Honokaa Elementary: Grade K-6 School Counselor

Elementary School Counselor

We are seeking a compassionate, proactive, and student-centered Elementary School Counselor to join our team. In this role, you will be the heart of our school's social-emotional support system, helping students navigate their early developmental years, build resilience, and foster a lifelong love for learning. The ideal candidate understands that "big feelings" come in small packages and is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive environment where every child feels seen and heard.

Key Responsibilities

• Individual & Group Counseling:
  Provide short-term individual counseling and small-group sessions focusing on social skills, grief, anger management, and anxiety.
• Classroom Guidance:
  Deliver engaging, age-appropriate lessons based on the ASCA National Model (e.g., empathy, bullying prevention, and personal safety).
• Crisis Intervention:
  Support students and families during immediate crises and provide referrals to outside mental health resources when necessary.
• Collaboration:
  
  Partner with teachers, parents, and administrators to develop strategies for student success and behavioral interventions.
• Student Advocacy:
  Serve as a key member of the 504 team to ensure students receive necessary accommodations.
• Transition Support:
  Assist students with the transition from home to school and the "big leap" from elementary to middle school.

Minimum Qualifications

The Hawaii State Department of Education is committed to hiring highly qualified teachers in every classroom. With the exception of designated Career and Technology Education (CTE) positions, the minimum qualification to apply for a teacher, librarian or counselor position is a Bachelor's Degree. If you are hired without completing a Teacher's Education Program, you have a maximum of 3 years to obtain a valid Hawaii teaching license.

You must enroll in a Program to continue employment with the Department. Within each year of employment, you must satisfactorily demonstrate active pursuit towards meeting Hawaii licensing requirements, as set forth by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB). It is your responsibility to ensure the program you have enrolled is aligned with the teaching line you are hired in. Upon hire you will need to have a valid Hawaii teaching license or Emergency Hire Permit.

You may apply for your Hawaii teaching license on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board Website.

Equal Opportunity

The Hawaii State Department of Education does not discriminate in its educational policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991.

The Department does not discriminate in its employment policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sexual orientation, arrest and court record, and National Guard participation, as well as on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability, in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, Equal Pay Act of 1963, and Chapter 378, Part I, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Payday

New employees can expect their first paycheck within the first 3 pay periods of their start date. Payday is on the 5th and 20th (or previous business day) of every month.

Certificated 10-Month Teachers enjoy a range of competitive benefits:

• Compensation: 10-month teachers shall be compensated for the applicable Bargaining Unit 05 10-month salary schedule for working a 10-month work year.
• 18 Days of Paid Sick Leave and State/Federal Holidays: 10-month teachers receive 18 days of paid sick leave (of which 6 can be utilized for personal and/or professional development purposes)
• Health Insurance:
  If eligible, the State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan.
• Group Life Insurance:
  The State provides a free life insurance policy for…