Junior High / High School Counselor

Junior High / High School Counselor 

The Louisa-Muscatine Community School District is seeking a full-time 7th-12th Grade Counselor for the 2026-27 school year. This position would serve around 350 students.   

Louisa-Muscatine Schools is located along the Mississippi River south of Muscatine, Iowa. Our school name comes from being part of Louisa and Muscatine counties.  Included in our district are the communities of Grandview, Letts, Fruitland, Cranston, and Muscatine. With this population base, our school district has approximately 850 students.  Our schools are located as one large campus on Highway 61. The campus consists of a Preschool through 6th grade elementary building and a 7th through 12th grade secondary building. Also on campus is the football and track complex as well as the softball and baseball complex.

The Louisa-Muscatine district encompasses a harmonious blend of farm land, industry, business and growing residential areas. Although located in a tranquil, rural setting, we have quick access to many cultural centers and events in neighboring cities such as Iowa City, Davenport-Rock Island, Muscatine, Burlington, Chicago, St. Louis, and Cedar Rapids.   With our close location to larger cities and closeness to the recreational aspects of the Mississippi, Iowa and Cedar Rivers, our growing rural community benefits from its location, its resources, and its common-sense people.

Position Purpose:  To plan, organize and implement an appropriate instructional program in a secondary learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic potential. Work is performed under the supervision of the building principal and/or the district administrator.

Essential Functions

• Adhere to and support board policy, school guidelines, administrative rules and directives.
• Make him/herself available to all students seeking guidance and counseling services.
• Advocate on behalf of the student and/or his/her family. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students.
• Facilitate outreach efforts to provide services to students, parent/guardians and staff.
• Connect students, parents/guardians and staff with specialized referral agencies.
• Understand, evaluate, and interpret academic performance data. Interpret information about students to the student, their parents/guardians, and staff.
• Implement individual and group counseling methods that are appropriate.
• Conduct career and educational planning activities.
• Lead DCAP efforts.
• Participate in in-service activities promoted by the district.
• Submit required reports promptly and accurately.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Building Principal or District Administrator.
• ENGAGES IN PROFESSIONAL GROWTH.  The counselor:
  1. Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning.
  2. Works collaboratively to improve professional practice and learning.
  3. Applies research, knowledge, and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice.
  4. Establishes and implements professional developmental plans based upon the teacher needs to the Iowa Teaching Standards and district/building student achievement goals.
  5. Provides an analysis of student learning and growth based on teacher-created tests and authentic measures as well as any standardized and district tests
• FULFILLS PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITEIS ESTABLISHED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.  The counselor:
  1. Adheres to board policies, district procedures, and contractual obligations.
  2. Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct as defined by state law and individual district policy.
  3. Contributes to efforts to achieve district and building goals.
  4. Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for all learners and staff.
  5. Collaborates with students, families, colleagues, and communities to enhance student learning
  6. Guidance Counselors will perform other duties as assigned.
• SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. Provide classroom guidance lessons to all grade levels.
  2. Assist school nurse with health guidance and lessons.
  3. Work with tier I and tier II teams.
  4. Schedule students in appropriate courses.
  5. Consult with students, parents, and staff to assist students with academic/career planning.
  6. Meet individually with every 7-12 grade student and develop a career plan.
  7. Assist students with scholarship, college entrance, and financial aid applications.
  8. Serve as the School to Work, Education for Employment, Tech-Prep and District Assessment Coordinator (DAC).
  9. Schedule and coordinate Iowa Assessments as well as the ACT, PSAT, SAT, ASVAB, etc.
  10. Facilitate the Carl Perkins grant application process.
  11. Compile and submit data for the Course Offering Program.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.
                Note:    The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities.  It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to assess the needs of students in the classroom.
• Ability to work well with students, teachers, counselors, parents and others.
• Ability to work within the job description with independence and to make judgments and decisions.
• Possess a basic understanding of the operation of building systems including security, intercom, telephone, fire and alarm systems.
• Ability to operate a personal computer that is linked to network so that the teacher can access student data, enter grades, perform on-line IEPs (if applicable) and receive email.
• Ability to operate photocopiers, laminators, classroom and or lab equipment. 

Equipment
Uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.

Travel Requirements
Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
Works in standard office and school building environments.

Qualifications and Education

• Possesses a Master Degree in Guidance and/or School Counseling
• A current license as required by the Department of Public Instruction
• The State of Iowa Department of Education sets certification requirements and such licenses are issued through the Board of Educational Examiners..

Experience
A minimum of three years of teaching, counseling, or other experience working with secondary aged children preferred.

Evaluation 
Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Building Principal in accordance with the Iowa Department of Education guidance.

FLSA Status:       Exempt

It is the policy of the Louisa-Muscatine Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices.