, tablet and related software, email 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Department Secretary, Students

WORK 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.

Compensation

Salary 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 & 1

Our 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 5

Fort Smith Elementary School – Grades K-5

Hardin Kindergarten Readiness Center – Early Childhood

Hardin Primary School – Grades K-2

Hardin Intermediate School – Grades 3-5

Hardin Middle School – Grades 6-8

Hardin High School – Grades 9-12

The Hardin Academy – Grades 9-12

Community

Big 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=4fQL74r7pl4

Our website is  https://www.hardin.k12.mt.us/

To apply for this position, go to https://hardinpublic.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

 Only complete online applications will be considered

School Districts 17H & 1 are an equal Opportunity Employer