Professional School Counselor

Muscatine Community School District•Muscatine, IA

8h•Onsite

About The Position

The School Guidance Counselor will provide grade-appropriate counseling services to students throughout the 8-hour workday. This role involves working with small groups, classroom-sized groups, and implementing programs according to 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

Hold an appropriate license issued by the State of Iowa Department of Education through the Board of Educational Examiners.
Appropriate State of Iowa counselor certification from BOEE prior to the start of each contract year.
Be capable of working under stress with large numbers of students, parents, and co-workers.
Possess mental acuity and the mental and physical ability to manage workload.
Ability 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.
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 a network so that the teacher can access student data, enter grades, perform on-line IEPs, and receive email.
Human relations skills are essential.

Nice To Haves

Lack of mobility may limit assigned locations.

Responsibilities

Share performance/progress information with parents, students, and teachers as needed.
Initiate and/or participate in the development of student intervention plans.
Counsel students regarding behavior, academics, work completion, classroom procedures, and personal concerns.
Collaborate in the implementation of accommodations for specific students.
Facilitate social skills development.
Participate on planning teams that develop strategies to help students.
Communicate with students, families, colleagues, and communities effectively and accurately.
Understand and use key concepts, underlying themes, relationships, and different perspectives related to the content area.
Participate in the development of learning/behavior plans for staff, parents, students, and agencies.
Refer parents to appropriate outside community resources.
Use strategies/lessons that meet the needs of students through individual, small group, or large group sessions.
Use student data, local standards, and the district curriculum in planning for instruction.
Participate in the development of social, behavioral, and academic success of all students.
Use student developmental needs, background, and interests in planning for intervention.
Use strategies/interventions that benefit all students.
Refer students/families to supportive outside programs.
Collaborate with teachers in planning career programs, field trips, exposing students to a variety of career/work areas.
Utilize district standards to develop curriculum and/or activities.
Expose students to materials that promote career awareness.
Use research-based instructional strategies in individual/small group and/or large group counseling.
Strategize with parents and staff in developing individual plans.
Provide multiple types of activities that provide varied experiences to meet diverse needs and promote social, emotional, and academic growth.
Communicate special needs concerns regarding student/family with staff where circumstances are likely to affect academic/school performance.
Facilitate referrals to various youth organizations such as YM/YWCA, New Horizons, Community Health, and Family Resources.
Demonstrate understanding of and use assessment data to develop effective intervention.
Communicate assessment criteria and standards to all students and parents.
Collaborate with staff and parents in using multiple assessments to guide planning and instruction.
Guide students in goal setting and assessing their own learning.
Advise parents and staff regarding student behavior, social interaction skills, and emotional well-being.
Collaborate with staff and other district leadership in the analysis of student progress.
Create a learning community that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement, and self-regulation for every student.
Establish, communicate, model, and maintain standards of responsible student behavior.
Develop and implement classroom procedures and routines that support high expectations for learning.
Use instructional time effectively to maximize student achievement.
Create a safe and purposeful learning environment.
Demonstrate habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning.
Work collaboratively to improve professional practice and learning.
Apply research, knowledge, and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice.
Establish and implement professional developmental plans based upon teacher needs to the Iowa Teaching Standards and district/building student achievement goals.
Adhere to board policies, district procedures, and contractual obligations.
Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct as defined by state law and individual district policy.
Contribute to efforts to achieve district and building goals.
Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for all learners and staff.
Collaborate 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.