.5 School Counseling Support Specialist and .5 Cowles Montessori School Counselor

.5 School Counseling Support Specialist and .5 Cowles Montessori School Counselor Des Moines Public School District Multiple Schools - Des Moines, Iowa This job is also posted in Des Moines Public School District, and TeachIowa, Iowa's Marketplace for education jobs Job Details

Job ID:

5663709

Application Deadline:

May 01, 2026 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time)

Posted:

Apr 22, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date:

Aug 3, 2026 Job Description This position is a full-time counseling positon shared between two related roles: 50% of the time will be devoted to District-level support to counselors as outlined in the School Counseling Support Specialist description below and 50% of the time will be devoted to serving as a school counselor for Cowles Montessori School (as outlined in the K-8 School Counselor description lower in this posting). •Note that salary information in this positing uses the 25-26 salary schedule, as the 26-27 schedule is not yet finalized.

TITLE:

School Counseling Support Specialist

POSITION TYPE

TCHR HIRING

SPECIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

Master's degree in School Counseling; Iowa professional service license (or eligibility to obtain). Five (5) years successful K12 school counseling experience. Demonstrated leadership in hiring, coaching, or program coordination.

Desired Education and Experience:

Experience supervising interns or mentoring new counselors. Prior work with university partnerships or educator preparation programs. Bilingual or multilingual proficiency.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Deep understanding of the ASCA National Model, Multi-Tiered System of Supports, and current best practices in counseling. Skill in adult learning design, facilitation, and data-driven program evaluation. Strong organizational, project management, and communication abilities.

BASIC FUNCTION

The School Counseling Support Specialist (SCSS) provides districtwide leadership for all aspects of the school- counseling talent pipeline and professional growth system. Working under the direction of the School Counseling Coordinator—and in close partnership with Talent & Personnel, building principals, and university partners—the SCSS recruits, hires, onboards, mentors, and develops school counselors so they can deliver high impact, ASCA-aligned programs that improve student outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Serve as first point of contact when vacancies arise; collaborate with Talent & Personnel to coordinate notification, posting, and communication timelines to ensure equitable and efficient hiring cycles. Chair district screening teams, facilitate placement interviews with principals, and guide buildings in final selection decisions. Design and deliver multiday summer orientation and induction sessions for new-to-profession and new-to- district counselors. Create year-long onboarding roadmap, resource hub, and check-in cadence; monitor progress and adjust supports as needed. Provide individualized, research-based coaching cycles (prep → observe → debrief) for all counselors in Years 1-3 and for any counselor who self-refers or is identified for additional support through the evaluation process. Collaborate with each coachee to set data-driven growth goals around Tier 1 instruction, Tier 2 group interventions, or Tier 3 individual counseling skills. Maintain a flexible coaching caseload that scales with district demand rather than a fixed quota; adjust intensity (e.g., frequency of visits, virtual check-ins) to match counselor's need. Document baseline data, coaching actions, and evidence of growth; share progress reports with counselors, principals, and the School Counseling Coordinator, and recommend support for next steps. In collaboration with the School Counseling Coordinator, conduct needs assessments; develop annual professional development calendar aligned to ASCA National Model, district initiatives, and counselor skill bands. Plan and facilitate workshops, support PLCs, and coaching cycles; evaluate impact through data collection and participant feedback. Act as primary liaison to graduate preparation programs across the Midwest; maintain partnerships, market district opportunities, and host biannual information sessions. Manage application, placement, and supervision systems for practicum students and interns; support site supervisors and ensure compliance with ASCA ethical standards. Collect and analyze data on hiring, retention, PD effectiveness, and intern outcomes; prepare reports for leadership. Contribute to program evaluations, grant proposals, and strategic planning initiatives. Represent the counseling program on district committees and at regional/state conferences as requested.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(for every DMPS position): Attend work on a prompt and regular basis. Maintain confidentiality. Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other employees. Assist with other duties as may be assigned.

DEPARTMENT

Student and Family Services

REPORTS TO

School Counseling Coordinator

RECEIVES GUIDANCE FROM

Student Services Director

BARGAINING GROUP

DMEA

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

FT/PT:

Full Time, 210 Days, 7.75 Hours/Day

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Standing, walking, sitting, bending/stooping, reaching/pushing/pulling, lifting carrying

WORKING CONDITIONS

Mostly indoors with some outdoor responsibilities during arrival/dismissal All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. Employee Benefits Information All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check. Certain positions may require fingerprinting, a drug and alcohol test, a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check. For questions about this position, contact: jeremiah.schwennen@dmschools.org __

TITLE:

School Counselor

K-8 POSITION TYPE

TCHR HIRING

SPECIFICATIONS

Required:

Master's degree in school counseling. Valid Iowa license in school counseling. Competency working in a culturally diverse environment or the willingness to acquire these skills.

Desired:

Classroom teacher experience. Prior experience at the grade level(s) of the position. Experience in an urban school district.

BASIC FUNCTION

Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the American School Counselor Association National Model and the Iowa Framework for School Counseling Programs, addressing the career, academic, and social emotional development of all students.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Develop and manage a comprehensive school counseling program aligned to ASCA model. Implement social-emotional learning initiatives throughout the school, including direct classroom instruction. Implement postsecondary success programming that facilitates student exploration of careers and postsecondary education/training. Collaborate with all staff to provide support within the DMPS version of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. Be knowledgeable about resources and services within District, as well as through community partners, in order to provide appropriate referrals for students and families when necessary Provide responsive services to meet the needs of the school community as directed by the principal. Collect and respond to data, in order to demonstrate progress toward reaching student outcome goals, as well as goals of the counseling program. Demonstrate accountability for personal, professional, and programmatic growth.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(for every DMPS position): Attend work on a prompt and regular basis. Maintain confidentiality. Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other employees. Assist with other duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT

Teaching and Learning, Student & Family Services

REPORTS TO

Building Administrator

RECEIVES GUIDANCE FROM

Counseling Department, Principal Supervisors

BARGAINING GROUP

DMEA

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

FT/PT:

Full Time, 7.75 hour/day, 210 Days

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Standing, walking, sitting, bending/stooping, reaching/pushing/pulling, lifting carrying

WORKING CONDITIONS

Mostly indoors with some outdoor responsibilities during recess and arrival/dismissal All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Position Type:

Full-Time

Salary:

$53,622 to $86,000 Per Year