JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title
Counselor, Elementary
Evaluation Type
TEMP
Department
Assigned Campus
Pay Grade
TEMP
FLSA
TEMP
Date Revised
April 2025
Supervisor
Principal/Director
BASIC FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITY: Collaboratively work with school faculty and staff, students, parents, and community to plan, implement, evaluate, and advocate for a comprehensive school counseling program at the school assigned. Organize and deliver services through the four components: Guidance Curriculum, Responsive Services, Individual Planning, and System Support as specified in the Texas Model for a Comprehensive School Counseling Program. Counsel students to fully develop each student's academic, career, personal, and social abilities and address the needs of all students.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Certification:
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university
- Valid Texas Professional School Counselor certification preferred (or meets qualifications for Texas School Counselor Deficiency Plan). Note: As of September 1, 2023, two years of classroom teaching experience is no longer required.
- Or, Master's degree in counseling related field (such as LMSW)
Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Knowledge of the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
- Knowledge of counseling procedures, intervention strategies, and student appraisal systems.
- Knowledge of academic programs, policies, and procedures.
- Knowledge of effective dropout recovery and prevention practices.
- Knowledge of community-based organizations and resources.
- Knowledge of district policies and regulations.
- Skill in interacting effectively with parents and community partners.
- Skill in facilitating campus-level teams.
- Skill in communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Skill in analyzing complex information and data.
- Skill in implementing long-range and immediate plans.
- Skill in operating standard computer and software applications, including but not limited to electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations.
- Skill in using student information systems to access and interpret student data
- Skill in tracking time spent in the four components of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program
- Skill in communicating and collaborating between and among various areas of the district to support healthy students, high student achievement, and customer satisfaction.
- Ability to organize and prioritize work responsibilities.
Experience:
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities noted herein; however, this is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions found in this job description.
Instructional Management:
- Consult with school staff, parents, and other community members to increase student effectiveness and promote student success.
- Provide guidance to assist all students in developing and applying skills for maximum educational, career, personal, and social growth.
- Coordinate and deliver classroom guidance, group guidance and serve as a consultant to teachers based on assessed needs of campus.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate a balanced, comprehensive school counseling program to serve all students under supervision of Counseling Coordinator.
- Advocate for the school counseling program and counselors' ethical and professional standards with school personnel, parents, students, and the community.
- Support the implementation, monitoring, and/or evaluation of assigned programs for elementary education, curriculum, and/or instructional support, and ensure that assigned programs are efficiently and effectively administered.
- Support and participate in meeting the objectives of the campus/department improvement plans.
Student Management:
- Advocate for all students and provide professional expertise to help staff, parents, and other community members understand individual behavior and human relationships.
- Assist all students with developing and applying skills for maximum educational, career, personal, and social growth during school years and beyond.
- Intervene with students whose developmental needs, personal concerns, or problems affect their continued educational, career, personal, or social development.
- Make referrals as appropriate in consultation with the student's parent or guardian.
- Coordinate people and resources in the school, home, and community to support achievement to assist parents and staff.
- Guide individuals and groups of students and parents to plan, monitor, and manage the student's social and educational development.
- Use accepted theories and effective techniques to provide individual and/or group developmental, preventive, remedial, and/or crisis counseling.
- Interpret standardized test results and other available student data to promote sound decision-making for students and others involved in the students' development.
- Facilitate the transition for students between elementary and secondary education.
- Assist campuses in resolving parent/student issues and concerns in a timely manner.
- Assist in managing student behavior in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.
Management of Administrative, Fiscal and/or Facilities Functions:
- Manage resources and activities related to campus needs.
- Maintain collaborative inter-professional relationships.
- Commit to current professional and ethical standards of competence and practice.
- Coordinate departmental activities with other District offices and administrators and provide assistance to requesting departments.
- Follow District and department policies and procedures.
Organization Improvement:
- Analyze critical needs in assigned areas and work collaboratively to implement and improve programs.
Professional Growth and Development:
- Accept responsibility for self-directed professional development through continuous efforts to improve their competence in meeting and exceeding standards in performing job responsibilities.
- Participate in professional development that increases effectiveness and improves District performance.
Texas Academic Performance Indicators and Campus Performance Objectives:
- Support the administration of state-mandated testing at campuses in compliance with state and federal guidelines.
- Monitor and review campus test data and use findings to assist with planning corrective action for the affected group of students and/or campuses.
School/Community Relations:
- Forge partnerships with community agencies, businesses, and universities to better serve the needs and interests of all students.
- Interface with governmental agencies, business and civic organizations, and the community to provide needed information and to promote the District's initiatives.
Organization Morale:
- Foster positive morale by participating in team building activities and the decision-making process.
- Communicate and collaborate with campus/department staff to enhance service delivery, program development, and customer satisfaction.
Other Responsibilities:
- Comply with policies established by federal and state law, including but not limited to State Board of Education and local Board policy.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None
MENTAL DEMANDS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
- Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment
- Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
- Motion: Use a computer for prolonged periods, resulting in repetitive hand motions
- Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
- Environment: Work inside, may work outside
- Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; work with frequent interruptions; work occasional prolonged or irregular hours