Middle School Counselor

PURPOSE


The School Counselor implements and leads a comprehensive school counseling program designed to support all students in achieving academic success and developing the social, personal, and emotional skills necessary for lifelong growth. Through advocacy, collaboration, and leadership, the counselor partners with students, families, teachers, and administrators to design, deliver, and evaluate data-informed programs and services that address identified student needs. By providing preventive, developmental, and responsive supports, the School Counselor promotes equitable access to opportunities and fosters a safe, inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.


SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED


Receives direct supervision from the building administrator(s) and the district administrator of Counseling and Student Services. Incumbents implement a comprehensive school counseling program and perform a full range of duties assigned in this work: primarily within the school site environment, with occasional travel between schools or other district-related responsibilities. Incumbents provide functional direction at the school site.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES


Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Develop, implement, and annually update a written, data-driven comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the American School Counselor Association National Model and tailored to the specific needs of the school community.
• Utilize current site and student data to design, deliver, and evaluate counseling services and program outcomes.
• Provide individual counseling, small group counseling, and district-approved classroom instruction to promote students' academic achievement and personal, social, emotional, and career development using a variety of strategies.
• Deliver preventive, developmental, and responsive services that foster student well-being and academic success.
• Serve as a student advocate to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities and appropriate supports.
• Provide crisis intervention and short-term responsive counseling for students; offer consultation and support to parents/guardians and staff as needed.
• Coordinate and facilitate referrals to school- and community-based resources to address student and family needs. • Assist students and families with course selection and guide individual academic and placement decisions.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and support staff in team meetings to develop and implement plans addressing students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
• Communicate proactively with parents/guardians regarding consistent or significant changes in a student's academic performance, behavior, or self reported well-being.
• Partner with the school principal and Counseling and Student Services Administration to ensure alignment of counseling services with school and district goals.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and records in accordance with district policies and professional standards.
• Perform other related duties as required.


Essential Duties - Level-Specific Responsibilities:


Elementary School Counselor: 188 Day/Year. At the elementary level, the school counselor delivers developmentally appropriate classroom lessons focused on foundational life skills such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and positive peer interaction. The counselor provides individual and small group counseling to support students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional development. In collaboration with teachers, parents/guardians, and intervention teams, the counselor identifies student needs, implements targeted supports, and communicates available resources. The elementary counselor fosters a positive and inclusive school climate, may facilitate parent education opportunities, and serves as the case manager for the implementation and compliance of Section 504 plans.


Middle School Counselor: 203 Day/Year. At the middle school level, the counselor reinforces and expands life skills instruction with an emphasis on decision-making, goal setting, peer relationships, and self-advocacy. The counselor develops and monitors each student's individualized academic plan, meeting with students and families to support academic planning and future readiness. Increased individual counseling is provided to address peer concerns, social dynamics, and emerging adolescent issues. The counselor collaborates closely with staff and families, coordinates referrals to outside resources as needed, and serves as the case manager for Section 504 plan implementation and compliance.


High School Counselor: 208 Day/Year. At the high school level, the counselor focuses on academic planning, scheduling, credit monitoring, and ensuring students remain on track for graduation. The counselor supports students in exploring and preparing for postsecondary options, including college, career, military, and professionaltechnical pathways, aligning academic choices with long-term goals. Through collaboration with students, families, and staff, the counselor addresses barriers to graduation and promotes postsecondary readiness. The high school counselor also serves as the case manager for Section 504 plan implementation and compliance.


College and Career Counselor: 193 Day/Year. The College and Career Counselor works primarily within the high school College and Career Center, concentrating on postsecondary transition and preparation. This role includes guiding students and families through college admissions, career exploration, scholarship opportunities, financial aid processes, and advanced learning options. The counselor organizes events such as college and career fairs, campus visits, and parent information programs, and builds partnerships with colleges, businesses, and community organizations to expand student opportunities beyond high school.


Drug Prevention Counselor: 193 Day/Year. The Drug Prevention Counselor implements a comprehensive, school-based prevention program designed to promote lifelong well-being and informed decision-making. Through classroom instruction, small group interventions, and individual support, the counselor provides education on substance abuse prevention and resilience-building strategies. The role emphasizes collaboration with families, staff, and community partners to foster a safe and supportive school culture that encourages healthy choices. The counselor also connects students and families to community resources when needed and uses program data to evaluate and strengthen prevention efforts.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS


Knowledge of:
• The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, including professional responsibilities, confidentiality requirements, and decision-making frameworks.
• Applicable federal and state laws and regulations related to education, student services, confidentiality, mandated reporting, special education, and student rights (e.g., FERPA, child protection laws), as well as district policies and procedures.
• School and district policies, codes of conduct, and safety protocols, including the school crisis response plan and the counselor's role within multidisciplinary crisis teams.
• Counseling theories, evidence-based practices, and intervention strategies appropriate for children and adolescents, including individual and group counseling techniques.
• Principles of human growth and development, learning theory, mental health, and the social, emotional, and behavioral factors that impact student achievement.
• Identification, assessment, and short-term intervention strategies for behavioral and emotional concerns, with knowledge of referral processes and community resources.
• Culturally responsive practices, multicultural competencies, and awareness of societal trends that affect students, families, and school communities.
• Data collection, analysis, and assessment methods used to inform educational planning, program evaluation, and continuous improvement of counseling services.
• Curriculum design principles, instructional strategies, and classroom management techniques for delivering developmentally appropriate school counseling lessons.
• Leadership principles, collaboration strategies, conflict resolution techniques, and organizational practices that support effective teamwork and student advocacy.


Ability to:
• Establish rapport and build trusting, respectful relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners.
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and positively in both oral and written formats, including presentations, reports, and parent/guardian correspondence.
• Demonstrate strong active listening skills, empathy, and sound judgment to accurately assess concerns and guide individuals and groups toward constructive solutions.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of stress, trauma, abuse, neglect, addiction, anxiety, and depression, and respond appropriately through intervention, reporting, and referral in accordance with policy and law.
• Maintain strict confidentiality while exercising ethical decision-making and professional discretion.
• Apply culturally responsive practices and demonstrate sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.
• Utilize multiple approaches when learning or teaching new things.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to design and implement student support plans.
• Manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining flexibility and adapting to changing priorities and emergent student needs.
• Demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills to meet deadlines, maintain accurate documentation, and prepare clear, concise reports.
• Utilize technology effectively, including student information systems, data management tools, virtual meeting platforms, and standard office software applications.
• Operate standard office equipment and maintain organized, accurate records in compliance with district and legal requirements.
• Exercise leadership, initiative, and professionalism in supporting school and district goals.
• Attend and actively participate in district, school, and job-related meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.


QUALIFICATIONS
• Master's degree in School Counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Valid Idaho State Department of Education Pupil Personnel Services Certificate with a School Counselor (K-12) endorsement, or eligibility to obtain and maintain such certification as required by state law.
• Related work experience preferred.


ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES
• Clear speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, enabling effective communication
• Visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, for comprehending written work, preparing documents, and organizing materials
• Manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, for repetitive motions and operation of office equipment, including the ability to physically restrain a student if necessary
• Sufficient mobility, flexibility, and balance, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform tasks in an office setting, including lifting or moving objects weighing up to 20 lbs.
• Job tasks may require, with or without reasonable accommodation, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping
• A valid Idaho Driver's License and access to a vehicle for job-related travel is required


EVALUATION


Yearly by supervisor


TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT


To be determined by calendar year. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job. • As per Idaho Code 65-5-1/65-503: "Eligible veterans are provided advantages in public employment in Idaho..."