Work in Iowa Jobs

JOB TITLE: Counselor

LOCATION: Urbandale Middle School

CLASSIFICATION : Certified

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR : Building Principal

RECEIVES GUIDANCE FROM: Building Principal

Please review the UCSD Actions of Excellence (https://bit.ly/38382mc) to gain an understanding of the expectations for UCSD employees.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION : The counselor works cooperatively with parents, teachers, administrators and the Urbandale community in providing needed social/emotional support and direction to students. UCSD Counselors strive to ensure that all students have a positive school experience in which they develop a healthy self-esteem, the skills to interact and communicate productively in a global and technological society, and the maturity to make wise decisions in their daily lives and future planning. It is the counseling goal to encourage and nurture students as life-long learners, to use their unique potential in constructive, responsible, and satisfying ways.

QUALIFICATIONS :

(Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Education, Certification/Licensure, Experience, Equipment)

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities :

• Ability to communicate within the structure of the organization as well as the community. Clearly articulate goals and expectations to adults and students.

• Ability to organize and think clearly while communicating, organizing, and evaluating.

• Knowledge of district organizational structure and function, as well as laws, rules and regulations pertaining thereto.

• Working knowledge of the ASCA Model.

• Equity and Growth Mindset.

  Education :

  Master's degree in counseling required.

  Certification/Licensure :

• Iowa Education Certificate with a counseling endorsement.

  Experience :

• Classroom teaching experience required.

• Previous experience as a high school counselor and high school scheduling preferred.

  Equipment :

• Office equipment such as computers, two-way radios, multi-line phone system, cell phone, copier, and fax machines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Establish rapport with students through informal contacts.

• Work with individual students in counseling setting using techniques that apply to the age/development of the student.

• Provide crisis counseling in times of need.

• Provide small group counseling with students using various methods.

• Advise and counsel students regarding academic, personal/social, career and college readiness.

• Provide individual student planning and responsive services to support students and families.

• Schedule and facilitate all student intake meetings and provide orientation for new students at the school and familiarize the students and families with building best practices and procedures.

• Provide follow-up on individual referrals from all partner districts.

• Support building problem solving team in an effort to provide students with research-based academic, behavior, and social/emotional interventions into the curriculum.

• Support 504 plans along with the Building Administrator.

• Provide brief counseling to address social/emotional concerns and appropriately refer students to mental health services.

• Consult monthly with each partner district’s liaison concerning student's progress or more frequently as needed to ensure the student’s success.

• Consult with teachers concerning child's weekly progress and develop management strategies to meet the needs of individual students.

• Provide individual academic planning to support students college and career goals.

• Be a team-oriented person and bring strong skillset to the Building PLC team.

• Have a positive attitude.

• Maintain a working knowledge of the testing program, supporting MAP testing, ALEKS testing, and State Assessment Planning.

• Consult with educational specialists such as school psychologists, learning disabilities specialists, AEA specialists, social service, and mental health specialists.

• Maintain a reliable attendance record.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Experience:

• Future Ready Iowa Experience or Training

• Working knowledge of apprenticeship programs and application process

• Liaison work between our school and partner school districts

• Working knowledge of academic credits and how those credits transfer to other institutions

• Experience with or the ability to become familiar with Virtual Reality Trainers

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS :

• None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

• Satisfactory health as certified by a competent medical authority upon hire.

• Repetitious bending, lifting, and hand movement.

• Ability to work while standing, moving and/or walking.

• Drug, tobacco, and alcohol-free while working.

• Must be able to see and hear within normal limits with or without corrective lenses or hearing aids.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle used to travel between sites.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

• Majority of work is performed in an office or school setting.

• Occasional meetings outside the school day.

• Occasional exposure to body fluids, fumes, noise, and hazardous materials, and emergency situations.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT :

• Per Board Policies and the UEA Master Contract.

• Performance evaluated per Board Policy and the Professional Growth Assessment Plan.

  No student enrolled in the Urbandale Community School District shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in the District's programs on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, marital status (for program), ethnic background, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (for employment) or socio-economic background (for program). The policy of the District shall be to provide educational programs and opportunities for students as needed on the basis of individual interests, values, abilities and potential. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district office at 11152 Aurora Ave, Urbandale, IA or call 515.457.5000. The district's Equity Coordinator is Ms. Stephanie Davis, daviss@urbandaleschools.com.

Primary Location Urbandale Middle School

Salary Range Per Year

Shift Type Full-Time