Elementary School Counselor

UCC School staff are responsible for providing an educational atmosphere where students have the opportunity to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, social, physical and psychological growth. The School Counselor supports students' academic, social-emotional, and college/career development.

This individual collaborates with students, families, and staff to promote student success and well-being while fostering a safe and inclusive school environment. The counselor serves as an advocate and resource for students in navigating challenges and planning for their futures. Counselors are responsible for organizing and implementing a social emotional instructional curriculum/program that will result in students achieving academic, personal, and social emotional success in accordance with United Community Center's policies, procedures and curriculum guidelines.

The School Counselor plays a critical role in fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment. This position is responsible for promoting student well-being through the delivery of social-emotional learning lessons, proactive and responsive counseling services, and collaboration with

school staff, families, and community partners. The counselor contributes to a positive school climate and plays an active role in multi-tiered systems of support to help all students thrive academically, behaviorally, and emotionally.

UCC School staff are dedicated, compassionate, highly effective, reflective, collaborative, culturally responsive, and committed to the academic and social-emotional development of all students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Social-Emotional Learning & Mental Health Support

• Design, implement, and facilitate school-wide and classroom-based social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives aligned to evidence-based frameworks (e.g., CASEL).
• Provide Tier 1 social-emotional learning instruction in the classroom environment ensuring that all students receive consistent, developmentally appropriate instruction in self-awareness,

self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

• Provide short-term or long-term individual and group counseling to students experiencing social, emotional, or behavioral challenges, as well as crisis intervention for students experiencing trauma, grief, or sudden emotional distress.
• Implement preventative mental health supports and respond to crisis situations with appropriate interventions to ensure students in crisis receive timely, compassionate, and appropriate care.
• Collaborate with school staff to integrate SEL into daily instruction and school routines.
• Implement preventative mental health supports and respond to crisis situations with appropriate interventions and follow-up.

Student Support & Progress Monitoring

• Participate actively in Student Support Teams (SST), including MTSS, IEP, 504, and behavior intervention teams.
• Support the development, monitoring, and implementation of individualized student support plans.

• Analyze academic, behavioral, attendance, and social-emotional data to identify trends and recommend supports.
• Help guide decisions about tiered interventions, progress monitoring tools, and service adjustments.

Program Management & Scheduling

• A structured and intentional counseling schedule is developed and maintained to prioritize delivery of Tier 1 (core classroom lessons), Tier 2 (targeted small groups), and Tier 3 (individualized support).
• The schedule is designed to maximize the number of students served across all tiers, while balancing responsiveness to student needs and schoolwide priorities.
• The schedule is shared with and reviewed by school administration regularly to ensure alignment with school goals, staffing needs, and student support systems.

Family Engagement & Support

• Serve as a liaison between the school and families to promote strong home-school partnerships.
• Provide support and resources to families navigating academic, behavioral, or mental health concerns.
• Organize and participate in family education workshops and community outreach events.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress, support strategies, and available resources.

Collaboration & Consultation

• Work closely with teachers, administrators, student services personnel, and external service providers.
• Serve as a consultant to staff in the development of student behavior strategies and classroom support.
• Facilitate communication and coordination among support teams to ensure continuity of care.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional learning communities, and ongoing professional development.
• Ensure effective, transparent, and collaborative communications with school administration

Positive School Culture & Climate

• Support a positive and inclusive school environment where every student feels safe, valued, and connected.
• Promote positive and inclusive school environments conducive to learning where students are actively engaged in the learning process.
• Promote student leadership, character education, restorative practices, and school-wide wellness initiatives.
• Contribute to behavior support planning and the implementation of positive behavior interventions.
• Serve as a visible and approachable resource for students throughout the school day.
• Supports a positive environment in which students are encouraged to be actively engaged in the learning process.
• Implement consistent school rules and behavior expectations, promoting respectful and responsible behavior.
• Maintains order of students in the classroom, cafeteria, hallways, playground, and across the school environment.

Student Safety, Crisis Response, and Legal/Ethical Responsibilities

• Serve as a mandated reporter by promptly identifying and reporting any suspected abuse, neglect, or endangerment to Child Protective Services (CPS) in accordance with state law and district policy.
• Communicate all CPS reports and concerns regarding student safety and well-being directly and immediately to school administration to ensure alignment on next steps and school-based supports.
• Maintain thorough and confidential documentation of all reports, observations, and follow-up

actions, and communicate and inform school administration of concerns when needed.

• Uphold the highest standards of ethical practice, confidentiality, and student advocacy in all situations involving student safety and well-being, and communicate and inform school administration of concerns when needed.
• Support the school's crisis response procedures, including safety planning and coordination with emergency services when necessary.

Data Management & Documentation

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential student records, including notes, plans, interventions, and referrals.
• Collect and analyze data on service delivery, attendance, behavior, and academic outcomes.
• Report on student progress and the effectiveness of interventions to staff, families, and administration.
• Ensure all documentation complies with legal, ethical, and district guidelines.

Communication:

• Communicates effectively both orally and in writing, with students, parents and other professionals on a regular basis regarding students' progress, behavior, and upcoming events.
• Counsel's pupils' academic and behavioral attitudes and achievements with parents throughout the year
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences to discuss individual student performance and set goals for improvement.
• Collaborate with parents to support students' learning at home and encourage parental involvement in school activities.
• Models professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, peers and community.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with students, parents and other professionals.

