Elementary School Counselor

Position: School Counselor - Elementary (Job ID 4965)
Location: Springton Manor Elementary
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Effective Date: Start of the 2023-2024 School Year 

Are you passionate about helping ALL students learn in a collaborative environment? If so, we may have the career for you! Downingtown Area School District is excited to announce an opening for a certified elementary school counselor for the 2023-2024 school year.

At DASD, we are committed to sharing values of diversity and inclusion in order to achieve and sustain excellence in education. As a diverse district, we continually seek ways to strengthen our educational environment. We believe that we can best promote excellence by recruiting and retaining a diverse group of staff who bring various backgrounds and perspectives. Our ability to create and maintain a climate of respect is critical to attaining the best teaching and learning environment.

At Downingtown Area School District we value our employees. We seek to hire new staff who:

• Communicate openly to build relationships and trust
• Partner with team members to see the TEAM succeed
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and seek ongoing opportunities for growth
• Embrace and support a safe and inclusive environment
• Eagerly and enthusiastically support student learning
• Strive to be kind and reflective
• Focus on the solution and put people first
• Lead by example!

If you want to be part of our “Downingtown Proud” team - please apply! Help us with our mission to educate all students to meet the rigorous challenges of a global society.

Job Summary: The school guidance counselor promotes the overall development of students from kindergarten to twelfth grade in the academic, career, and personal/social areas.

Qualifications: (Abbreviated - Please review the attached Job Description for more details on this specific opportunity)

• Candidate must be a graduate of an accredited college or university and hold a proper Pennsylvania certification for the position
• Required to complete all IB training
• Proficiency in use of technology for individual or group demonstration or communication
• Must be able to flex and vary hours to accommodate needs of students, parents, and other teachers
• Possesses effective interpersonal skills with the ability to interface diplomatically with teachers, administrators, parents, students, and outside organizations
• Demonstrates effective communication skills to provide accurate information to others and to obtain, give, and follow directions
• Demonstrates ability to provide good judgment, planning, and human relations skills, as well as be required to work under periods of stress due to the level of the position responsibility
• Follows the standard of member conduct as stated in the PA Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators
• Possess the skills necessary to effectively implement the district guidance curriculum
• Must successfully complete and maintain compliance with all federal and state background and criminal record check requirements
  • Click here for more information about required clearances
• Candidate must adhere to all local, state, federal, and school code requirements for employment

Duties & Responsibilities:  (Abbreviated - Please review the attached Job Description for more details on this specific opportunity)

• Guides students through the development of educational, career, & personal plans through implementation of district counseling curriculum and other strategies.
• Consults with staff in implementing the assigned tasks and services.
• Counsels individual and/or small groups of students with presenting concerns.
• Uses accepted theories & techniques appropriate to school counseling.
• Consults and conferences with parents/guardians, staff, administrators, agencies, and others to enhance ongoing work with students.
• Uses an effective process for referring students and others toward special programs and services within and outside of the district.
• Coordinates with appropriate Intervention Counselor, School Social Worker, Attendance Officer, and caseworker to follow up and/or return to school transition. Participates in the coordination of the building’s standardized testing programs.
• Interprets test and other appraisal results when necessary.
• Uses other sources of student data appropriately for assessment purposes.
• Works with Probation officers & the Juvenile Court system when necessary.
• Oversees & maintains accurate student records.
• Adheres to district policies & procedures.
• Adheres to professional, ethical, and legal standards.
• Participates in educational team meetings including Child Study, Pre-referral and Multidisciplinary Teams, SAP Team.
• Serves as a member of the Gifted Multidisciplinary Team
• Responsible for collating, completing, and submitting of referrals for multidisciplinary evaluations.
• Participates in Interagency Team meetings when requested.
• Serves as a member of the IEP meetings.

Salary 2023-2024 School Year:
Full salary matrix is available in the appendix of the following collective bargaining agreement, which can be accessed by clicking here.
*Placement upon salary scale is dependent upon education and years of experience. All long-term substitutes are placed on step 1. 

Summary of Benefits:

• Medical, including Telemedicine
• Prescription
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Workers’ Compensation
• Paid Sick and Personal Days
• Employee Assistance and Advocacy Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 403(b) Retirement Savings
• State Pension System (PSERS)
• Wellness incentives, including fitness club reimbursement
• Administrator and peer support mentorship programs
• Induction program and Professional Development
• District-provided technology
• ...and much more!

Schedule:
7.5 hours per day based upon district-approved calendar
Up to 191 days per year, plus up to 3 days of orientation for professional employees during first year of employment

EOE