Middle School Guidance Counselor

QUALIFICATIONS:
1.   Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2.   Iowa Teaching License with 5-12 or K-12 Endorsements in Counseling required.
3.   Successful teaching and/or counselor experience, mandatory.
 
Report to: Building Principal
 
Position Goal:  To facilitate the optimal growth, success and development of each child and of the whole child, scholastically, emotionally, socially and physically.  Access needs of students by creating a safe, flexible and optimal learning environment and provide feedback to parents, student and administration.
 
Performance Responsibilities:

1. Defines and interprets the functions of guidance to administrators, teachers, students, parents and the public.
2. Participates in orientation of students and parents new to the school and follows up on students’ adjustment to school.
3. Design and implement individualized intervention plans with specific strategies (including, advising, counseling, and mentoring programs and services) to address the needs of targeted students and to their families/caregivers.
4. Monitors the student academic record system.
5. Plans, supervises, and interprets various testing programs in the assigned building.
6. Assists in planning in-service workshops as well as other training and developmental programs for professional staff where applicable.
7. Works to prevent students from dropping out of school, by providing early identification of students at risk of failing or leaving school.  Apply appropriate interventions, such as small groups, individual counseling, and social skills training.
8. Works with students on an individual and group basis for optimal developmental growth and advise faculty and staff in planning an individualized intervention plan and curriculum that will meet the needs of the student and keep accurate records.
9. Confers with parents whenever necessary to ensure parent awareness of and involvement in their child’s school performance and to secure parent support of student participation, school, and other activities.
10. Takes an active role in interpreting the school objectives to students, parents and the community.
11. Counsels students as needed concerning:
    1. Personnel problems
    2. Career job and professional choices
    3. College, university and further training
    4. Academic problems
    5. Research
12. Obtains and disseminates occupational information to students and classes studying occupations.
13. Maintains an up-to-date inventory of all equipment and materials within the assigned area.
14. Assumes such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent and building principals.
15. Sees that all students are informed about possible scholarships, grants and loans for the continuation of their education beyond the high school diploma.

1. All district employees are required to keep appropriately trained as per Board policy in the areas of CPR and First Aid.
2. Work collaboratively with at-risk teams to develop plans and programs.

 
Note:   1. There will be two counselors for grades 6-12.
            2. One will be assigned all students in grades 9-12
            3. The other one will be assigned all students in grades 6-8
 
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Salary and work year to be established in accordance with the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement.
 
Disclaimer:
The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel in this position.  These statements are not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.
 
The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time unless restricted by a negotiated contract.