High School Counselor 2026-27 (anticipated)

Terms of Employment: 194-day contract with stipend for 10 additional days

Position Criteria:

• Master’s degree and Iowa license with Professional School Counselor 5-12 endorsement
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Previous teaching experience, preferred
• Student centered philosophy
• Strong communication skills - verbal & written
• Strong administrative/management skills

Performance Responsibilities

Personal Performance Criteria

• Works well with others, maintaining positive and effective communication with school personnel and students
• Contributes to creating a positive work environment
• Demonstrates integrity and respects confidentiality
• Arrives on time and works consistently until the end of his/her scheduled day
• Engages in professional growth opportunities related to his/her specific job
• Works independently and with confidence
• Demonstrates ability to grasp and adjust to new and changing situations
• Demonstrates initiative and ability to work without close supervision

Professional Performance Criteria

Personal Qualifications

• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations and works cooperatively with students, parents and staff.
• Project a positive image as an educator in the school and in the community - Promotes a positive image of the Johnston Schools respects differing points of view.
• Demonstrates an understanding and acceptance of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, gender, special needs and religious groups.
• Uses discretion in handling confidential information and situations.
• Actively supports expectations of student behavior outside of the classroom during the school day.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and manages stress in a constructive manner.

Guidance/Counseling Process

• Demonstrates the ability to help students make appropriate educational plans/life choices.
• Maintains and uses sources of information to guide students.
• Displays ability to help students see options, implications, consequences, and set goals.
• Knows and uses suitable resource materials, procedures, and models.
• Utilizes a variety of counseling skills, activities, and resources in meeting the needs of students.
• Develops objectives and conducts activities which are clear, meaningful, and consistent with student needs and building and district goals (parent conferences, staffings, teacher conferences, school orientation, job placement, group guidance).
• Exhibits mastery of counseling skills.
• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills (relationship with students, staff, administration, and parents).
• Uses time effectively.
• Provides input in curriculum improvement.
• Practices good listening skills (non-judgmental, empathic, understanding).
• Utilizes appropriate assessment activities.
• Knowledgeable of use of and interpretation of information and/or data.

Responsive Services/System Support

• Expresses concern for students regardless of cultural, academic, intellectual, emotional needs.
• Demonstrates understanding and acceptance of differences among individuals and groups, (i.e., racial, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, religious and handicaps.)
• Displays nonsexist/multicultural attitudes.
• Provides constructive strategies to students.
• Demonstrates sensitivity in communicating and working with staff.
• Works courteously and cooperatively with school personnel.
• Recognizes the need for and participates in teamwork for the improvement of instruction.
• Demonstrates willingness to share methods, materials, and ideas with co-workers.
• Provides constructive criticism to administrators and accepts it from them.
• Keeps administration informed of pertinent situations.
• Communicates with and informs parents concerning guidance and counseling services.
• Provides a climate which promotes effective communication with parents.
• Cooperates with parents in the best interest of students.             
• Demonstrates professionalism and professional growth.
• Establishes goals and initiates activities aimed at professional growth and development.
• Attends professional meetings (i.e., counselor’s meetings, faculty meetings, conferences, staffings, in-service) promptly and courteously.
• Maintains positive student/counselor rapport through understanding an acceptance of individual worth of student.
• Treats students in a manner which reflects an awareness of their developmental and emotional characteristics.
• Displays empathy and understanding when counseling students.
• Maintains professional confidentiality.
• Provides availability to meet with students, staff, and parents.

Professional Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth
• Keeps current with appropriate teaching content and instructional techniques and strategies (e.g. participation in professional organizations, workshops, conferences, including the development of technology skills)
• Applies knowledge gained through professional growth to the classroom
• Contributes and participates in a positive manner to building and district professional growth opportunities
• Works collegially to select and implement building and district goals
• Remains informed on building and district policies and works cooperatively toward their implementation
• Participates, when appropriate, in curriculum development and building/district assignments
• Provides requested data in a timely and accurate manner
• Meets responsibilities beyond the school day related to school functions
• Maintains a professional appearance appropriate to job responsibilities
• Assumes leadership roles (committee participation, department chairs, curriculum review, etc.)

Salary : $54,353 - $96,230