2026-2027 Counselor - Watkins Elementary

Watkins Elementary; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 46,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Springfield Public Schools – Watkins Elementary in Springfield, Missouri, seeks a 2026-2027 Counselor to support the instructional program and guide Academic, Career and Social/Emotional development.

The counselor will teach lessons, provide individual and group counseling, monitor progress, and collaborate with teachers, families and community partners to deliver Tier 2–3 interventions. This role also involves maintaining records and presenting information to staff.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of three years of related experience.
• Missouri Teacher Certification required.
• K-8 School Counselor Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Supports mental health needs within the elementary building.
• Teaches classroom lessons following Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program and ASCA Standards.
• Implements counseling curriculum and related programs and projects.
• Provides individual and group counseling sessions.
• Coordinates with teachers and families to meet student needs.

Skills

Counseling

Collaboration

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Master's degree

K-8 School Counselor Certification

Job description

2026-2027 Counselor - Watkins Elementary

Springfield Public Schools Watkins Elementary - Springfield, Missouri

This job is also posted in Springfield Public Schools (Springfield, MO)

Job Details

Job ID: 5947001

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Oct 01, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Job Title: 2026-2027 Counselor- Watkins Elementary

Department: Student and School Services - Counseling

Pay Grade: Teacher's Salary Schedule

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: SchoolPrincipal,in collaboration with the Director of Counseling

GENERAL PURPOSE

This position is responsible for providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for implementing the Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program; providing information and recommendations to parents and students in the areas of Academic Development, Career Development and Social/Emotional Development.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Works with parents, students, teachers and administrators to support the mental health needs within the elementary building.
• Teaches classroom lessons following Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program and the ASCA Standards.
• Implements comprehensive school counseling curriculum, assigned programs and/or projects conforming to district and state curriculum and/or instructional objectives.
• Provides individual and group counseling sessions, meeting the developmental needs of students.
• Monitors student progress for the purpose of identifying issues and taking appropriate action for increasing student success.
• Collaborates with building and district teams to provide support for students needing Tier 2 or Tier 3 Interventions.
• Provides information regarding community resources to students and parents.
• Coordinates with teachers, parents, students and community agencies providing/receiving requested information and/or making recommendations towards meeting the developmental needs of students.
• Provides informationto staff regarding the counseling resources available to them.
• Prepares a wide variety of materials documenting activities, presenting and/or conveying information.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of three (3) years of job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is required.

Certificates, Licenses and Other Special Requirements

• Must have a MissouriTeacher Certification
• Must have a K-8 School Counselor Certification.
• Must pass a Criminal Background Clearance, the results of which must be satisfactory to the District, required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues, draw conclusions and create action plans.
• Knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: pertinent laws, codes, policies, and/or regulations; personnel processes; standard business practices; program planning and development; concepts of grammar and punctuation; and instructional procedures and practices.
• Skill to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to routinely upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.
• Skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job, including: applying assessment instruments; preparing and maintaining accurate records; planning and managing projects; and using pertinent software applications.
• Ability to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment
• Ability to work withothers under a wide variety of circumstances; working with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using defined methods.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to apply critical thinking/problem solving to improve work processes.
• Ability to convey technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; set priorities; meet deadlines and schedules; work with detailed information; and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to work as part of a team; and work with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to set high expectations for self and others; set and monitor progress toward goals; and utilize and offer effective feedbackfor continuous improvement.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.
• The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.
• Must possess the physical ability to perceive the nature of sounds, make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, express or exchange ideas by the spoken word, substantial movements (motions) with the hands, wrists, and/or fingers, and discern letters or numbers at a given distance.
• Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, manual dexterity, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity and walking.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $45,917 to $83,650 Per Year

Contact Information

• Springfield Public Schools R-12 , Human Resources Department
• 1359 E. Saint Louis St.
• Springfield, Missouri 65802
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]