Upper Elementary School Counselor

Overview

Position Title: Upper Elementary School Counselor (Grade 3- Grade 5)
Division: Elementary School
Supervisor: Elementary Principal

Position Summary:
The Upper Elementary School Counselor leads a comprehensive school counseling program to foster student success in academic achievement, social-emotional development, and personal growth. The counselor utilizes advocacy and collaboration, supporting older elementary students through increasing academic and social complexity.

General Expectations:

As a school grounded in the Christian faith, Concordia prioritizes candidates who are practicing Christians who are interested in the complex questions of faith and spirituality and who desire to interact with others around these questions.

On regular school days, faculty are on campus between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM, not inclusive of activities and meetings.  Full-time faculty lead an after-school activity throughout the school year and also participate in student travel and off-campus field experiences.

Concordia Hanoi is committed to the safety of our community and students, and we are proud to be a school where child protection is our top priority.

Position Requirements:
Master’s or advanced degree in guidance counseling; current certification or licensure in guidance and/or counseling.
Minimum three years of counseling experience at the elementary level.
Demonstrated collaborative experience in team settings.
Knowledge and respect for developmental differences, and skill in differentiated counseling practices for elementary children.
Experience collaborating in multi-tiered support teams and delivering age-appropriate counseling.
Preferred experience in a culturally diverse setting.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Key Areas of Responsibility
Comprehensive Program Development: Design, communicate, and implement an age-appropriate school counseling program in alignment with ISCA standards and school needs.​

Guidance Curriculum Delivery: Teach classroom guidance lessons focused on social skills, emotional regulation, friendship, safety, and transitions, adapting language, activities, and supports for young children.

Student Data Consultation:  Interpret developmental data and collaborate with teachers and parents to support early intervention.

Preventative and Responsive Services: Provide proactive individual and group counseling for identified needs, address crisis, behavior, family concerns, adjustment, and peer relationships; facilitate transition groups for new and departing students.

Collaboration & Consultation: Actively consult and collaborate with teachers, administrators, parents the learning support program to ensure effective services, accommodations, and interventions for students with additional needs.

System Support & Accountability: Maintain communication, records management, and program evaluation; share results and discuss improvements with administration and stakeholders.

Professional Development and Leadership: Stay current with school counseling research; attend conferences, participate in professional organizations, and engage in ongoing training.

Learning Support Integration: Interfaces with outsourced specialists (e.g., hearing, OT, speech, other evaluators or medical personnel). Provides staff with resources to accommodate individual differences and needs of students, collaborating to develop proactive plans for students at risk.

Parent/Community Engagement: Leads discussions for Parent Coffee mornings on relevant topics. Is available for parents to discuss their child’s transition or response to crisis. Respects the rights of custodial and noncustodial parents/guardians and strives for consistent, constructive two-way communication in the parents’ preferred language with translation assistance.

General Duties
Participate in strategic planning with the schoolwide counseling department.

Facilitate regular care and concern meetings, ensure smooth transitions, and monitor adjustment for new students.

Provide resources to parents and staff on developmental milestones, behavior management, and classroom inclusion.

Assist in student placement, consult in MTSS meetings, and contribute to school-wide program activities.

Support faculty in accommodating learning differences, and participate in all relevant school events and meetings.

Other duties as assigned (recess duties, etc.)

Provide resources and support to parents and staff on child and adolescent development, digital safety, and inclusion practices.

Monitor academic, attendance, and behavioral data, ensuring timely interventions and support for students at risk.

Celebrate applicable school events; participate in all relevant school-wide activities, and collaborate with middle/secondary school counselors for program continuity.​