Elementary Counselor K-6

Responsibilities

• Acting with Empathy and Compassion: Instills empathy and compassion in the organization's culture

 • Exemplifying Integrity: Acts in a fair and ethical manner toward others

 • Planning and Organizing: Plans and organizes group activities

 • Thinking Strategically: Processes complex information on aspects of an issue

 • Visioning and Alignment: Aligns team goals and actions

Direct Assistance to Students

 • Maintain a close relationship with a child's educational team following directives and recommendations as needed

 • Assist in the resolution of school-related problems

 • Provide responsive services including consultation, personal counseling, crisis counseling, and referral

 • Provide behavioral intervention support and individualized coaching to promote positive behavior, self-regulation, and social-emotional development

 • Implement proactive behavior support strategies and collaborate with staff to develop and monitor behavior intervention plans

 • Utilize de-escalation techniques and crisis response strategies to support students experiencing emotional or behavioral distress and maintain a safe, structured learning environment

 • Assist agitated, overwhelmed, or confused students in re-composing themselves during situations involving conflict, crisis, or personal setbacks

 • Provide for a smooth transition between elementary and middle/junior high, which may include orientation programs for students and parents

 • Provide a guidance curriculum consisting of structured developmental experiences presented systematically through classroom and group activities for all students

 • Assist students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the use of teacher comments, interpretation of individual standardized test scores, and other pertinent data

 • Display a positive professional attitude

 • Identify feelings and symptoms of stress, abuse, addiction, depression, and appropriate coping skills

 • Utilize multiple approaches when learning or teaching new things

 • Provide short-term, brief counseling for students that will assist them in developing increased personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity

 • Maintain a professional office environment

 • Provide interim assistance to students or parents with urgent needs

 • Maintain student records and ensure their confidentiality

 • Consult regularly with teachers and other staff to provide behavioral and social-emotional support strategies and receive feedback on emerging student needs

 • Deal with confusion and emergencies in a friendly, supportive, and calm manner

School & Community Collaboration

• Provide information to the Xavier community regarding guidance services or other relevant programs

 • Work closely with the school in interpreting the school's philosophy and objectives to students and parents

 • Participate in building meetings such as special education meetings and class meetings upon request

 • Assist in arranging education services for hospitalized or homebound students in conjunction with the special services staff

 • Assist with teacher/student and teacher/parent conflicts

 • Keep immediate supervisor informed of activities and any issues that may arise

 • Assume responsibility for continuing professional growth and development through attendance at professional meetings, membership in professional organizations, enrollment in advanced courses, and reading professional journals and other publications

 • Know and follow school district policy and chain of command

 • Perform other duties as assigned

Education:

Have completed (or are in the process of completing) a Master's Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology (preferred) and hold a Pupil Personnel Certification (or intend to apply for certification). 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

·      Knowledge of professional and ethical standards of practice.

·      Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding counselling, education and students.

·      Ability to use computer networks system and software applications as needed.

·      Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.

·      Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.

·      Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Additional Duties:

Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated by the Head of Schools.

  Note:   The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

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.

FLSA Status:      Exempt