Elementary School Counselor

The International School provides a warm, multicultural environment where children are fully immersed in Spanish, Japanese or Chinese from Preschool through 5th grade. We are Portland's first International Baccalaureate PYP elementary school. Our school was founded in 1990 with a current enrollment of over 400 students.

We are ready to hire and currently seeking a highly motivated full time Elementary School Counselor with a strong background in Special Education to join our dynamic team for the 2020-2021 school term, to help make a difference in the lives of our children and families. This position will be a member of the Administrative Team reporting to the Principal. The ideal candidate must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse students, teachers, families, and communities.

Job Description

Title: Elementary School Counselor (Pre-Kindergarten to 5th Grade)

Department: Student Support Services

Reports to: Head of Elementary

FLSA Status: Exempt

FTE: 1.0 (Full Time)

Effective date: August 09, 2021 preferable start date

Duration: 10 months Full time

General Summary

The school counselor is a vital member of The International School community. The school counselor is an educator uniquely trained in child development, learning strategies, self-management, and social skills. They help to create a school climate that welcomes and appreciates the strengths and gifts of culturally diverse students. Through the Primary Years Programme, the school counselor teaches tolerance and addresses the issues of nonviolence and social justice on a regular basis. Through collaboration with all members of the community, the school counselor ensures all students' rights are respected and all students' needs are met.

The school counselor works with students, parents, and teachers to promote the success of all students by supporting access, equity and educational justice. They continually work to develop their own cultural competence and facilitate the development of the cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills of all school personnel. By providing education, prevention, early identification, and intervention, the school counselor helps students achieve academic success, and develop social/emotional skills in response to issues they face.

Specific responsibilities and duties

Domain 1 for School Counselors: Planning and Preparation

• School Counselor ensures each student has access to a school counseling program that advocates for all students in diverse cultural groups. They display accurate and detailed knowledge of students' skills, special needs, interests, and cultural heritage.
• School Counselor demonstrates an understanding of the typical developmental characteristics of the age group, as well as exceptions to the general patterns of development.
• School Counselor plan includes important aspects of counseling in the school setting and includes school goals. Counseling programs follow an organized progression with differentiation for different groups of students. School Counselor routinely seeks input from stakeholders.

Domain 2 for School Counselors: The Environment

• School Counselor Interactions with students, parents and staff are respectful and appropriate to the ages, cultures, and developmental levels of the students.
• School Counselor actively promotes positive interactions. The counseling environment is one in which participants feel safe and respected.
• School Counselor establishes an environment of inclusion and trust.

Domain 3 for School Counselors: Delivery of Services

• School Counselor regularly and clearly communicates with students, teachers, and parents.
• School Counselor consistently assesses the progress students are making in programs and consults with team members to discuss students' needs. Feedback to students is accurate and specific; students frequently engage in self-assessment. School Counselor uses assessment to determine appropriate school-wide services to address the needs of the student population.
• School Counselor holds individual, small group, and/or whole-group counseling sessions and instructs students in social-emotional learning to assist students with academic, career, and personal/social issues in response to emergent student needs and concerns.

Domain 4 for School Counselors: Professional Responsibilities Component

• School Counselor enhances their own cultural competence and facilitating the cultural awareness, knowledge and skills of all school personnel. Their interactions with colleagues are characterized by mutual support and collaboration.
• School Counselor provides thorough and accurate information to families, staff or the community about the counseling program as a whole and about individual students.
• School Counselor consistently follows confidentiality guidelines. Communications are conveyed in a culturally sensitive manner.
• The School Counselor takes on other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

• Embodies the traits of the IB learner profile.
• Passionate about and able to fulfill the mission and vision of the school.
• Exhibits and demonstrates cultural competence in everyday educational practices by facilitating the cultural awareness, knowledge and skills of all school personnel.
• Proficient with technology.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Certification or license in school counseling.
• Experience as an elementary school counselor.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• 5 or more years of school counseling is desired.
• Bias and crisis management training
• Living or working with diverse and marginalized communities.
• Any other combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the candidate is likely to possess the skill, knowledge, ability and trait characteristics essential for this position may be considered.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• During peak activity periods, this position may require working in excess of 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week
• Frequently performs physical tasks such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping and handling of materials
• Capable of quickly traveling to multiple locations on school campus including up and down hills, lifting or otherwise carrying 50 pounds, traveling up/down flights of stairs, standing or sitting for long durations, occasionally typing on a computer keyboard, and occasionally reading information on a computer screen.
• Ability to travel occasionally to attend off-site events

Compensation and Benefits

Salaried, $58,000-$70,000 depending on experience and education

Employer paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Short term, Long term Disability, and Life Insurance for employee only.

Cafeteria plan with FSA, DCA and Transit account,403(b) plan, and 10 days (80 hours) of personal paid time off.

50% tuition discount for full time employee's qualifying children

HOW TO APPLY

Indicative Timelines:

Closing date: End of May, 2021 but may end early depending on candidates

Interviews: Interviews will begin towards mid to end of April.

HOW TO APPLY

Please visit our website (link below) to view the position opening and click APPLY. The detailed job description will be in the actual application when you apply. For additional assistance, you may send an email to: Hr@intlschool.org

http://www.intlschool.org/employment

We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We value a diverse workforce to attain our mission and support our families.

To be considered for this position, please provide (1) a cover letter which describes how your background, work experience and skills make you a great candidate for this position, and (2) a current resume in addition to:

• Completed Employment Application
• Copies of Degree(s)
• References or Letters of Recommendation
• No new H1-B sponsorship available

**Employment is contingent on successful completion of the Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division Background Checkhttps://secure.emp.state.or.us/ccd/***