Counselor - Polk Alternative

Counselor - Polk Alternative JobID: 15613

• Position Type:

  Off-Site Teaching/ Secondary General Education

• Date Posted:

  6/16/2026

• Location:

  Polk Alternative Education Center

• Date Available:

  2026-2027 School Year

Middle School Counselor

SUMMARY:The Cedar Rapids Community School District is seeking a highly qualified 6-8 Professional School Counselor who can deliver a comprehensive School Counseling program directly to students through curriculum, individual student planning, responsive services, and indirectly through student-centered collaborations, consultations, and referrals.

ENDORSEMENTS: Counselor K-8 or Counselor 5-12

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND MINDSETS:

Works collaboratively with administration, school staff, parents, students, and community partners to deliver a comprehensive school counseling program.

Demonstrates creativity and critical thinking in assisting administration, school staff, parents and students in overcoming barriers to learning

Utilizes effective communication skills when interacting virtually, in-person, or in writing with administration, school staff, parents, students and community partners

Analyzes and uses data regularly to help inform decisions about programming, innovations, and interventions

In addition to the skills and mindsets listed above, the Professional School Counselor adheres to the role set forth by the American School Counselor Association:

Direct student services:

• school counseling core curriculum

• instruction - direct instruction, team teaching, developing learning activities

• group activities - planned activities outside the classroom promoting academic, career or social/emotional development

• individual student planning

• appraisal - assist students in evaluating interests, abilities, skills and achievement

• advisement - assist students in goal setting based on academic, career and social/emotional data

• responsive services

• counseling - in individual or small-group settings school counselors provide planned, short-term and goal-focused counseling. School counselors do not provide therapy or long-term counseling in schools; however, school counselors are prepared to recognize and respond to student mental health needs and to assist students and families seeking resources.

• crisis response - provide support and assistance to students and families as they navigate crisis and emergency situations

Indirect student services:

• consultation - share strategies supporting student achievement with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations

• collaboration - work with other educators, parents and the community to support student achievement

• referrals - support for students and families to school or community resources for additional assistance and information.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

MA in School Counseling required.

Experience as a school counselor or in classroom teaching is preferred. In addition, the specific skills/educational qualifications for this include:

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and implement ideas contained in technical documents, assessment data, professional journals and regulations. Ability to effectively write reports and communications to students, colleagues, parents and staff. Ability to effectively present information orally and respond to questions from administrators, teachers, staff and students. Ability to assist students in the areas of language and literacy.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to perform basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, decimals and fractions. Ability to assist students in implementing these mathematical concepts.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve problems effectively. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

REQUIRED DISPOSITIONS:

Believes that all children can attain high levels of learning.

Takes responsibility for the learning of our children and his/her own performance.

Possesses the knowledge and skills to build effective educational experiences that benefit all children.

Applies the principles of continuous improvement through the use of quality tools and processes.

Functions as an effective member of the educational/school team.

Won't shy from today's educational challenges.

Utilizes effective interpersonal skills.

Has a track record of success.

Works with great integrity.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Required: Iowa Teaching Certification with an endorsement in School Counseling or Professional Service License in School Counseling

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to apply knowledge of current research as it relates to the support of the Educational Goals of the District. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0 -24 inches and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this job. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 0 - 12 feet and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as curriculum materials, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus while supervising students and working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. workday. The employee will frequently work in different areas of the classroom including in/at desks, on or near the floor, standing, in movement while supervising indoor and outdoor activities, etc. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures but will work outdoors when supervising students outside of the classroom.

The information contained in this job description is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

It is the policy of the Cedar Rapids Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (employment only), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (students/program only) in its educational programs and its employment practices.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.

Federal law obligates an employer to provide reasonable accommodation(s) for the known disabilities of applicants, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer. If you or someone you know requires accommodation in the hiring process, contact the Executive Director of Human Resources, at View phone number on click.appcast.io.