Counselor- Elementary

WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT

POSITION DESCRIPTION

AREA: School Counselor

LOCATION: Muldown Elementary School

Whitefish School District seeks an Elementary School Counselor to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. With the support of our community, Whitefish School District creates an educational environment where each student can reach their academic potential, prepare for career opportunities and become engaged citizens.

The Whitefish School District seeks educators with a track-record of raising student achievement to join the team of educators already dedicated to providing a deeper learning instructional program to all students. At Whitefish Public Schools, educators are leaders who play an integral role in ensuring student success through the support of our school culture, the development and instruction of a rigorous curriculum, and the use of data to drive their daily practice.

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT:

Provides support services for all students, assisting in the facilitation of student learning and their school success. Provide support to promote and fulfill each student's potential for intellectual, emotional, psychological and physical growth and maturation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Valid Montana educator license with School Counselor Endorsement

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Elementary Counseling Expertise: Proven success as an elementary school counselor with proficiency in implementing the ASCA National Model.

Developmental Knowledge: Deep understanding of child and adolescent development with a natural ability to build rapport with students.

Communication & Collaboration: Skillful at maintaining cooperative relationships and communicating effectively with students, families, staff, and the community.

Crisis & Clinical Intervention: Trained in individual/group counseling, crisis intervention, and school-wide tragedy management.

Program Support: Experienced in delivering training for study skills, positive behavior supports (PBIS), and parenting skills.

Data & Ethics: Proficient in using technology for program data management while maintaining strict confidentiality regarding student and employment matters.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to)

UNIVERSAL OBLIGATIONS & COMPLIANCE

Student-Centered Priority: Put the safety, health, and well-being of students at the forefront of all actions, job responsibilities, and decisions.

Strategic Alignment: Undertake all professional duties in strict alignment with the District's Strategic Plan.

Regulatory Adherence: Ensure full compliance with Board policies, rules, regulations, and administrative directives.

Operational Autonomy: Demonstrate the ability to perform high-level functions with high attentiveness, acknowledging that guidance and reinforcement are usually available in the daily execution of duties. INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORT & MTSS

Collaborative Intervention: Serve as a core member of MTSS and intervention teams to identify student needs, provide modifications, and facilitate problem-solving with staff and families.

Specialized Services: Manage, create, and implement 504 Plans and IEP-mandated counseling to ensure student growth and regulatory compliance.

Referral Advocacy: Maintain community partnerships to refer students and families to specialized programs, social services, and outside agencies. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND DATA LITERACY

ASCA-Aligned Programming: Execute a data-driven, student-centered school counseling program aligned with district philosophy and efficient resource management.

Data Analysis: Interpret academic, behavioral, and attendance data to drive School Improvement Planning (SIP) and enhance school climate.

Records & Compliance: Maintain accurate student records in strict accordance with state and federal regulations. DIRECT STUDENT SERVICES

Comprehensive Counseling: Provide individual and group counseling addressing social-emotional growth, behavior, and chronic absenteeism.

Academic Planning: Facilitate individual academic program planning and deliver core counseling curriculum through classroom collaboration.

Student Supervision: Support a safe school environment by supervising students during non-classroom activities and maintaining high behavioral expectations. COMMUNICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM

Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate student progress and program goals to families through conferences and active outreach.

Administrative Partnership: Support the principal in identifying and resolving student issues and attend all required staff and grade-level meetings.

Continuous Growth: Maintain professional competence through ongoing in-service training and professional development activities.

REPORTS TO: Building Principal

EQUIPMENT USED: A variety of electronic and technology devices, copier, telephone/voice mail, fax.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside, but some duties will be performed outside, including recess, field trips, etc. The employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints. The employee frequently will work irregular or extended work hours while performing the duties of this job. The employee is directly responsible for safety, well-being, and work output of students. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk, and stand; twist at neck and waist; kneel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to be able to hear conversations in quiet environments. May be required to lift or move up to 20 pounds.

MENTAL/MOTOR DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee rarely performs routine work. The employee frequently exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another). Guidance and reinforcement are infrequently available. The employee frequently works within time constraints and maintains attentiveness intensity. The employee is frequently involved in social interactions which require oral and written communications. The physical demands, work-environment characteristics, and mental/motor demands described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations shall be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

School year working days as set by the Board of Trustees. Salary, benefits and other working conditions as negotiated between the Whitefish School District and Whitefish Education Association and as assigned by the administration.

EVALUATION:

Performance of said duties will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.

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