Middle School Counselor

The Payette School District has the following opening for the 2025-2026 school year:

McCAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Holds a Pupil Personnel Services Certificate with a Counselor Endorsement (K-12) or is a certified social worker
2. Minimum experience as determined by the Board
3. Strong knowledge and experience of computerized master schedule development and the use of student information systems (SIS) and learning management systems (LMS)
4. A broad understanding of theories of individual and group guidance techniques, and elementary school guidance program design
5. Knowledge of state and federal testing procedures and requirements
6. Strong background in the use of technology
7. Relates extremely well to students
8. Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with students, parents, staff, and community groups and organizations
9. Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
10. Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership skills
11. Maintain the confidentiality of staff and students

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY TO
Principal

Role Competencies

Acting with Empathy and compassion instills these values in the organization’s culture.
Continuous Learning: Seeks learning opportunities
Exemplifying Integrity: Acts in a fair and ethical manner towards others
Initiative: Identifies immediate action needed
Partnering: Seeks partnership opportunities
Planning and Organizing: Plans and organizes group activities
Thinking Strategically: Processes complex information on aspects of an issue
Using Information Technology: Uses standard IT applications in common situations.
Visioning and Alignment: Aligns team goals and actions

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Assistance to Students

1. Assist students with education planning, course selection, and adding and dropping courses
2. Register students new to the school, provide orientation and information relative to school policies and procedures, schedules, curriculum, and extracurricular opportunities
3. Interpret grades and test scores for parents and students
4. Assist when requested with follow-up on students who are below grade level/failing with weekly progress reports
5. Maintain a close relationship with the child study team ,following directives and recommendations as needed
6. Assist in the resolution of school-related problems
7. Provide responsive services including consultation, personal counseling, crisis counseling, and referral
8. Arrange for summer work and/or enrollment in summer school programs to make up noted deficiencies
9. Provide for a smooth transition between elementary and middle/junior high, which may include orientation programs for students and parents
10. Provide a guidance curriculum consisting of structured developmental experiences presented systematically through classroom and group activities for all students
11. Assist with teacher/student/parent conferences
12. Assist students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the use of teacher comments, interpretation of individual standardized test scores, and other pertinent data
13. Provide counseling for students that will assist them in developing increased personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity

Office Management

1. Maintain a professional office environment
2. Provide interim assistance to students or parents with urgent needs
3. Maintain student records and ensure their confidentiality
4. Consult with teachers and other staff regularly to provide information and support to staff and to receive feedback on the emerging needs of students
5. Deal with confusion and emergencies in a friendly, supportive, and calm manner
6. Assist agitated or confused students in re-composing themselves during situations where the student has a problem or personal setback
7. Screen and coordinate new student records
8. Help build the master schedule and decide what courses are going to be taught at each grade level

Other

1. Serve as a resource person to local community organizations
2. Network and consult with local businesses, industries, and social service agencies regularly
3. Provide information to the community regarding guidance services or other relevant programs
4. Knowledge of the district’s testing program and interpretation of test scores, and attend state-sponsored district test coordinator meetings as needed
5. Work closely with the school in interpreting the school’s philosophy and objectives to students and parents
6. Participate in building meetings, such as special education meetings and class meetings
7. Assist in arranging education services for hospitalized or homebound students in conjunction with the special services staff
8. Assist with teacher/student and teacher/parent conflicts
9. Provide letters to parents informing them of student's academic status
10. Keep the immediate supervisor informed of activities and any issues that may arise
11. Assume responsibility for his or her continuing professional growth and development by such efforts as attendance at professional meetings, membership in professional organizations, enrollment in advanced courses, and by reading professional journals and other publications
12. Adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Idaho Teaching Profession adopted by the Professional Standards Commission and the State Board of Education
13. Seek assistance should emergencies arise
14. Represent the school district in a positive manner
15. Know and follow the school district policy and chain of command
16. Perform other duties as assigned

Candidates should upload the following:

An essay, 250 words or less, on what your major strengths are as they apply to the position for which you are making application

Cover letter

Resume

Photocopies of college transcripts

Photocopy of current Idaho certification or other State Certification

Three (3) current letters of recommendation

COMPENSATION

Salary based on experience and skills. Position qualifies for benefits which include health, dental, vision and life insurance; PERSI retirement, as well as access to optional ancillary insurance and retirement products.

Payette School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Positions are open until filled. All recommendations for hire are tentative offers. Employment is contingent upon board approval and successful completion of a federal background check and drug-free workplace pre-employment screening (if required for the position). Regular attendance is a key requirement of this position. Any applicant convicted of any of the felony crimes enumerated in Section 33-1208, Idaho Code, may not be hired, and any applicant convicted of any felony offense listed in Section 33-1208(2), Idaho Code, shall not be employed.