Middle School Counselor (Anticipated)

Johnston Community School District • Johnston, IA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Middle School Counselor, anticipated to begin soon. The role requires a Master's degree and an Iowa license with a Professional School Counselor 5-12 endorsement. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal, communication (verbal & written), and administrative/management skills, with a student-centered philosophy and previous teaching experience being preferred. The counselor will be responsible for guiding students in making appropriate educational and life choices, maintaining and utilizing resources, and developing clear, meaningful activities consistent with student needs and district goals. This includes conducting parent conferences, staffings, teacher conferences, school orientations, job placements, and group guidance sessions. The role also involves supporting career and postsecondary readiness, adhering to ASCA Standards, and providing responsive services and system support. The counselor must express concern for all students, regardless of their background or needs, and demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of diversity. They will work cooperatively with students, parents, staff, and administration, maintaining confidentiality and a positive attitude. Professional growth and development are key aspects of the role, including staying current with counseling techniques, attending professional meetings, and contributing to building and district goals.

Requirements

• Master’s degree
• Iowa license with Professional School Counselor 5-12 endorsement
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Student centered philosophy
• Strong communication skills - verbal & written
• Strong administrative/management skills

Nice To Haves

• Previous teaching experience

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
• Arrives on time and works consistently until the end of his/her scheduled day
• Engages in professional growth opportunities related to his/her specific job
• 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 - Promotes a positive image of the Johnston Schools respects differing points of view.
• 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.
• Helps 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.
• Develops objectives and conducts activities which are clear, meaningful, and consistent with student needs and building and district goals (parent conferences, staffings, teacher conferences, school orientation, job placement, group guidance).
• Exhibits mastery of counseling skills.
• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills (relationship with students, staff, administration, and parents).
• Uses time effectively.
• Provides input in curriculum improvement.
• Practices good listening skills (non-judgmental, empathic, understanding).
• Utilizes appropriate assessment activities.
• Knowledgeable of use of and interpretation of information and/or data.
• Supports career and postsecondary readiness.
• 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.
• Recognizes the need for and participates in teamwork for the improvement of instruction.
• Demonstrates willingness to share methods, materials, and ideas with co-workers.
• Provides constructive criticism to administrators and accepts it from them.
• Keeps administration informed of pertinent situations.
• Communicates with and informs parents concerning guidance and counseling services.
• Provides a climate which promotes effective communication with parents.
• Cooperates with parents in the best interest of students.
• Establishes goals and initiates activities aimed at professional growth and development.
• Attends professional meetings (i.e., counselor’s meetings, faculty meetings, conferences, staffings, in-service) promptly and courteously.
• 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.
• Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth
• Keeps current with appropriate teaching content and instructional techniques and strategies (e.g. participation in professional organizations, workshops, conferences, including the development of technology skills)
• Applies knowledge gained through professional growth to the classroom
• Contributes and participates in a positive manner to building and district professional growth opportunities
• Works collegially to select and implement building and district goals
• Remains informed on building and district policies and works cooperatively toward their implementation
• Participates, when appropriate, in curriculum development and building/district assignments
• Provides requested data in a timely and accurate manner
• Meets responsibilities beyond the school day related to school functions
• Maintains a professional appearance appropriate to job responsibilities
• Assumes leadership roles (committee participation, department chairs, curriculum review, etc.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level