MIddle School Counselor

Position Title:  School Counselor- Middle School

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Reports to:  Building Principal

POSITION PURPOSE

Gilbert Middle School added a second school counselor, in the 2022-23 school year.  Regularly recognized as a top middle school in Iowa, GMS strives to foster our students' social, emotional, and academic growth and is seeking quality candidates to help provide support to students, teachers/staff, and families with the overarching goal to improve student success for ALL students.  School counselors at GMS teach a class, along with working with students individually and/or in small or large group settings with a focus on academic and social-emotional skills.  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional School Counselor endorsement required
• Iowa BOEE licensure required
• Mandatory Reporter required
• Experience as a school counselor preferred
• Experience working with middle school students preferred

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Social/Emotional Responsibilities:

Provide social and emotional support to students and families

Serve as liaison with outside agencies and support systems

Refer students as appropriate to outside support services

Provide crisis counseling as appropriate

Provide in-service education for professional staff as appropriate

Assist students in developing effective learning, social, and self-advocacy skills

Provide appropriate communication with students, faculty, parents/families, outside agencies and resources, and the community.

• Academic and Career Responsibilities:

Assist in monitoring and supporting students' academic progress

Assist in special learning needs planning (ie., 504 plans, IEPs, etc)

Assist with standardized testing

Attend relevant trainings as appropriate for this role

Collect and provide reliable, valuable, and comprehensive data

Develops and implements programming associated with core curriculum and behavioral skills to be delivered in a classroom setting for assigned students.

Assists in planning and delivery of social/emotional/behavioral school-wide programming.

Collaborates with the administration, staff, parents and students on matters pertaining to academic achievement and social/emotional/behavioral goals.

Maintains appropriate records and protects the confidentiality of data.

• Essential Functions:

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and implement ideas contained in technical documents, assessment data, professional journals and regulations.  

Ability to effectively write reports and communications to students, colleagues, parents and staff.   

Ability to effectively present information orally and respond to questions from administrators, teachers, staff and students.

Provides direct instruction to students in individual, small group, and/or full classroom settings

Use a variety of instructional strategies and materials designed to meet the varied needs of individual students

Develops objectives for lessons and units that provide students with a clear understanding of the expected learning outcomes

Uses assessments, both formative and summative, to guide and adjust learning activities to meet the needs of our students  

Provides timely and specific feedback to enhance student growth

Develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner

Builds positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues

Collaborates with appropriate building and district personnel regarding curriculum, instruction, assessment and/or student needs

Demonstrates initiative and ability to work without close supervision

Displays a positive attitude and adjusts to new changing situations

Meets deadlines, is punctual, and completes assigned tasks with minimal assistance

Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, administrative guidelines, or specific program requirements

Adheres to the Iowa Teaching Standards

Other duties as assigned by the principal

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND VISUAL EFFORT

Continuous speaking, hearing, and visual effort. Frequent walking, sitting, standing, and reaching. High degree of concentration requiring continuous and often intense mental and visual attention. Numerous irregularities, complicated and complex tasks are involved. Must have the ability to lift fifty or more pounds on a repetitive basis. Mobility required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed in a classroom setting, may include playground supervision and working with students in other settings. Occasionally exposed to dust, noise, odors, and other irritants. Stress associated with work pace and pressure. Work involves regular hours and days as set forth by the Board-approved calendar. Some travel may be required. Exposed to hazards of the road when traveling.

The Gilbert Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  It is the policy of the Gilbert Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices.  There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination.  The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.  Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time unless restricted by a negotiated contract.