State of Washington Classified Job Specification
RESIDENTIAL/STUDENT LIFE COUNSELOR
Definition
Provides training, counseling, guidance and monitoring to Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth and Washington State School for the Blind students for the purpose of facilitating student self-sufficiency; designs, implements, assesses and modifies student development instructional programs; and creates and maintains a safe and secure environment for students.
Typical Work
Monitors students during hours of residential department programming to ensure health and safety;
Develops and implements programming to meet physical, intellectual, emotional and social development needs (such as assessments, Individual Education Program, behavior management and intervention);
Incorporates and uses principles of orientation, mobilities and independent living skills in all aspects of student care;
Assesses situations regarding student behavior; recommends programming, discipline or crisis intervention as needed;
Monitors, counsels and assists students with their daily schedule and routine duties in an effort to facilitate student self-sufficiency;
Oversee and assists students with athletic and after school programming;
Provides guidance and assists students with language development for American Sign Language;
Maintains ongoing communication with parents, staff, volunteers, community members and support service organizations;
Documents and maintains student and staff reports, records and communications;
Assists in teaching daily living skills and coordinates with educational and support staff;
Instructs students in personal hygiene;
Transports, supervises and interacts with students during scheduled on-campus or off-campus recreational activities or appointments;
Oversees meal preparation; assists and instructs students in food preparation and proper table manners;
Assists students in personal laundry and light housekeeping as needed;
Picks up and distributes mail;
Serves on committees and participates in meetings with other departments;
Performs other duties as assigned;
May supervise or direct the work of others.
Knowledge and Abilities
Ability to: exhibit conversation and comprehensive skills for social and work environment; maintain a safe and secure living environment; identify an individual’s needs and develop goals and objectives to address them; analyze a situation and take appropriate action; prepare and review written reports; write clearly and concisely; carry out written and oral/manual instructions; ability to communicate fluently using American Sign Language and demonstrated proficiency in written English.
Legal Requirement(s)
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
Two years of college (equivalent of 90 quarter credit hours) with major emphasis in interpreter training, education, child development, social work, psychology, sociology, recreation or related subjects
AND
one year of experience working in an instructional group setting with children.Note: Proficiency in sign language is also required for positions working with students in the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth.
In the School for the Blind, positions will be required to successfully obtain and keep current a functional knowledge of (Unified English Braille) code through a residential department approved course or courses, within 2 years of hire date.
Class Specification History
New Class, consolidates 36600 Residential Life Counselor, 36640 Student Life Counselor; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Revised definition; adopted November 13, 2014, effective November 14, 2014.
Revised definition, typical work, knowledge and abilities, legal requirements, desirable qualifications, adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1,2023.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
