Professional School Counselor

Muscatine Community School District•Muscatine, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The School Guidance Counselor will provide grade-appropriate counseling services to students. This role involves delivering counseling services in an age-appropriate manner throughout the 8-hour workday, including small group, classroom-sized groups, and programs that align with district-wide standards. The position is based on 8 standards and 43 criteria for evaluation, focusing on enhancing academic performance, supporting student achievement goals, and demonstrating competence in content knowledge, planning, instruction delivery, learning monitoring, classroom management, professional growth, and fulfilling professional responsibilities established by the school district.

Requirements

Appropriate State of Iowa counselor certification from BOEE prior to the start of each contract year.
Employee must be capable of working under stress with large numbers of students, parents and co-workers.
Mental acuity is required and mental and physical ability to manage workload is essential.
Communication Skills: Oral, Instructional, Students, Staff, Public
Writing: Lesson Plans, Students, Staff, Public
Content expertise: Courses available and appropriate course loads for advancement and retention.
Supervisory/Management skills: Number of people reporting to you: secretary or clerk Directly: 1 Ultimately: None
Decision impact: Employee, Department, Building, District
Specific skill expertise: Knowledge of student’s needs in your classes.
Able to work well with students, teachers, counselors, parents and other job-related persons.
Ability to work within the job description with independence and to make judgments and decisions.
Ability to collect and analyze student achievement data and have constructive conversations with students, parents, building administrators, and/or teachers about said student data.
Equipment proficiencies required: Audio equipment including projectors and video equipment
Basic understanding of the operation of building systems including security, intercom, telephone, fire and alarm systems
Operation of a personal computer that is linked to network so that the teacher can access student data, enters grades, performs on-line IEPS and receives email.
Human relations skills are essential.

Responsibilities

Shares performance/progress information with parents, students, teachers as needed.
Initiates and/or participates in the development of student intervention plans.
Counsels students regarding behavior, academics, work completion, classroom procedures and personal concerns.
Collaborates in the implementation of accommodations for specific students.
Facilitates social skills development.
Participates on planning teams that develop strategies that help students.
Communicates with students, families, colleagues, and communities effectively and accurately.
Understands and uses key concepts, underlying themes, relationships, and different perspectives related to the content area.
Participates in development of learning/behavior plans for staff, parents, students, agencies.
Refers parents to appropriate outside community resources.
Uses strategies/lessons that meet the needs of students through individual, small group or large group sessions.
Uses student data, local standards and the district curriculum in planning for instruction.
Participates in the development of social, behavioral and academic success of all students.
Uses student developmental needs, background, and interests in planning for intervention.
Uses strategies/interventions that benefit all students.
Refers students/families to supportive outside programs.
Collaborates with teachers in planning career programs, field trips, exposing students to a variety of career/work areas.
Utilizes district standards to develop curriculum and/or activities.
Exposes students to materials that promote career awareness.
Uses research-based instructional strategies in individual/small group and/or large group counseling.
Strategizes with parents and staff in developing individual plans.
Provides multiple types of activities that provide varied experiences to meet diverse needs and promotes social, emotional and academic growth.
Communicates special needs concerns regarding student/family with staff where circumstances are likely to affect academic/school performance.
Facilitates referrals to various youth organizations such as YM/YWCA, New Horizons, Community Health, and Family Resources.
Demonstrates understanding of and uses assessment data to develop effective intervention.
Communicates assessment criteria and standards to all students and parents.
Collaborates with staff and parents in using multiple assessments to guide planning and instruction.
Guides students in goal setting and assessing in their own learning.
Advises parents and staff regarding student behavior, social interaction skills and emotional well-being.
Collaborates with staff and other district leadership in analysis of student progress.
Creates a learning community that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement, and self-regulation for every student.
Establishes, communicates, models and maintains standards of responsible student behavior.
Develops and implements classroom procedures and routine that support high expectations for learning.
Uses instructional time effectively to maximize student achievement.
Creates a safe and purposeful learning environment.
Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning.
Works collaboratively to improve professional practice and learning.
Applies research, knowledge, and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice.
Establishes and implements professional developmental plans based upon the teacher needs to the Iowa Teaching Standards and district/building student achievement goals.
Adheres to board policies, district procedures, and contractual obligations.
Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct as defined by state law and individual district policy.
Contributes to efforts to achieve district and building goals.
Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for all learners and staff.
Collaborates with students, families, colleagues, and communities to enhance student learning.
Assist with annual building-wide goal development.
Provide student supervision (duty time) as grade level appropriate.
Actively participate in parent conferences and district in-services.
Other duties as assigned.