Jr/Sr High School Counselor (2026-2027)

About the role

The Jr/Sr High Counselor role is a catalyst for student success, serving as an architect of a comprehensive, data-driven Student Services program. You will build a vibrant, collaborative culture by working hand-in-hand with administration, families, and community partners to deliver seamless support— from academic planning and post-secondary guidance to social-emotional growth and crisis intervention.

Responsibilities

• Uses data to develop and inform the Student Services program and evaluate the program's impact on the school's instructional goals.
• Collaborates on the development and management of the comprehensive Student Services program with school and district administration.
• Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling programs based on the WPSD annual student achievement goals and aligned with the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Standards for School Counseling Programs.
• Develops and monitors emotional intelligence/character development lessons and postsecondary lessons through Advisory Lesson Planning.
• Preventative and Responsive Services
• Designs, implements and assesses the guidance curriculum and program.
• Utilizes responsive counseling, initiating individual and group sessions for students' academic, social and personal concerns aligned with ASCA standards.
• Consults with families and staff to appraise student needs and interests and to discuss appropriate recommendations for educational options.
• Plans, coordinates and provides the classroom guidance sessions to meet the identified guidance and counseling competencies in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal and social development to assist students in developing decision-making skills and identifying life goals.
• Affirms student needs and makes referrals to appropriate school resource personnel, social agencies, community agencies and alternative programs.
• Directly involved with the MTSS process, risk and threat assessments, designing safety plans, intervenes during crisis situations and participates on the school critical incident recovery team.
• Individual Student Planning
• The counselor is expected to meet with students individually as well as in small or large group settings.
• Presents students for the transition to the next level.
• Plays a role in organizing programs such as career fairs, test skills preparation, improved/perfect attendance celebrations and other extensions of the counseling program to support students' knowledge of post-secondary options.
• Assists students in navigating their academic, workplace and community experiences, through the use of individual student planning which includes individual career and academic plan (ICAP), student interviews and other planning tools.
• (Secondary School Counselors)
• Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and career planning.
• Participates in school management teams in order to advocate for students needs and provide guidance for school staff.
• System Support
• Guides, coordinates and supports other school staff in implementing school wide advisory programs.
• Uses responsive counseling strategies to establish relationships and collaborate with educators, students, families, and community partners which reflect recognition of and respect for each individual.
• Assists families in obtaining services for their children through an appropriate referral and follow-up process.
• Serves as liaison between the social services agencies (i.e., Department of Human Service) and personnel from the various school systems.
• Supports students in the alternative education program.
• Assists teachers in understanding their students, including providing and interpreting student data.
• Provides in-service training on topics related to the school counseling program and supporting student achievement.
• Accountability
• Conducts at minimum a yearly program audit to review the extent and quality of program implementation.
• Communicates and shares the goals of the comprehensive Student Services program to stakeholders including students, families and community partners.
• Prepares and submits a variety of requested reports and data, to ensure fulfillment of established program requirements.
• Interprets tests, student data and other assessment results appropriately within the counseling environment for the purpose of developing and implementing academic plans for individual students.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in school guidance and counseling.
• Meets the Colorado Department of Education certification requirements for the Special Service Provider School Counselor license and holds a current and valid certification as a professional school counselor.
• Ability to learn the student information system (Infinite Campus).
• Familiarity with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, ASCA National Standards, ASCA School Counselor Competencies and ASCA School Counselor Performance Standards.

Additional Duties

• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and central office administration.