Elementary School Counselor - Sherman Elementary

About the role

The Elementary School Counselor plays a crucial role in promoting student success, providing preventive services, and responding to identified student needs. This position aligns with the ASCA model for school counseling programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop a site-based counseling program that aligns with the ASCA model for school counseling programs.
• Provide classroom guidance lessons based on counselor essential content guidance lessons.
• Provide additional classroom guidance lessons specific to building demographics and needs.
• Provide topical counseling groups for those students who need more intervention and who are “group appropriate”.
• Provide short-term individual counseling and make appropriate, timely referrals for continued services in the community.
• Consult with parents regarding school-related student difficulties or crises impacting the school.
• Serve as the site-based homeless liaison and collaborate and consult with district McKinney-Vento/Homeless Liaison.
• Aid new and transitioning students in acclimating to the school setting.
• Aid in the development and implementation of building-wide screening and referral processes.
• Support programming across the disciplines and grades to develop the achievement of building-level goals and to create a positive and safe learning environment for students and staff.
• Provide consultation regarding students who are experiencing educational or behavioral difficulties.
• Case manage students with a 504 Accommodation Plan.
• Participate in the evaluation, classification, and placement of students that are eligible for school-based services including but not limited to behavior plans, behavior assessments, and 504 Accommodation Plans.
• Assist in the building-level intervention process, such as but limited to RTI/MTSS/PBIS.
• Provide consultation, coordination, and referral support for the school staff and parents.
• Provide conflict resolution/mediation for school staff, parents, and students.
• Provide consultation, coordination, and referral support for students associated with federal programs.
• Congratulate with community agencies providing services in the school (i.e., Mentoring Network, Mental Health Provider).
• Regularly meet and collaborate with administration regarding the implementation of the counseling program and review data that supports the counseling program.
• Maintain a roster of current referral resources for parenting education, mental health support, and other appropriate community-based guidance.
• Seek assistance should emergencies arise.
• Assume responsibility for his/her own continuing professional growth and development by such efforts as attendance at professional meetings, membership in professional organizations, enrollment in advanced courses, and by reading professional journals and other publications.
• Adhere to all state, federal, and district laws and policies pertaining to students' education and well-being.
• Follow professional guidance delineated in the Ethical Standards of American School Counselor Association, and the American Counseling Association.
• Represent the school district in a positive manner.
• Know and follow school district policy and chain of command.
• Provides other counseling related services as needed.

Qualifications

• Current Idaho Pupil Personnel Certification with Counselor Endorsement.
• Master’s Degree in school counseling or related field, required.
• Two to Six Years of counseling experience in Elementary School preferred.

Skills

• Works well with students, staff, and the public.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Able to maintain a positive environment and high standards of conduct for students and peers.
• Understanding of curriculum.
• Treats all students with fairness and equality.
• Able to work under pressures and deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality of staff and students.
• Knowledge and proven ability in positive behavior management.
• Able to work effectively as a team member.
• Willingness to go above and beyond.
• Skilled in the use of internet, email, Microsoft Office and other pertinent educational software systems (attendance, gradebook, grade reporting, etc.).
• Capable of interpreting policy, procedures and data.

Problem Solving

• Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
• Consistently demonstrate ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary; organize job functions and work area to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frame.
• Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagram form.
• Establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagram form.
• Establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside and occasionally meets deadlines with severe time constraints.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Terms of Employment

• Certified
• Day Calendar
• Nampa School District #131 is an equal opportunity employer/educator with an alcohol, drug and tobacco free environment, and does not unlawfully discriminate in employment.
• Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all persons.