Elementary School Counselor

West Fargo Public Schools; West Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

West Fargo Public Schools seeks an Elementary School Counselor at Brooks Harbor Elementary School to implement a comprehensive counseling program focusing on learner outcomes and social-emotional development. You will work with a MTSS team, provide classroom lessons bi-weekly, and support teachers and families.

The position serves grades K-5, reports to the Building Principal, and follows the district 188-day contract schedule with full-time hours aligned to the school calendar.

Qualifications

• ND Teaching License with School Counselor credential K-12.
• Master's Degree in School Counseling.
• Experience working with elementary learners is preferred.
• Experience working in a school setting is preferred.
• Experience as a counselor is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops positive, effective relationships with learners and staff.
• Collaborates with parents/guardians, educators, and community partners.
• Maintains confidentiality and uses data to guide decisions.
• Supports MTSS team to address social-emotional needs and behavior.
• Provides direct and indirect learner services and refers for additional support as needed.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Compassion

Creativity

Critical Thinking

Reflection

Resilience

Responsibility

Education

ND Teaching License with School Counselor credential K-12

Master's Degree in School Counseling

Job description

Job Description

Position Title: Elementary School Counselor

Location: Brooks Harbor Elementary School

Department: Behavioral Health & Wellness

Reports To: Building Principal

Term: Renewing 188-day contract beginning with 2026-27 school year. Following school calendar.

(Pro-rated depending on start date)

Schedule: Mon-Fri Full-time following school hours of operation

Salary: Position follows the 2025-2027 Teacher Salary Schedule

Date of last review: October 2026

SUMMARY

The Elementary School Counselor will be responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program that focuses on learner outcomes, teaching student competencies, and providing services to learners, parents, school staff, and the community. This will include bi-weekly classroom lessons, individual and small group social skill lessons, providing classroom teacher support, and supporting the MTSS team to meet learners social and emotional needs. The School Counselor will be responsible for learners in grades K-5 and work collaboratively with administration.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and requirement satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Other duties may be assigned)

Collaboration

• Develops positive, effective working relationships with learners and staff.
• Engages with other district staff in the professional learning community process.

Communication

• Consults and collaborates with parents/guardians, educators, and community organizations.
• Connects and shares ideas through appropriate/applicable formats to express thoughts and ideas with integrity.
• Utilizes effective communication skills to facilitate connection and sharing of thoughts and ideas in multiple formats with diverse audiences.
• Establishes and clearly articulates procedures and routines that promote efficiency and appropriate use of time.
• Utilizes questions, discussions, and dialogue that promote critical thinking about diverse perspectives, viewpoints, and experiences.
• Connects and shares ideas through appropriate/applicable formats to express thoughts and ideas with integrity.

Compassion

• Creates a safe and equitable classroom.
• Empowers learners to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic learners, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information.
• Understands the complexities of cultural and global issues and how they relate to employee and learners' experiences.
• Partners with others to resolve potential controversy and conflict through respectful discussion.
• Proactively seeks to understand the ideas, opinions, and skills of others.

Creativity

• Incorporates organizational assessments and tools that are concrete, clearly delineated and reflective of the school's needs. Including: advisory councils, school counselor competency and program assessments, or curriculum, small-group, and closing-the-gap action plans.
• Establishes a classroom culture that values high expectations, work ethic, and a growth mindset.
• Develops and implements data/needs-driven, standards-based and research-supported programs, and engages in continuous program evaluation activities.
• Connects with team members and shares ideas in an effort to improve the overall learner and employee experience.

Critical Thinking

• Creates a comprehensive school counseling program focusing on learner outcomes.
• Reasons, interprets, and analyzes information to generate new knowledge and understanding.

Reflection

• Maintains communication with supervisor and director regarding general feedback, career advancement opportunities, and areas of growth opportunities.

Resilience

• Maintains composure while dealing with stressful situations.
• Proactively seeks out resolutions and takes initiative to resolve knowledge gaps.

Responsibility

• Instruct learner competencies and deliver with identified professional competencies.
  • ASCA Student Standards guide the development.
  • ASCA School Counselor Guidelines guide the decision-making process and help to standardize professional practice.
• Provides direct and indirect learner services.
• Seeks out and provides input on referrals for additional assistance as needed.
• Utilizes district behavioral plan as the backbone to promote positive learner behavior.
• Utilizes the district protocol for maintaining information about learner progress.
• Serves as the school's 504 case manager by coordinating meetings, facilitating team decisions, maintaining documentation, and ensuring implementation of student accommodations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms.
• While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, talk, and hear.
• The specific vision abilities required for this role include close and peripheral vision.
• The employee may be required to lift up to ~30 pounds.
• The employee must work with the public and various WFPS staff while simultaneously managing several competing demands.
• The employee will work in an environment that has a quiet to loud noise level.

Education And/Or Experience

• North Dakota Teaching License with School Counselor credential K-12
• Master's Degree in School Counseling or ability to obtain Alternate Access Licensure.
• Experience working with complex learner behaviors is preferred.
• Experience working in an elementary school setting is preferred.
• Experience working in a school setting is preferred.
• Experience as a counselor is preferred.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondences in the English language.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, expressively, and reactively.

Other Skills And Abilities

• Exercise confidentiality, discretion, and good judgement.
• Adhere to the assigned work schedule by maintaining regular and punctual attendance.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None.

The West Fargo Public School District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from discrimination and harassment in all employment and educational programs, activities, and facilities. The District prohibits discrimination and harassment based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or other protected status by law. External applicants are eligible for ND Veteran's Preference: North Dakota veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a form DD214, and if claiming disabled veteran's status, a current letter of disability. West Fargo Public Schools is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all hiring and employment practices. Applicants who incorporate a holistic perspective and a commitment to inclusion are encouraged to apply.