The East Union School Counselor demonstrates that he/she meets the following criteria and responsibilities:
Essential Job Requirements/ Qualifications
Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities
- Skills to communicate effectively, problem solve
- Knowledge of curriculum, education code, district policies, problem solving methodology
- Ability to sit for prolonged periods, maintain and verify completeness of records, meet schedules and deadlines, communicate with persons of varied cultural and educational backgrounds, communicate in oral and written form
Education
Master’s Degree in School Counseling, Licenses, Certifications
Job Summary
The job of school counselor is done for the purpose of coordinating a comprehensive counseling
program for all students in the district based on the Iowa Framework for School Counseling
Programs and its components (Guidance Curriculum, Individual Planning, Responsive Services,
System Support, and Student Advocacy), and to provide services to all students in the academic,
career, community involvement, and personal/social domains in concert with school staff,
parents, the community, and the students themselves.
The responsibilities of the School Counselor include the following:
1. The school counselor plans, organizes and delivers the school counseling program that is designed to meet the needs of the school
- Implements the school guidance curriculum through the use of effective instructional skills and careful planning of structured group sessions of all students.
- Facilitates the instruction of guidance lessons
- Encourages staff involvement to ensure the implementation of guidance curriculum, providing resources and in-service trainings as needed
2. The school counselor implements the Individual Planning Component by guiding individuals and groups of students and their parents through the development of plans that lead to educational and career success
- In collaboration with parents and staff, helps students plan toward success through goal-setting and organizational skills
- Provides accurate and appropriate interpretation of assessment data and the presentation of relevant, unbiased information
3. The school counselor implements the Responsive Services Component through the use of individual and small group counseling, consultation, and referral skills
- Provides counseling for individuals and small groups of students with identified needs/concerns
- Consults with parents, teachers, administrators and other relevant individuals to meet student needs
- Assists with referrals in collaboration with parents, administrators, teachers, and other school personnel
4. The school counselor implements the System Support Component through counseling
program management and support for other educational programs
- Discusses the counseling department management system and the program action plans with the school administrator
- Administers and evaluates a comprehensive and balanced counseling program in collaboration with school staff
- Provides support for other school programs and carries out “fair share responsibilities” as appropriate
- Is responsible for communicating information and requesting feedback on the counseling program with the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC)
- Collects and analyzes data to guide program direction and emphasis
5. The school counselor implements the student advocacy component to achieve student
success
- Works proactively to remove personal and social barriers to learning
- Empowers students to be advocates for themselves and others
- Is a student’s advocate, leader, collaborator and a systems change agent
6. The school counselor fulfills professional responsibilities
- Uses time and calendars to implement an efficient program
- Develops a results evaluation for the program
- Conducts a yearly program audit
- Uses communication and positive interaction with the entire school community
- Is committed to ongoing growth
- Possesses professional and responsible work habits
- Follows the profession’s ethical and legal standards and guidelines, as well as promotes cultural diversity and inclusively in school policy and interpersonal relationships
- Adheres to board policies, district procedures, and contractual obligations
- Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct as defined by state law and individual district policy
- Contributes to efforts to achieve district and building goals
- Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for all learners and staff
- Collaborates with students, families, colleagues, and communities to enhance student learning
7. The school counselor engages in professional growth
- Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning
- Works collaboratively to improve professional practice and student learning
- Applies research, knowledge, and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice