Elementary School Counselor 26-27

School Counselor Position

We are looking for a counselor to join our school community and mental health team who is passionate about developing relationships with students and their families. The counselor should be dedicated to helping students achieve their highest personal and academic potential by removing or reducing social and psychological barriers to learning. They should be comfortable designing, implementing, and teaching a variety of social and emotional learning experiences. The counselor should be adept at scheduling and conducting individual and small group counseling sessions focused on student needs. They should thrive in innovative environments and be comfortable with the ambiguity that can come with a dynamic and progressive workplace. The counselor should lead and actively participate as a member of committees, teams, etc. They should be committed to continuous improvement, see feedback as a positive, and have a growth mindset.

Salary: Minimum Compensation (based on 100% FTE): $45,000 - $52,000 (Master's Degree) Number of Days per Year: 187 Benefits Eligibility: Medical, Dental, Group Life, Long-Term Disability, Vision (Optional)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The School Counselor is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive school counseling program to serve the academic, social, and career development needs of students enrolled in WPSD. Development and Management Uses data to develop and inform the school counseling program and evaluate the program's impact on the school's instructional goals. Collaborates on the development and management of the comprehensive school counseling program with the school administrator or instructional leader. Communicates and shares the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to stakeholders including students, families, and community partners. Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling programs based on the WPSD annual student achievement goals and aligned with the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Standards for School Counseling Programs. Uses the majority of the time (80%) to provide direct services to students through preventive and responsive services, including individual student planning, and uses the remaining time in development and management, system support, and accountability.

Preventative and Responsive Services Designs, implements, and assesses the guidance curriculum. Utilizes responsive counseling, initiating individual and group sessions for students' academic, social, and personal concerns. Consults with families and staff to appraise student needs and interests and to discuss appropriate recommendations for educational options. Plans, coordinates, and provides the classroom guidance sessions to meet the identified guidance and counseling competencies in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal and social development to assist students in developing decision-making skills and identifying life goals. Assesses student needs and makes referrals to appropriate school resource personnel, social agencies, community agencies, and alternative programs. Intervenes during crisis situations and participates on the school critical incident recovery team.

Individual Student Planning Prepares students for the transition to the next level. Plans and coordinates programs such as career fairs, test skills preparation, improved/perfect attendance celebrations, and other extensions of the counseling program to support students' knowledge of post-secondary options. Assist students in navigating their academic, workplace, and community experiences, through the use of individual student planning which includes individual career and academic plan (ICAP), student interviews, and other planning tools. (Secondary School Counselors) Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and career planning. Participates in school management teams in order to advocate for students needs and provide guidance for school staff.

System Support Guides, coordinates, and supports other school staff in implementing school wide advisory programs. Uses responsive counseling strategies to establish relationships and collaborate with educators, students, families, and community partners which reflect recognition of and respect for each individual. Assists families in obtaining services for their children through an appropriate referral and follow-up process. Serves as liaison between the social services agencies (i.e., Department of Human Service) and personnel from the various school systems. Assists teachers in understanding their students, including providing and interpreting student data. Provides in-service training on topics related to the school counseling program and supporting student achievement.

Accountability Conducts at minimum a yearly program audit to review the extent and quality of program implementation. Prepares and submits a variety of requested reports and data, to ensure fulfillment of established program requirements. Uses all available data, including academic grades, discipline referrals, and attendance data, to identify students in need and to deliver services. Interprets tests, student data, and other assessment results appropriately within the counseling environment for the purpose of developing and implementing academic plans for individual students.

Desired Qualities

Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education. Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations. Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of performance and is driven by a desire to produce student gains. Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions. Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations. Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning, and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others Dependability: Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under tight deadlines; successfully manages own projects through strong organization, detailed work plans, and balancing of multiple priorities. Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.

Qualifications

Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in school guidance and counseling. Meets the Colorado Department of Education certification requirements for the Special Service Provider School Counselor license and holds a current and valid certification as a professional school counselor. Ability to learn the student information system (Infinite Campus). Familiarity with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, ASCA National Standards, ASCA School Counselor Competencies, and ASCA School Counselor Performance Standards. 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.