ELEVATE/ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) Counselor – Elementary School

Fort Worth ISD; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Worth ISD seeks an Elementary School Counselor to provide personalized guidance, academic support, and college readiness activities. You will advocate for students, collaborate with teachers and parents, and coordinate referrals for needed services.

Responsibilities include trauma response, data-driven planning, and maintaining confidential records. The role emphasizes engagement with families and community partners to support student success and a strong guidance program aligned with

Qualifications

• Masters degree in education or counseling field.
• Must hold/obtain Texas Counselor Certification.
• Teacher certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create a respectful customer-service oriented atmosphere.
• Respect student confidentiality and educational integrity.
• Provide counseling to address student needs and goals.
• Engage students in guidance lessons and college readiness activities.
• Advocate for students and coordinate referrals to services.
• Maintain counseling records and collaborate with staff.
• Engage parents with education on personalized learning and college readiness.
• Participate in Trauma Response Team and RtI processes.

Skills

Guidance programs

Counseling procedures

Student assessment

Career development

Post-secondary opportunities

Data-driven decision making

Interpersonal relationships

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree

Texas Counselor Certification

Texas Teaching Certification (preferred)

Job description

Counselor Elementary School

Location: To Be Determined

Salary: Appropriate Level of Counselor Salary Schedule + $10,000 stipend

Duty Days: 212

Fort Worth ISDs ELEVATE and Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) schools are driving rapid change where it matters most. We place top-tier teachers and leaders in campuses ready for transformation; schools that are rising from historically low performance to become thriving centers of learning. ELEVATE and ACE educators extend learning time, deliver high-impact instruction, and receive intensive support to accelerate student success. With opportunities for all, excellence, and urgency at the core, ELEVATE and ACE schools offer a bold opportunity to make a lasting difference.

Position Purpose

Essential Job Functions

• Creates a respectful atmosphere focused on customer service.
• Respects student confidentiality and the integrity of the educational process.
• Engages students in personalized education, career interest and awareness and college readiness activities (inventories, exploration, guidance lessons, Education Go Get It, and so forth).
• Advocates for students, mediates and facilitates on behalf of student interests and needs.
• Communicates effectively to disseminate information about students to other professionals as appropriate for follow up and disposition.
• Provides responsive, intentional counseling to students identified as needing additional support to address specific student outcomes and identified goals.
• Serves on Trauma Response Team - Completes Suicide and Violence Risk Assessments of students in crisis.
• Responds to students individually and serves as an active participant in the Response to Intervention (RtI) process; selects and uses counselor interventions appropriate to student needs and circumstances.
• Provides group counseling with student outcomes and goals identified; provides referral services when appropriate.
• Facilitates student referrals to school/District special programs and/or services.
• Provides engaging student guidance lessons systematically in the 8 strands as identified in the G&C Framework (topics and schedule for all students according to policy).
• Teaches guidance units effectively as indicated from student and teacher feedback.
• Maintains accurate professional records of counseling and Student Support Services related activities on a daily basis.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with representatives from community agencies, mentors and others supporting the counseling program.
• Engages parents and provides targeted parent education opportunities related to personalized education, career awareness, and college readiness.
• Educates faculty, parents, community and students about the guidance program and services through public information programs (Open House, PTO meetings, Campus Website, and so forth).
• Interprets assessment data to students and parents as a student advocate, promoting understanding of educational planning options.
• Interprets information and ideas effectively and participates in campus wide staff development as outlined in the G&C Framework.
• Accurately assesses student and family needs for referral and is knowledgeable regarding area resources.
• Demonstrates an understanding of data driven decision making as it relates to student development and placement.
• Collaborates and develops data driven program objectives (CEIP/MEASURE) and monitors progress each 6 weeks throughout the year.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of individual activities and the overall program success in meeting desired student outcomes identified in the counseling objectives in the CEIP to submit year-end report to all stakeholders.
• Collaborates in the planning and evaluation of the student assessment activities.
• Interprets assessment data to school personnel as a student advocate, with targeted intervention and educational planning processes.
• Observes ethical standards of the Texas and American School Counselor Associations.
• Pursues continuous professional growth and development to maintain current understanding of procedures and practices in the field of professional school counseling.
• Performs counseling related responsibilities aligned with the Texas Education Code and the FWISD Guidance and Counseling Framework.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None.
• Coordinates work with counseling aide(s) and clerical employee(s).

Personal Work Relationships

• All Fort Worth ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the Districts mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct and work ethic.
• Demonstrates high quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
• Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.

Other Duties As Assigned

• Performs all job-related duties as assigned and in accordance with Board rules, policies and regulations. All employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in rare situations driven by need where a team effort is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of comprehensive guidance programs, counseling procedures, intervention skills, student appraisal, career development and post-secondary opportunities.
• Knowledge of pre/post high school program eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of college/university admissions processes, scholarship programs and other educational opportunities.
• Knowledge of current developments in business and industry regarding career opportunities and employment.
• Knowledge of differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships, including using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior.
• Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents, and district staff.
• Ability to maintain confidential student records.
• Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written forms, with District leaders, students and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment such as Promethean Board.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent walking; frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
• Environment: Works inside; may work outside; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions; may work prolonged or irregular hours

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Education: Masters degree from accredited college or university.
• Certificate/License:
  • Valid Texas Teaching Certification preferred;
  • Valid Texas Counselor Certification.
• Experience: 2 years classroom teaching experience in a public or accredited private school preferred.

This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.