Elementary Counselor

Position Criteria:

• Master’s degree and Iowa license with Professional School Counselor K-8 endorsement
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Previous teaching experience, preferred
• Student-centered philosophy
• Strong communication skills - verbal & written
• Strong administrative/management skills

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
• Arrives on time and works consistently until the end of his/her scheduled day
• Takes advantage of 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

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 - 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

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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.
• Demonstrates professionalism and professional growth.
• 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.

Professional Responsibilities

• 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.

Terms of Employment: 194-day contract

District Statement

Johnston Community School District is an equal-opportunity affirmative-action employer. It is the policy of the District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, creed, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, age, marital status in its employment and personnel practices. Johnston Community School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the Director of Human Resources, 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA 50131, 515-278-0470.