Counselor- Incarnate Word High School

Incarnate Word High School, an all‑girls Catholic high school sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, is seeking a full‑time counselor for the 2026‑2027 school year. Candidates must hold a current Texas Standard School Counselor certification.

Job Summary

A counselor in the IWHS Counseling department works collaboratively with the Senior Director of Counseling Services to support the school’s mission by providing a comprehensive, developmental counseling program that integrates the Catholic mission and the CCVI charism. The role delivers services across the four TEA/ASCA domains: guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning, and system support.

Essential Functions

Guidance Curriculum (TEA Domain I)

• Design and deliver a structured counseling curriculum that supports academic success, goal setting, college/career/military readiness, social‑emotional competencies, and faith formation.
• Deliver classroom lessons aligned to TEKS‑based counseling standards.
• Provide instruction on study skills, time management, digital citizenship, and college/career awareness.

Responsive Services (TEA Domain II)

• Provide immediate and short‑term counseling support, including individual and small‑group sessions (e.g., grief, anxiety, academic support).
• Conduct crisis response and risk assessment for suicide, abuse, or trauma.
• Maintain documentation in accordance with ethical and legal standards.
• Collaborate with administration on student safety and intervention plans.
• Serve as a mental‑health advocate and refer to community services when appropriate.

Individual Planning (TEA Domain III)

• Guide students in developing and monitoring Personal Graduation Plans and post‑secondary pathways.
• Provide academic advising for course selection aligned to endorsements.
• Assist with college applications, FAFSA/TASFA completion, scholarships, and financial aid.
• Interpret student data such as grades, assessments, PSAT/SAT/AP results.

System Support (TEA Domain IV)

• Collaborate with faculty, administration, and parents to support program effectiveness.
• Coordinate standardized testing (PSAT, SAT, AP exams, NWEA, ARK).
• Participate in campus improvement planning and use data to evaluate program effectiveness and close achievement gaps.
• Provide parent education sessions and workshops.

Catholic Mission Integration

• Uphold and model the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Integrate faith into counseling practices and student formation.
• Support the evangelizing mission of the Church and promote service, dignity of the person, and moral decision‑making.

Professional Practices

• Collaborate with teachers to support student achievement.
• Consult with parents regarding academic and emotional development.
• Coordinate with community agencies for student support services.
• Analyze student performance data to inform interventions and monitor progress toward graduation and college‑readiness benchmarks.
• Adhere to Texas Education Code, FERPA, and ASCA ethical standards; maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Qualifications

• Valid Texas Standard School Counselor Certification issued by the Texas Education Agency (required).
• Minimum three (3) years of secondary counseling experience; at least one year in a Catholic school preferred.
• Pass archdiocesan Safe Environment Requirements, background screening, and Texas DPS Fingerprint‑based Applicant Clearinghouse screening.
• Knowledge of Texas graduation requirements (Foundation + Endorsements), college readiness standards (TSIA‑2, SAT/ACT, FAFSA), and SEL frameworks.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, databases, student information systems, and counseling platforms (e.g., Naviance).
• Strong understanding of adolescent development, crisis intervention, and risk assessment.
• Effective communication with diverse stakeholders and ability to analyze academic and behavioral data.
• Organizational and multitasking capacity.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Standard five‑day work week with occasional evenings and weekends for events.
• Work performed in classrooms, offices, and typical school environments.
• Manage high to moderate stress levels; respond calmly to crisis situations.
• Frequent sitting, standing, computer use, and occasional lifting of supplies, textbooks, furniture, and equipment.
• Physical activities include bending, stooping, reaching, grabbing, pulling, and monitoring students in varied locations and conditions.
• Repetitive tasks such as keyboarding, writing, and reading.