What are the responsibilities and job description for the PreK-5th grade School Counselor position at TeachIowa?
Job Summary: School Counselors provide guidance and counseling services to students and their families. They work in a school setting offering students’ social, emotional, and educational support. In performing their duties, guidance counselors develop and implement school counseling programs that enhance students’ success. As part of their responsibilities, school counselors monitor students to identify those with social problems, low self-esteem or learning disabilities. School counselors collaborate with parents, teachers and school administrators to implement strategies for enhanced social, personal and academic development in school children.
Qualifications: Appropriate teaching licenses issued by the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) in the state of Iowa, Professional School Counselor Endorsement from an accredited institution or related field of teaching, previous experience in teaching area, such alternative to the above qualification as the Board of Education may find appropriate and acceptable.
Work Days: 200 days
Reports to: Building Principal
Supervises: N/A
Evaluation: Performance of this job to be evaluated by the Building Principal
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Assist students in understanding and overcoming social, behavioral or academic problems
Provide group or individual counseling to address the needs of students
Evaluate students’ academic/career plans and assist them in setting realistic goals
Monitor and observe students to identify and address personal, emotional or social issues
Refer students to other mental health professionals for proper attention
Consult with families and staff to highlight students’ needs and discuss strategies necessary for improved social and academic performance
Plan and organize classroom counseling sessions to address career, academic, and personal development issues among students
Develop and implement school counseling programs effective in meeting students’ needs
Prepare students for transition to higher institutions and colleges
Ensure school curriculum and schedules meets the academic and developmental needs of students
Conduct student assessment and maintain records of test results
Implement programs for students with special needs or learning disabilities
Organize seminars to educate teenagers on the ills associated with drug and alcohol abuse
Listen to students’ concerns and offer recommendations effective in addressing academic or psychological problems
Guide and support school staff in implementing school advisory programs
Employ responsive counseling in establishing positive relationship between teachers, parents, and students
Contributes as a member of the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC), serving on committees, and attending meetings as directed
Serve as the district Section 504 MS/HS Coordinator
Assumes such other duties as may be assigned by the Building Principal and the Superintendent
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms using a keyboard and video display terminal. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and climb stairs. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employees encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequently perform work beyond a standard 40-hour work week when work-load requires.
The work environment is a standard school setting including standard office equipment, administrative and instructional computer technology. The noise level is usually low to moderate.
Other:
This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with this job. This job description is not a contract for employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