Professional Development:

• Engage in continuous professional development to stay updated on the latest teaching methods, educational trends, and curriculum developments.
• Participate in staff meetings, workshops, and training sessions to enhance teaching skills and contribute to the school community.
• Participates in all required training and meetings, as well as school and UCC training, and meetings
• Facilitate PD and training for staff on topics that contribute to overall school success and positive school culture, as well as proper protocols for CPS reporting, responding to safety concerns, and mandated reporting.
• Attend pupil services meetings, buildings and/or grade level meetings, SST meetings, and other meetings as assigned by the supervisor.

Collaboration and Teamwork:

• Collaborate with colleagues, administrators, and support staff to create and enhance a cohesive and supportive educational environment.
• Work collaboratively with school administration and leadership team
• Work closely with special education teachers, counselors, and other professionals to provide individualized support for students with special needs
• Meets professional obligations through efficient work habits such as meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, collaborating with other staff, etc.

Records and Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of students' attendance, academic performance, and behavior incidents.
• Prepare progress reports, report cards, and other documentation in a timely manner, following school policies and procedures.

• Arranges classroom events and activities, and collects the appropriate documentation in advance of field trips and other school functions.

INTENDED OUTCOMES AND SUCCESS MEASURES:

• Increase student academic performance and engagement as a result of counseling support.
• Reduction in school wide behavioral referrals and suspensions as a result of individual or small group counseling support.
• Reduce rate of chronic absenteeism among supported students.
• School survey data demonstrates growth in student self-regulation, empathy, and/or confidence.
• High participation rates in school-wide initiatives (Kindness Week, Upstander Week, etc)
• Survey data indicates students feel safe, welcome, and supported at school.
• Active participation in IEP, 504, and MTSS (SST) meetings with contributions that reflect a whole-child perspective.
• Regular communication and coordination with families, teachers, school staff, and school administration regarding student needs.
• Timely and appropriate response to student crises, including documentation of intervention and follow-up.
• Effective and regular collaboration and communication with building and district administration to support school wide culture and wellness.

Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by their supervisor to support students, colleagues, or the school community.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrates Basic computer knowledge, basic knowledge of email, excel, word, Google forms and other Google applications.
• Demonstrates leadership in the classroom.
• Demonstrates attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates enthusiasm towards students, parents and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrate the ability to adapt to any situation inside and outside the classroom.
• Demonstrates organizational skills for the classroom and school environment.
• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills with students, families, school staff, and administration.
• Reply to email, telephone, face to face, or other communications and enquiries from all stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to multitask and prioritize work.
• Demonstrates the ability to self- reflect, and seek feedback to improve practices.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset committed to continuous learning, growth, and development.
• Demonstrates the ability to work as a team as well as independently.
• Demonstrates respect towards the students, parents, colleagues, and administrators.
• Demonstrates knowledge to work with students' special needs and parents.
• Handle sensitive information in a confidential manner'
• Demonstrate the ability to listen to others and remain receptive to new ideas.
• Demonstrate the ability to address criticism in an appropriate manner and develop constructive outcomes.
• Demonstrate sustained effort and enthusiasm in the quality and quantity of work.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with staff, students, and the community.
• Demonstrate effective time management, organizational skills, and prioritization of work to meet the needs of the users.
• Demonstrate motivation, initiative, flexibility, and the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrate excellent human relations and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates honesty, dependability, and the ability to meet deadlines and other professional expectations.

• Master's Degree in School Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field, and must possess a valid Wisconsin DPI certification/licensure as a School Counselor required. Experience working in K-12 educational settings, preferably with diverse student populations.
• Deep knowledge of SEL, trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and multi-tiered systems of support. Strong oral and written communication skills, collaboration, organization, and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Able to work independently with little direct supervision, work as part of a team, accept responsibilities, and be self-motivated.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to move around the classroom and school environment, including bending, kneeling, standing, walking, going up and down stairs, and sitting for extended periods of time.
• Visual and auditory acuity to supervise students and respond to classroom needs.
• Ability to exert up to 25 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects such as educational materials or classroom supplies.
• Must be able to monitor student safety and physically assist students when necessary (e.g., guiding younger students, supporting classroom transitions).
• Manual dexterity to operate computers, classroom technology, and teaching tools and to engage in repetitive movement of wrists, hands, and fingers (typing and/or writing).
• May require extended screen time for lesson planning, grading, or communication and to work frequently at close visual range
• Ability to receive and respond to oral communication.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is generally performed in a classroom/school/office environment with regular interaction with students, staff, and families, both inside the school campus environment, as well as occasionally outdoors (recess, field trips, dismissal, etc.).
• May require supervision of students in varied settings (classroom, hallway, cafeteria, playground, outdoors, etc.)
• Frequent contact with students, parents/guardians, support staff, and school administration.
• May involve occasional exposure to childhood illnesses, noise, and frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced educational setting.
• Work schedule generally follows the school calendar, and may include morning arrival and/or after-school responsibilities (e.g., meetings, family nights, or other school events).
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud (examples: classroom with children, lunchroom with several classes, recess at playground with several classes of students playing, loud voices during classroom play or during recess, working with computers and printers, light to moderate traffic, and human voices)
• May be required to operate a motor vehicle during the course of duties.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to help perform essential functions.
• UCC provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.