POSITION: Elementary School Counselor

CATEGORY: Certified

LOCATION: Elementary School

REPORTS TO: School Principal

SUMMARY: Promotes student success, provides preventive services, and responds to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive developmental school counseling program that addresses academic, career and social/emotional development for all students. To enable students to derive the fullest benefits from school by promoting their sense of self and by working to ameliorate mental health problems that may interfere with their adjustment to school and the education program offered to them.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a site-based counseling program that aligns with the ASCA model for school counseling programs.
• Provide classroom guidance lessons based on counselor essential content guidance lessons.
• Provide additional classroom guidance lessons specific to building demographics and needs.
• Provide topical counseling groups for those students who need more intervention and who are “group appropriate”.
• Provide short-term individual counseling and make appropriate, timely referrals for continued services in the community.
• Provide consultation to parents regarding school-related student difficulties or crises impacting the school.
• Serve as the site based homeless liaison and collaborate and consult with district McKinney-Vento/Homeless Liaison.
• Assist new and transitioning students in acclimating to the school setting.
• Assist in the development and implementation of building-wide screening and referral processes.
• Support programming across the disciplines and grades to develop the achievement of building-level goals and to create a positive and safe learning environment for students and staff.
• Provide consultation regarding students who are experiencing educational or behavioral difficulties.
• Case manage students with a 504 Accommodation Plan.
• Participate in the evaluation, classification and placement of students that are eligible for school-based services including but not limited to behavior plans, behavior assessments and 504 Accommodation Plans.
• Serve as a case manager as assigned and maintain appropriate case records.
• Serve as a consultant to parents, school personnel, and community groups on child development and mental health topics.
• Keep the staff and community informed of the schools’ mental health services.
• Observe students in the school setting i.e. classrooms, specials, etc.
• Cooperate with community health and social welfare agency personnel.
• Assume responsibility for his/her own 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.
• Maintain contact with service and community agencies to obtain and provide relevant information.
• Assist in building-level intervention process, such as but limited to RTI/MTSS/PBIS/.
• Provide consultation, coordination and referral support for the school staff and parents.
• Provide conflict resolution/mediation for school staff, parents and students.
• Provide consultation, coordination and referral support for students associated with federal programs.
• Coordinate with community agencies providing services in the school (i.e. Mentoring Network, Mental Health Provider).
• Regularly meet and collaborate with administration regarding the implementation of the counseling program and review data that supports the counseling program.
• Maintain a roster of current referral resources for parenting education, mental health support, and other appropriate community-based guidance.
• Assist in crisis intervention, management and referral.
• Seek assistance should emergencies arise.
• Assume responsibility for his/her own 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
• Adhere to all state, federal and district laws and policies pertaining to students’ education and well-being.
• Follow professional guidance delineated in the Ethical Standards of American School Counselor Association, and the American Counseling Association.
• Adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Idaho Teaching Profession adopted by the Professional Standards Commission and the State Board of Education.
• Represent the school district in a positive manner.
• Know and follow school district policy and chain of command.
• Provides other counseling related services as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Current Idaho Pupil Personnel Certification with Counselor Endorsement
• Master’s Degree in school counseling or related field, required
• Two to Six Years of counseling experience in Elementary School preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Works well with students, staff, and the public
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Able to maintain a positive environment and high standards of conduct for students and peers
• Understanding of curriculum
• Treats all students with fairness and equality
• Able to work under pressures and deadlines
• Maintain confidentiality of staff and students
• Track record of success with diverse children, including those with special needs
• Knowledge and proven ability in positive behavior management
• Ability to work effectively as a team member
• Ability to network in the community
• Willingness to go above and beyond
• Skilled in the use of internet, email, Microsoft Office and other pertinent educational software systems (attendance, gradebook, grade reporting, etc.)
• Capable of interpreting policy, procedures and data

COMMUNICATION/LANGUAGE SKILLS:Ability to read, analyze and interpret education periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, managers, employees, clients, customers, and/or the general public.

PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS: Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.

PRODUCTIVITY/EFFICIENCY SKILLS:Consistently demonstrate ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary; organize job functions and work area to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frame.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Able to conduct basic math functions and manipulate formulas in spreadsheets as needed.

REASONING ABILITY:Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagram form. Ability to define problems collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit; occasionally walk and stand and reach with hands and arms; occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds. May be required to block or redirect students during negative behavior. Be able to effectively supervise and support staff when consequences are implemented, including supervising physical restraint and seclusion if necessary for safety. Specific vision abilities required by this job includes close vision; very good depth perception; and the ability to communicate through speech.

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 individual’s disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside and occasionally meets deadlines with severe time constraints.

SALARY:According to the Certified salary schedule

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: School Counselor calendar days

Nampa School District #131 is an equal opportunity employer/educator with an alcohol, drug and tobacco free environment, and does not unlawfully discriminate in employment. Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodations to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the organization. The information contained in this job posting is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.