Long-Term Substitute Elementary Counselor
About The Position
Location: Timber Ridge Elementary Assignment Length: February 16 - March 30, 2026 Days & Hours: Monday - Friday 7:50 a.m. - 3:50 p.m. Pay Rate: $165 per day for days 1-10, $185 per day for days 11-20, $235 per day for days 21 and beyond Position Criteria: Valid Iowa Teaching license required Master’s degree and Iowa license with Professional School Counselor K-8 endorsement perferred Strong interpersonal skills Student-centered philosophy Strong communication skills - verbal & written Performance Responsibilities Personal Performance Criteria Works well with others, maintaining positive and effective communication with school personnel and students Contributes to creating a positive work environment Demonstrates integrity and respects confidentiality Works independently and with confidence Demonstrates ability to grasp and adjust to new and changing situations Demonstrates initiative and ability to work without close supervision Professional Performance Criteria Personal Qualifications Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations and works cooperatively with students, parents and staff Project a positive image as an educator in the school and in the community Demonstrates an understanding and acceptance of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, gender, special needs and religious groups Uses discretion in handling confidential information and situations Actively supports expectations of student behavior outside of the classroom during the school day Demonstrates a positive attitude and manages stress in a constructive manner Guidance/Counseling Process Demonstrates the ability to help students make appropriate educational plans/life choices. Maintains and uses sources of information to guide students. Displays ability to help students see options, implications, consequences, and set goals. Knows and uses suitable resource materials, procedures, and models. Utilizes a variety of counseling skills, activities, and resources in meeting the needs of students. Demonstrates good interpersonal skills (relationship with students, staff, administration, and parents). Uses time effectively. Practices good listening skills (non-judgmental, empathic, understanding). Responsive Services/System Support Expresses concern for students regardless of cultural, academic, intellectual, emotional needs. Demonstrates understanding and acceptance of differences among individuals and groups, (i.e., racial, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, religious and handicaps.) Displays nonsexist/multicultural attitudes. Provides constructive strategies to students. Demonstrates sensitivity in communicating and working with staff. Works courteously and cooperatively with school personnel. Keeps administration informed of pertinent situations. Communicates with and informs parents concerning guidance and counseling services. Cooperates with parents in the best interest of students. Demonstrates professionalism. Maintains positive student/counselor rapport through understanding an acceptance of individual worth of student. Treats students in a manner which reflects an awareness of their developmental and emotional characteristics. Displays empathy and understanding when counseling students. Maintains professional confidentiality. Provides availability to meet with students, staff, and parents. Professional Responsibilities Remains informed on building and district policies and works cooperatively toward their implementation Provides requested data in a timely and accurate manner Maintains a professional appearance appropriate to job responsibilities
Requirements
- Valid Iowa Teaching license required
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Student-centered philosophy
- Strong communication skills - verbal & written
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree and Iowa license with Professional School Counselor K-8 endorsement perferred
Responsibilities
- Works well with others, maintaining positive and effective communication with school personnel and students
- Contributes to creating a positive work environment
- Demonstrates integrity and respects confidentiality
- Works independently and with confidence
- Demonstrates ability to grasp and adjust to new and changing situations
- Demonstrates initiative and ability to work without close supervision
- Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations and works cooperatively with students, parents and staff
- Project a positive image as an educator in the school and in the community
- Demonstrates an understanding and acceptance of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, gender, special needs and religious groups
- Uses discretion in handling confidential information and situations
- Actively supports expectations of student behavior outside of the classroom during the school day
- Demonstrates a positive attitude and manages stress in a constructive manner
- Demonstrates the ability to help students make appropriate educational plans/life choices.
- Maintains and uses sources of information to guide students.
- Displays ability to help students see options, implications, consequences, and set goals.
- Knows and uses suitable resource materials, procedures, and models.
- Utilizes a variety of counseling skills, activities, and resources in meeting the needs of students.
- Demonstrates good interpersonal skills (relationship with students, staff, administration, and parents).
- Uses time effectively.
- Practices good listening skills (non-judgmental, empathic, understanding).
- Expresses concern for students regardless of cultural, academic, intellectual, emotional needs.
- Demonstrates understanding and acceptance of differences among individuals and groups, (i.e., racial, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, religious and handicaps.)
- Displays nonsexist/multicultural attitudes.
- Provides constructive strategies to students.
- Demonstrates sensitivity in communicating and working with staff.
- Works courteously and cooperatively with school personnel.
- Keeps administration informed of pertinent situations.
- Communicates with and informs parents concerning guidance and counseling services.
- Cooperates with parents in the best interest of students.
- Demonstrates professionalism.
- Maintains positive student/counselor rapport through understanding an acceptance of individual worth of student.
- Treats students in a manner which reflects an awareness of their developmental and emotional characteristics.
- Displays empathy and understanding when counseling students.
- Maintains professional confidentiality.
- Provides availability to meet with students, staff, and parents.
- Remains informed on building and district policies and works cooperatively toward their implementation
- Provides requested data in a timely and accurate manner
- Maintains a professional appearance appropriate to job responsibilities
