School Counselor Contractor

This position is remote and strongly prefers candidates that reside in Virginia. May consider candidates in Washington, DC and Maryland. Must be able to attend in-person professional development, testing, and other school events.

About the Role

Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, the School Counselor promotes student success by providing preventive services and responding to identified needs through implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program. This program helps guide all learners in their academic success, social and emotional development, and career and college planning and readiness.

K12, a Stride Company, provides families with an online option for a high-quality, personalized education experience. The mission of Virginia Virtual Academy (VAVA) is to provide an exemplary individualized and engaging educational experience for students by incorporating school and community/family partnerships coupled with a rigorous curriculum and a data-driven, student-centered instructional model.

Responsibilities

• Helps all students plan for postsecondary options (enroll in education, enlist in military, or employ in workforce).
• Applies academic achievement strategies and helps students manage emotions and interpersonal skills.
• Focuses students and families on college and career readiness.
• Meets quarterly with all students on caseload to review graduation plans and post-secondary options.
• Delivers classroom instruction based on student success standards.
• Reviews transcripts and other academic documentation for new and returning students.
• Works collaboratively with teaching staff to develop a four-year graduation plan and audits student schedules for graduation candidacy as determined by school and state policies.
• Assists students in course placement, including recommendations on Advanced Placement (AP) and pathways to challenge and enrich student learning opportunities.
• Analyzes student data and develops data-driven programs for intervention action plans.
• Provides short-term counseling to students and referrals for long-term support, as necessary.
• Provides a support system that strengthens the efforts of teachers, staff, and parents.
• Supports standardized testing program, parent education, and staff development.
• May advocate for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings.
• Focuses students and families on goal setting and academic planning for college and career readiness.
• Travels up to 20% of the time for face-to-face professional development, student testing, and/or as required by the school.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three (3) years of experience in counseling and/or advisement.
• School Counselor License.
• Virginia Counselor Certification required.
• Ability to clear required background check.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, web-based search engines, and database systems.
• Flexible schedule; ability to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in school counseling.
• Experience with distance learning.
• Advanced coursework in counseling and administration.
• Experience as a teacher.
• Experience in a customer service environment.
• Experience with local, state, and federal laws and mandated reporting.
• Experience in a charter school environment preferred.
• Experience with state career planning systems, Pathfinder, or other career planning platforms/tools.

Pay

Stride, Inc. considers a person’s education, experience, qualifications, work location, expected quality and quantity of work, and required travel when determining salary. Offers will typically be in the bottom half of the range.