Position: Middle School Counselor (Grades 5–8)
Location: Woodside Middle School, Des Moines, Iowa
Employment Type: Full-Time
Start Date: August 18th, 2025
Reports to: Building Principal
Job Summary:
Woodside Middle School is seeking a passionate and student-centered Middle School Counselor to support students in grades 5 through 8 while teaching a Career Exploration course to 7th/8th graders. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with staff, students, families, and the community to foster academic achievement, personal/social growth, and career development. The counselor will be a key member of the school support team, providing proactive and responsive services to meet students’ diverse needs.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide individual and group counseling to support students’ academic, emotional, and social development.
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to create and implement student success plans.
- Support student transitions, including new student orientation and high school readiness planning.
- Assist with behavioral interventions, MTSS processes, and development of student support strategies.
- Coordinate and implement school-wide SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) programs.
- Promote equity, inclusion, and student advocacy through daily work and programming.
- Facilitate classroom lessons focused on social-emotional skills, decision-making, conflict resolution, and college/career awareness.
- Participate in student support teams, IEP/504 meetings, and parent-teacher conferences.
- Collaborate with community agencies to provide resources and services to students and families.
- Maintain accurate records and data to support student progress and program effectiveness.
Qualifications:
- Valid Iowa School Counselor license K–12.
- Master’s Degree in School Counseling
- Valid teaching endorsement
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Experience working with diverse student populations.
- Knowledge of middle school developmental needs and best practices.
- Ability to build relationships with students, staff, and families.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with school counseling at the middle school level.
- Familiarity with MTSS, PBIS, and restorative practices.
- Bilingual abilities a plus.
- Knowledge of college/career readiness frameworks and programming.
Why Woodside?
Woodside Middle School offers a supportive and inclusive environment where students come first. Our staff is committed to building strong relationships, creating equitable learning opportunities, and ensuring that every student grows academically and socially. Join a passionate team focused on making a difference in the lives of young learners.