State of Maryland

A Student Life Counselor Supervisor School for the Deaf is the supervisory level of work providing guidance to deaf and hard of hearing students by serving as a mentor and role model, offering advice and assistance with everyday life skills and providing referrals as appropriate to other staff at the Maryland School for the Deaf.  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Student Life Counselors.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a designated administrator. Employees may be required to travel to various locations for events such as field trips, workshops, seminars and recreational activities.  Employees may be required to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.  Employees may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs.  Some employees in this classification may be required to reside on campus.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of the class specification.

The Student Life Counselor Supervisor is differentiated from the Student Life Counselor II in that the Student Life Counselor Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Student Life Counselors while the Student Life Counselor II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Plans, coordinates, supervises and evaluates the work of lower-level Student Life Counselors;

Trains lower-level Student Life Counselors;

Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of behavioral  programs for individuals or groups of students;

Oversees the implementation of and modifications to student Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and student Individual Transitional Plans (ITPs) in areas such as proper etiquette and interpersonal relations;

Maintains accurate and timely records;

Encourages parents and lower-level Student Life Counselors to discuss student needs and progress and keeps parents apprised of student development through telephone calls, letters and meetings of the Parent, Teacher, Counselor Association;

Represents needs of students and concerns of lower-level Student Life Counselors before the school administration and teachers and recommends policies and procedures involving lower-level Student Life Counselors;

Recommends in-service training for lower-level Student Life Counselors in the appropriate methods of providing guidance to deaf and hard of hearing students;

Administers a budget used to maintain an adequate stock of dormitory supplies and to finance student field trips;

Ensures that dormitories are safe, properly maintained and secure;

Communicates with students to discuss their problems and offer guidance, and serves as a mentor and role model for their assimilation into the deaf culture;

Observes and interacts with students to assist them in complying with daily and weekly schedules and to ensure compliance with Maryland School for the Deaf rules and policies;

Tutors students in various academic subjects to help them fulfill classroom expectations;

Plans, raises funds for and oversees off-campus field trips and recreational activities;

Assesses emergency and crisis situations, makes appropriate contacts and referrals and provides interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available;

Participates in the development of educational programs and workshops;

May serve as a coach for extra-curricular activities such as football, basketball, wrestling and cheerleading;

May transport students to off-campus activities;

May make periodic safety checks of doors and windows of student residences;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the human developmental process;

Knowledge of the physical, emotional and social aspects of deafness;

Skill in American Sign Language sufficient to permit fluent and accurate communication with students and parents;

Skill in written English sufficient to permit fluent and accurate communication with students and parents who are not proficient in American Sign Language;

Ability to learn emergency medical procedures;

Ability to supervise lower-level Student Life Counselors;

Ability to develop, implement and evaluate behavior modification and education plans;

Ability to ensure that dormitory environments are safe, properly maintained and conducive to positive student development;

Ability to plan and coordinate educational and recreational student activities;

Ability to work harmoniously with students, lower-level Student Life Counselors and other staff.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Four years of experience providing guidance to deaf and hard of hearing youth and assisting them with everyday life skills in a student life setting.

Note: Candidates may substitute additional education at an accredited college or university at the rate of sixty credit hours for each year of experience for up to two years of the required experience.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.  Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in this classification will be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid training leading to certification.  These certifications must be kept current as a requirement of residential child care licensure by the Maryland State Department of Education.

1. Employees in this classification are required to be proficient in American Sign Language and in written English.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to pass a medical examination and annual screening for tuberculosis as a requirement of residential child care licensure by the Maryland State Department of Education.

3. Employees in this classification who reside on campus will be required to sign a leasing agreement which specifies that the residence/lodging being furnished by the employer is being provided as a condition of employment in accordance with Internal Revenue Service and Department of General Services regulations.

4. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

5. Employees in this classification will be required to apply for a criminal background check as a requirement of the Family Law Article, Section 5-561, of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from    collective bargaining.