Elementary Counselor (Fall 2026 start)

JOB TITLE:                                       Elementary Counselor
JOB SUMMARY:                           Position is responsible for the development of a counseling program at the local school level; establishing effective rapport with students; providing systematic and ongoing individual and group counseling services; providing information, consultation, coordination, testing and referral services designed to meet the needs of students, parents and staff; implementing federal, state and local educational mandates; and establishing good relationships with parents and with other staff members.
EMPLOYEE CATEGORY:             Certified

FLSA STATUS:                                ?Exempt       ?Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT HANDBOOK:    Negotiated Agreement

WORK PERIOD:                             As defined in the Negotiated Agreement
REPORTS TO:                                 Principal

WORKS WITH:                               Administrators, certified staff, support staff, classified staff
 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION LEVEL:                        Minimum of Master’s degree in counseling from an approved counselor preparation program.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION:        Current, valid South Dakota certificate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:        Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to use phone and computer; see and read computer screen and printed material with or without visual aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors, and on phone; and, to bend, stoop, sit on floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead.  May be required to meet sometimes strenuous physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform assigned duties including periodically lifting in excess of 50 pounds with assistance; control behavior through physical restraint; take appropriate action in emergency situations; and, follow procedures in a calm, responsible manner.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:        Usually works indoors in classroom environment.  Teaching, student supervision, bus/recess duty, or field trips may be performed outdoors or away from school.

TEA AREA BEHAVIORS OF EXCELLENCE:

1.       Ability to embrace the organization’s mission.

2.       Be responsible and follow through with important actions.

3.       Do the right thing even when no one is looking.

4.       Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy at all times.

5.       Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.

6.       Work together in a supportive manner by being dependable, trustworthy and flexible.

7.       Take personal ownership to improve.

8.       Communicate with sincerity, honesty and respect.

9.       Maintain a high degree of professionalism.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.       Develops/maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling program based on current individual school data.

2.       Provides leadership and collaborates with other educators.  Provides appropriate information to all staff related to the comprehensive school counseling program.

3.       Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services.

4.       Assists all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic and personal/social skills goals and plans.

5.       Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data for those students who are at risk socially or academically.

6.       Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs.

7.       Provides classroom instruction to students.

8.       Provides orientation of students to new situations.

9.       Consults and collaborates effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and other educational/community resources regarding students with identified concerns and needs.

10.   Implements an effective referral and follow-up process.

11.   Assists in the development and monitoring of 504 Plans, Behavior Plans, and IEPs.

12.   Coordinates standardized testing.

13.   Establishes, maintains, and monitors a variety of files and records pertaining to student counseling, guidance, and related matters.

14.   Participates as a member of the crisis team and provides immediate school-based crisis response.

15.   Serve as a resource for the school community, including referrals to outside agencies.

16.   Communicates regularly with parents or guardians to discuss and support student progress and/or needs.

17.   Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as requires by law, District policy, and administrative regulation.

18.   Continues personal professional growth and upgrading of skills including but not limited to certification requirements.

19.   Performs a variety of non-instructional duties, including curriculum and instructional development activities, student supervision, and advisory and consultation activities.

20.   Attends staff meetings, serves on staff committees, and accepts a share of responsibility for extracurricular activities/assignments.

21.   Performs health services, if needed, for which training will be provided.

22.   Completes all trainings and other compliance requirements as assigned by designated deadline.

23.   Works professionally with administration, staff, parents, and the community.

24.   Adheres to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.

25.   Adheres to the standards outlined in the South Dakota Code of Ethics for Educators and the policies of the District.

26.   Respect and practice confidentiality both in and out of school with regard to records, activities, and communications relating to all students, parents/guardians, and staff.

27.   Perform other duties as assigned by Principal or other appropriate administrator.

DISCLAIMER:      The preceding description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required.  These may be changed, added or deleted at any time with or without notice.  Personnel may be required to perform duties outside the scope of their normal responsibilities if needed.  The Tea Area School District reserves the right to revise this description at any time.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

Salary : $59,060 - $80,251