Elementary School Counselor

Job Summary

As an Elementary School Counselor, you will play a vital role in the academic, social, and emotional development of elementary school students. Your primary responsibility will be providing counseling and support services to help them navigate the challenges of their formative years. You will collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to create a positive and nurturing school environment that fosters academic success and personal growth.

• Develop positive, realistic self-concepts.
• Develop effective interpersonal behavior.
• Develop effective decision-making skills.
• Maintain positive attitudes toward learning.
• Develop positive attitudes toward understanding the world of work.

• Meet with students in classrooms and in small groups to lead activities and/or discussions aimed at achieving predetermined goals.
• Meet with children individually to help them resolve problems and choose from alternatives.
• Seek to involve parents in the educational progress of their children.
• Work to resolve students' educational handicaps.
• Discover and develop students' special abilities.
• Remain readily available to students to provide counseling that leads to personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity.
• Take an active role in interpreting the school's objectives and goals to students, parents, and the community.
• Consult with administrators and faculty on matters pertaining to student needs.
• Assist in the development of a meaningful career education program in the schools to which assigned.
• Meet with parents and/or school staff to help them understand the individual needs of children.
• Assist staff members in programming that benefits all children.
• Assist in developing a meaningful testing program and aid school personnel in the effective use of testing results.
• Assist in teaching the 7 Habits of Leaders in Me and core beliefs aligned with school wide positive behavior, supporting the framework to enhance students' understanding of behavior expectations.
• Promote positive mental health within the school community.

• A valid certificate as an elementary school guidance counselor.
• A Master’s degree, or its equivalent, representing intensive coursework in the principles and practice of educational guidance, educational testing and measurement, counseling, the organization and administration of guidance services, and the psychology of learning.
• Alternatives to the above qualifications as deemed appropriate by the Board of Education.

• Occasionally (1%-32%) – basic mobility: bend, talk, hear, operate computer, stationary position, balance, lift up to 20 pounds; manual dexterity tasks; reaching/pushing/pulling; sitting; carrying (25 feet).
• Frequently (33%-65%) – same as above with increased frequency.
• Constantly (66%-100%) – similar physical activities with continuous demands.

Working Conditions:

Occasionally (1%-32%) – district office hours, indoors, weekends/off schedule; temperature extremes.

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Supervisor:
  Principal
• Contract Length:
  Continuing, 190 days
• Job Classification:
  Teaching
• FSLA Status:
  Exempt

The District’s policy is not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs, services, and employment practices. The District will respond promptly to allegations of abuse of students by employees, reporting to all relevant agencies as required by law.

Contact information for EEO concerns and complaint resolution:
Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, , rporter;
Office for Civil Rights, Midwestern Division for U.S. Department of Education;
Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, , kwhitmore.

Rev. 7/2025

Fort Dodge Community School District is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.