Counselor - Elementary

Position Type:
Certificated/Counselor, Librarian

Date Posted:
4/16/2026

Location:
To be determined

Date Available:
09/02/2026

Closing Date:
Until Filled
SCHOOL COUNSELOR

POSITION SUMMARY : The school counselor works with the principal and the Coordinator of Counseling Services in carrying out the guidance and counseling program of Federal Way Public Schools and in alignment with the American School Counselor Association National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs. The counselor is responsible for the professional quality of the program in individual schools and for the consistency of the program as it relates to established policies and procedures of the Federal Way Public Schools. School counselors promote the success of all students through the implementation of this comprehensive school counseling program that address the academic, career, and personal/social needs of students. The counselor is culturally competent and a leader for equity and social justice for each Federal Way Public Schools scholar.

Delivery system

Elementary School

Middle School

High School


Guidance Component
(classroom and small group guidance)

40%-45%

25%-35%

15%-25%

Individual Student Planning

5%-10%

15%-25%

25%-35%

Responsive Services

30%-40%

30%-40%

25%-35%

System Support

10%-15%

10%-15%

15%-20%

Other non-guidance

0%

0%

0%

(ASCA National Model Recommendation)


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Guidance Curriculum

• Delivers and implements effective instructional skills and careful planning of structured classroom lessons as needed and based on data
• Provides direct services through the guidance curriculum, individual student planning and preventive and responsive services and most remaining time in program management, system support and accountability
• Provides leadership and collaborates with other educators in the schoolwide integration of the guidance curriculum
• Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals in service of the strategic plan
• Conducts effective classroom presentation to students in collaboration with administration and teachers that align to the school and district goals

Individual Student Planning

• Maintain and input accurate student reords in the student information system
• Assists all students, individually or in groups with developing academic, career and persona/social skills, goals and plans
• Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data through frequent progress monitoring efforts to inform decisions
• Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational, college and career planning
• Ensures the smooth transition between levels as well as to post-secondary options
• Consults with teachers on individual students, on development stages of youth and on intervention and prevention strategies

Preventive and Responsive Services

• Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs
• Consults and collaborates effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and other educational/community resources regarding students with identified concerns or needs
• Advocates for equity and access for all students
• Provides staff with resources to accommodate individual differences and needs of students
• Implements an effective referral and follow up process
• Manages and communicates a clear means for counseling referral and other access to counseling services
• Accurately and appropriately uses assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services
• Monitors student academic performance, behavior and attendance and assists with appropriate preventions/intervention services
• Understands and applies response to intervention, positive behavior intervention supports, and restorative practices and multi-tiered system of supports

System Support

• Provides appropriate information to staff related to the school counseling program
• Informs staff of services provided by the school counselor and how to access those services
• Assists teachers, parents/guardians and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding student data
• Actively participates in PLCs teams with teachers and administrators
• Participates in professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills
• Uses available technology resources to enhance the school counseling program
• Adheres to laws, policies, procedures and ethical standards of the school counseling profession
• Participates on school guidance team and serves on building and district committees
• Monitors/supervises student activities as appropriate
• Advocates and collaborates to create systemic change to improve the academic and career success of all students
• Work cooperatively with others in achieving common goals supporting Professional Learning Communities.

The preceding list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Current Washington Educational Staff Associate School Counselor certificate

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with a comprehensive school counseling program
Demonstrates understanding of the American School Counselor Association framework for School Counseling programs


CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Criminal background clearance
Valid Washington State Driver's License
Willing to learn job related computer skills
Maintain a current ESA Certified Washington State Teacher's Certificate


KNOWLEDGE OF:
School board policies and procedures


ABILITY TO:
Organize and perform job responsibilities efficiently and independently without close supervision and able to pay strict attention to detail
Speak, read and follow written or verbal communications
Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines
Develop and maintain positive customer relations with staff and service providers
Work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers
Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
Relate effectively with parents, staff, students and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community
Perform job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations


REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future."
Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.


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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.


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.


While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions and regularly works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.


WORK SCHEDULE
This position typically works Monday through Friday, 180 days per year and most often 7.5 hours/day


REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports to, and is evaluated by the Director of College and Career Readiness or Designee


REPRESENTATION
Federal Way Education Association (FWEA)


LEVEL OF COMPENSATION
Federal Way Education Association (FWEA) Salary Schedule.
This position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE - Medical, dental vision, wellness leave, life insurance, retirement, professional development dollars.


CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Update 03/2016


Disclaimer
The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.
All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.
Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.