Elementary School Counselor 1.0 FTE - Stepney Elementary

Elementary School Counselor = 1.0 FTE position

Position Purpose
The elementary school counselor is responsible for providing social and emotional support to students and families in grades K-5. Their primary role is to help students navigate the challenges and conflicts that arise during their early school years. 

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Some of the main responsibilities of an elementary school counselor include:
• Individual counseling: Meeting one-on-one with students to provide guidance and support for a range of issues such as self-esteem, friendship problems, family difficulties, and academic struggles.
• Group counseling: Organizing and leading group counseling sessions to address common issues faced by students, such as anger management, social skills, and stress management.
• Classroom lessons: Collaborating with teachers to deliver classroom lessons on topics such as bullying prevention, conflict resolution, character development, and study skills.
• Crisis intervention: Assisting students during times of crisis or emergencies, such as the death of a family member, natural disasters, or traumatic events.
• Academic planning: Helping students set academic goals, develop effective study habits, and make informed decisions about course selection and extracurricular activities.
• Parent collaboration: Working closely with parents and guardians to address their concerns, provide support, and offer resources for supporting their child's social-emotional development.
• Referral and coordination: Collaborating with other school professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, and administrators, to refer students for additional services or interventions as needed.
• Child advocacy: Serving as an advocate for students' needs and working with teachers and administrators to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
• Documentation and assessment: Keeping accurate records of counseling sessions, conducting assessments and evaluations to measure student progress, and preparing reports as necessary.
• Professional development: Engaging in ongoing professional development activities to stay up-to-date with best practices in counseling and to expand knowledge and skills in relevant areas.
• Section 504 Facilitator -  Overseeing and coordinating the implementation of Section 504 plans in an educational setting by  scheduling and facilitating meetings with students, parents, and teachers to develop, review, and update Section 504 plans.
• Intervention Committee (SBRI): Focusing on providing targeted interventions to students who are struggling academically or behaviorally by  collaborating with other educators and specialists to identify students in need of additional support, particularly those who are falling behind grade-level expectations. 

Overall, the elementary school counselor plays a crucial role in promoting students' well-being, fostering positive social-emotional growth, and supporting their academic success.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.
                Note:    The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities.  It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment
Uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.

Travel Requirements
Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
Works in standard office and school building environments.
                Note:    Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Job Duties for this position.

Experience
Experience for the appropriate grade level preferred as a school counselor.

Qualifications Profile

• Current state of Connecticut certification

Education

• Bachelors from an accredited college or university in education discipline applicable to teaching assignment.
• Masters Degree preferred.

FLSA Status:       Exempt