Elementary School Counselor

Job Description

** Applications will be received until February 20, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **

About this job:

Elementary school counselors help their students achieve academic success, develop an understanding of career opportunities and develop social/ emotional skills in response to issues they face.

What DPS Offers You:

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• Competitive Teacher/SSP Compensation and Procomp Incentive plan, click here for the DCTA Teacher and SSP Salary Schedule. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles. Please note: You must submit all relevant documentation via onboarding before the deadline (15 days after receiving your offer letter) for salary setting purpose.
• In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.

What You'll Do:

• Contributes to and/or manages the school counseling program using the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) national model and delivers counseling services through classroom guidance lessons, small groups, and individual counseling.
• Uses data to design counseling services that support student achievement, analyzing data results and using results to inform stakeholders and continuously improve programs.
• Assists with transitions, particularly early childhood to kindergarten to first grade to middle school.
• Counsels students to encourage and support student achievement in all ASCA domains (personal/social, academic, and career-readiness); counsels students regarding educational issues such as course and program selection, school adjustment, study habits, attendance and college and career readiness planning; and counsels individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
• Creates and updates accurate and complete student records as required by laws, District policies, and administrative regulations.
• Observes and evaluates student performance, behavior, social development, and physical health and confers with parents/guardians, teachers, other counselors, and administrators to resolve student issues; identifies cases involving domestic abuse or other family problems affecting student development; and provides crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
• Meets with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and resource needs.
• Prepares students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
• Encourages students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals when necessary.
• Advises teachers and other school personnel on methods to enhance school and classroom atmosphere to provide a motivating educational environment.

What You'll Need:

• Master's Degree in School Counseling, Psychology or related field, required.
• Current Colorado Department of Education Special Service Provider License - School Counselor.
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
• Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration, Accountability. Fun

About Us

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.

DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.