Elementary Counselor

Meskwaki Settlement School

Job Description

Elementary School Counselor

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in School Counseling or a related field.
• Valid Iowa license with K-6 counseling endorsement required
• Fulfill continuing education requirements
• Previous experience in counseling or education is preferred.
• Uphold ASCA ethical and professional standards
• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices; appropriate counseling strategies for use with young children; working knowledge of agencies and institutions for support and referral purposes; effective instructional strategies; effective classroom management strategies

• Excellent interpersonal skills; communication skills; teaming skills; flexibility and openness to change; commitment to continued professional growth
• Ability to lead
• Ability to work collaboratively with parents, school personnel, and other agencies to meet the needs of students; ability to assess and monitor student progress; ability to teach groups of adults and children
• Ability to build trust and rapport with students, parents, and staff.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and group counseling to support students’ emotional and social development.
• Develop and implement programs that promote positive behavior, conflict resolution, and coping strategies.
• Lead, advocate and collaborate to promote equity and access for all students by connecting their school counseling program to the school’s academic mission and school improvement plan.
•  They uphold the ethical and professional standards of ASCA.
• Collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to address student needs.

• Counsel students individually and/or in groups in the areas of personal, social, academic and career issues as needed 
• Counsel with small groups of students who have common concerns
• Collaborate with the behavior interventionist to plan and deliver Tier 2 SEL instruction for students identified as needing SEL interventions.
• Provide individual, brief, solution-focused counseling for students, families and groups 
• Assess and identify students who require additional support and create intervention plans.

• Coordinate with administrators, teachers, support staff and outside agencies activities designed to promote the cognitive, affective and behavioral development of students
• Assist the principal and teachers in establishing and maintaining appropriate student behavior throughout the school and grounds
• Provide resources for individual staff/classroom/student needs
• Conduct classroom guidance lessons on topics such as bullying prevention, self-esteem, and study skills
• Coordinate the needs of at-risk students
• Refer students and families to external resources when necessary.
• Interpret personal, social and educational information to the students, parents, teachers, administrators and other professionals in an effort to promote the optimal adjustment and welfare of each student
• Participate in staffings when deemed necessary
• Maintain accurate records of counseling sessions and student progress.
• Participate in in-service training programs relative to counseling programs
• Keep abreast of and share new ideas and developments in the school counseling field
• Collaborate with teachers, parents and other staff to enhance their effectiveness in helping students in ways to promote the attainment of students educational goals
• Supervise students throughout the building
• Regular and reliable attendance is required to adequately carry out the essential duties
• The principal may assign additional supervisory duties according to building need
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, speak, hear, see, and walk to carry out routine duties
• Participate in professional development to stay updated on best counseling practices.
• Uphold confidentiality and ethical counseling standards in accordance with school policies

Work Environment: (The work environment characteristics described here 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 the essential functions).

• Work may be indoors or outdoors
• Tobacco and alcohol-free environment
• Fast-paced atmosphere with constant contact with students, staff, or the public
• May include evenings
• Direct responsibility for the safety and well-being of students

*This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills

required of 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 or her supervision

Terms of Employment:

1. Days of employment: 210 contract days, including 180 student days, 5 days to be fulfilled before teacher contracts begin, and 5 days to be fulfilled after teacher contracts end; or as agreed upon by administration.

Requirements:

• Must pass a background check per P.L. 101-630, P.L.101-647, and 25 CFR Part 63
• Valid driver's license with a good driving record.
• Must maintain confidentiality.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening

Salary: Dependent on qualifications and experience.