School Counselor (Elementary) - Bilingual Applicants Encouraged to Apply!

We are looking for highly motivated and skilled School Counselors to join our team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of our students, families, and greater DC community. 

DCPS serves 50,000 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 118 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest‐performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students. 

Position Overview  

The Counselor is responsible for providing a comprehensive school counseling program that is preventative in design, developmental in implementation, and supports DCPS students in the areas of academic achievement, college and career exploration, and social/emotional development. The Counselor also serves as a consultant to educators, families, and community partners. The Counselor receives technical assistance, support, and instruction from the Principal while working in coordination with the School Counseling Manager. Additionally, the Counselor works closely with faculty and staff of their school, DCPS central office, various social services agencies (i.e., D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA)), the Superior Court, personnel from other public-school systems, and parents. 

This position is a safety-sensitive position. As a result, throughout employment this position is subject to the Employee Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy. 

The Counselor (Elementary School) will report to the Principal. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned. 

Working independently but under the supervision of the school Principal or their designee, the Counselor is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program to serve the academic, career, and social/emotional needs of students enrolled in DCPS. The primary purpose of the comprehensive school counseling program is the support of the instructional and academic goals of DCPS. 

More specifically, the Counselor performs the following: 

Development and Management  

• Uses data to develop and inform the school counseling program and evaluates the program’s impact on the school’s instructional goals. 
• Collaborates on the development and management of the comprehensive school counseling program with the school administrator or instructional leader. 
• Communicates and shares the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to stakeholders, including students, families, and community partners. 
• Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling program based on the DCPS annual student achievement goals and aligned with the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Standards for School Counseling Programs. 
• Uses 80% of time providing direct services to students through preventive and responsive services, including individual student planning, and uses 20% of time in development and management, system support, and accountability. 

Preventative and Responsive Services  

• Designs, implements, and assesses the counseling curriculum. 
• Utilizes responsive counseling, initiating individual and group sessions for students’ personal, social, and academic concerns. 
• Consults with families and staff to appraise student needs and interests and to discuss appropriate recommendations for educational options. 
• Plans, coordinates, and provides classroom lessons to meet the identified mindsets and behaviors in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal and social development. 
• Assesses student needs and makes referrals to appropriate school resource personnel, social agencies, community agencies, and alternative programs. 
• Intervenes during crisis situations and participates on school crisis team. 

Individual Student Planning 

• Prepares students for the transition to the next level: middle school, activities, and options. 
• Plans and coordinates programs such as career fairs, test preparation, improved/perfect attendance celebrations, and other extensions of the counseling program. 
• Uses individual student planning activities and classroom lessons to assist students in navigating educational and community experiences that support their needs and develop their potential. 
• Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and career planning. 

System Support  

• Uses responsive counseling strategies to establish relationships and collaborate with educators, students, families, and community partners (these strategies should reflect recognition of and respect for each individual and promote an understanding and appreciation of diverse population and cultures and systems where wards of the District of Columbia are attending school). 
• Assists teachers in understanding their students, including providing and interpreting student data. 
• Provides in-service training on topics related to the school counseling program and supporting student achievement. 

Accountability  

• Conducts, at a minimum, a yearly program audit to review the extent and quality of program implementation; and prepares and submits a variety of reports and data, to ensure fulfillment of established program requirements. 
• Uses all available data, including academic grades, discipline referrals, and attendance data, to identify students in need and to deliver services. 
• Interprets tests, student data, and other assessment results appropriately within the counseling environment for the purpose of developing and implementing academic plans for individual students. 

Qualifications  

• Bachelor's degree. 
• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in school counseling. 
• Advanced proficiency in Spanish
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus. 
• Retains a current and valid OSSE-issued certification as a professional school counselor. 
• Ability to learn the student information system (ASPEN). 
• Familiarity with District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, Title 5 Education, The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, ASCA National Standards, ASCA School Counselor Competencies, ASCA School Counselor Performance Standards, and Carl Perkins Act of 2006. 
• Ability to learn and follow Directives of the Chancellor, internal operating procedures, and other guidelines established by the School Counseling Manager. 
• Ability to analyze data to inform work and decision making, analyze and evaluate available data, assess student needs, and develop and implement procedures and policies to support student achievement. 

DCPS Values  

STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do. 

COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success. 

EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds. 

EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions. 

TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically. JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other. 

Health Insurance 

• HMO (Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, or United HealthCare) 
• PPO (Aetna) 
• POS (United HealthCare) 
• Dental and Optical Insurance (Plans provided by the Washington Teachers’ Union) 

Other Insurance 

• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance 
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• Short-Term Disability Insurance 
• Long-Term Disability Insurance 

Other Benefits 

• Teacher’s Retirement Plan 
• Flexible Spending Accounts (for dependent care & health care) 
• 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuities 
• DC Teachers Federal Credit Union 
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan 
• Loan Cancellation or Deferment 
• AT&T Discount Program for District of Columbia Employees 
• Employer Assisted Housing Program (Up to $11,500 for first-time homebuyers in DC) 
• HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Program (50% off the list price for HUD homes) 
• Discounted memberships to Washington Sports Clubs 

Please visit the DCPS Human Resources page for additional information.