Junior High School Counselor

Southeast Polk Junior High School Counselor (Grades 8 and
9) Qualifications

• Minimum Provisional Certificate issued by the Iowa Department of Education.
• Minimum Master's degree endorsed to meet the needs of the specific assignment.
• Demonstrated proficiency to perform specific assignment.
• Preference given to successful experience at assignment/subject level.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Reports to:

Principal

Supervises:
Students

To help students overcome problems that impede learning and to assist them in developing skills that hold promise for their personal fulfillment and development; to be a part of the district dedicated to being an educational organization committed to engaging all students to learn a challenging curriculum delivered through effective instruction.

• Aid students and the building in scheduling, data entry, and documentation.
• Lead guidance initiatives and engage in social/emotional and career programming.
• Assist students and families in the interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data.
• Discover and develop special abilities of students.
• Work to resolve students' educational barriers.
• Register students new to the school and orient them to school procedures and the school's various opportunities for learning.
• Identify students who are struggling in school or at risk of not making adequate academic progress, and make contacts with parents in order to resolve situations.
• Remain readily available to students so as to provide counseling that will lead each student to increased personal growth, self-understanding, and development.
• Work with students on an individual basis in the solution of personal problems related to such problems as home and family relations, health and emotional adjustment.
• Plan and deliver guidance curriculum in the classroom.
• Maintain all student records.
• Confer with parents whenever necessary.
• Provide in-service, professional development training in guidance-related areas for certified employees.
• Work with teachers and other staff members to familiarize them with the general range of services offered by guidance counselors.
• Take an active role in interpreting the school's objectives to students, parents, and the community.
• Coordinate and support district or building-wide assessments.
• Coordinate all outside guidance services.
• Other duties as assigned when need arises.

• Days of employment: 180 student days, 10 in-service days, 5 holidays (possible extended days on the contract)
• Those outlined in the negotiated SEPEA/Southeast Polk School agreement.

Evaluation:
This position evaluated by the Principal.

The statements of this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position. These statements are not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his or her supervision.

It is the policy of the Southeast Polk Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), genetic information (for employment), 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.

If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact, Joseph M. Horton, Deputy Superintendent, Equal Opportunity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator, Southeast Polk District Office, 8031 NE University Ave., Pleasant Hill, IA 50327, , joseph.horton. Inquiries or grievances may also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Des Moines, IA, , ; or the U.S. Department of Education, Region VII Office of Civil Rights, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago IL 60661.