JESSIEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Job Description for

Elementary Counselor

DEPARTMENT:   Student Support Services          JOB STATUS:  Full Time  

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: N/A                         REPORTS TO: Principal

GRADE/LEVEL: PK – 5

AMOUNT OF TRAVEL REQUIRED: See Essential Duties

WORK SCHEDULE: Per 210 Contracted Days          

POSITION SUMMARY

The Counselor works under the direction of the Principal to provide students with educational, personal and vocational counseling and to identify and coordinate all available resources to empower students to reach full potential. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• To practice confidentiality
• To teach guidance curriculum as outlined by ADE standards
• To guide individual and groups of students through the development of academic, career, or personal/social plans
• To counsel individual and small groups of students
• To consult with teachers, parents, and staff regarding student’s developmental needs and specific information about their students
• To refer students with problems and their parents to special programs and/or outside services
• To participate in activities which contribute to the effective operation of the school
• Create schedules for students (eSchool)
• Review new student records for proper placement
• Print IPR and report cards for building
• Manage donations to needy children (food, clothing, school supplies, etc.)
• To coordinate testing in building
• To be the 504 designee for building
• To plan and evaluate the building counseling program
• To pursue continuous professional growth
• To maintain records and files
• To have basic knowledge of state online testing: PARCC, NCSC, ELDA
• To have basic knowledge of state paper testing: Alternative Portfolio, EXPLORE, ACTAAP
• To have basic knowledge of IEP, 504, IHP, and ELL accommodations
• To have basic knowledge of Homeschooled, Homebound, and Online Public Schooled students
• To have basic knowledge of FINS forms and attend court for a student if necessary
• To keep current on issues such as bullying, cutting, child abuse, sexting, and other topics affecting students
• To be point of contact for outside organizations who donate supplies/food to students/school
• To perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee’s supervisor, the principal, or the superintendent

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statements

Knowledge of the schools and JSD policies and procedures

Evidence of strong commitment to quality education

Evidence of strong organizational skills

Evidence of strong oral and written communication skills

Education

Minimum of Masters Degree with an accredited educational institution. Other requirements per job description.  

Experience

Three (3) years teaching/administrative experience, preferred, with Highly Qualified designation status.  The state of Arkansas now allows an exemption for the licensure requirement of the three years classroom experience.  Other requirements per job description.

Certificates & Licenses

Valid Arkansas Teachers License with necessary requirements to meet ADE certification accreditation standards for the position. 

Computer Skills

Ability to apply basic computer programs (spreadsheet, Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint, others) to enhance job performance. (Others could include APSCN, HAC/TAC, NWEA, TRIAND, eSchool)

Other Requirements

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the school community.

Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication.

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all federal, state, and district requirements.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional documents.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups and the general public. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:   Ability to perform basic math operations to meet job expectations. 

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with situations appropriately to meet job expectations.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Other Physical Requirements

Vision (Near, Distance, Color, Peripheral, Depth perception)

Sense of Sound (ability to converse with others, conduct telephone conversations)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform with the essential functions.

The JSD HR Office has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included.  It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the JSD reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the JSD may deem appropriate.

The Jessieville School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

It is the policy of the Jessieville School District not to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment practices.