School Counselor

Great Prairie Area Education Agency has an opening for a School Counselor.

Prorated contract (plus 2 orientation days initial year) depending on the agreed upon start date.

Benefits:IPERS generous paid leave package and monthly cafeteria allotment of $1050.00.

Salary:2025-2026 Salary Schedule(based on education and experience).

Work schedule and annual days are determined by district service-for-fee contracts and may vary by assignment.

Position Overview:

Provides services to districts related to the responsibilities and functions of the School Counselor role. This includes development and delivery of professional learning coaching and consultation for LEA and AEA staff. Helps ensure success for all learners. Provides appropriate resources and technical assistance to sustain an effective system of school counseling program services. Provides services that are customer focused and based on client needs.

Qualifications:

1. Masters Degree in education school counseling or related field.
2. Iowa instructional license with School Counselor endorsement.
3. Three years of professional experience in Elementary and/or Secondary school settings serving as a School Counselor.
4. Knowledgeable about MTSS-SEBH/PBIS framework and implementation.

Essential Functions:

1. Supports total school/community efforts to create a positive learning environment for students/children.
2. Serves district building(s) families and community and collaborates with various teams to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
3. Collaborates with GPAEA administrators to ensure alignment between contracted district needs and agency service frameworks.
4. Demonstrates deep knowledge of the school counselor role and supports the application of the practices outlined in that model.
5. Models implements and assesses strategies related to learning social emotional and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
6. Provides ongoing support to educational staff related to applicable rules and laws.
7. Integrates research into the design of best practices.
8. Consults with teachers and administrators regarding best practices for classroom and building educational programs.
9. Follows policies procedures standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws the Iowa Department of Education and GPAEA which includes but is not limited to developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
10. Demonstrates a clear understanding of the role of the school counselor provides guidance and supports the application of the School Counselor responsibilities and expectations as outlined in the Iowa Administrative Rules.
11. Assists in the process of identifying and addressing the needs of school counseling programs and supports the implementation and evaluation of specific strategies designed to meet school counseling program goals and objectives.
12. Establishes implements and evaluates Agency activities in response to best practices and changing client needs.
13. Uses data to develop implement monitor and adapt services to help ensure effective support.
14. Maintains appropriate documentation of services delivered for billing and compliance purposes related to district service-for-fee agreements.
15. Services are provided to districts on a service-for-fee basis. The contracted counselor will support district-identified needs as outlined in agreements developed between GPAEA and participating LEAs.

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Participates in projects committees or activities to support the mission of the program and Agency.
2. Demonstrates self-discipline and initiative to produce high-quality organized and dependable results.
3. Conveys a positive and professional image to staff and public.
4. Handles information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA HIPAA etc).
5. Pursues professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational directions.
6. Develops and maintains effective team functioning through collegial problem solving coaching and mentoring.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
2. Ability to function effectively as a team member.
3. Ability to collaborate and resolve issues effectively as a team member and/or independently as appropriate.
4. Ability to convey a positive and professional image to staff and public.
5. Ability to handle information in a confidential manner.
6. Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of clients and the Agency.
7. Ability to integrate educational theory research and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts in a service style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement.
8. Effective consultation coaching presentation and group facilitation skills.
9. Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
10. Knowledge of best practices in school counseling programs.
11. Ability to integrate employment trends and theories into appropriate practices for Agency contexts.
12. Effective in problem solving.
13. Knowledge of applicable rules and laws that govern educational decisions.
14. Ability to read and interpret documents write reports and correspondence and apply appropriate mathematical concepts to be proficient in using data to inform decisions regarding school counseling related practices.
15. Ability to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes but is not limited to efficient operation of telephone and voice mail systems and application of basic computer skills to effectively use technology tools.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to travel between schools/sites served.
2. Normal routine levels of bending lifting carrying climbing reaching sitting standing and walking.