School Counselor, High School

About the Role

The School Counselor helps students overcome problems that impede learning and assists them in making educational, occupational, and life plans appropriate to their age and maturity level. This role supports students’ development as productive citizens and helps them realize their potential to live full, useful lives.

Responsibilities

• Support the personal‑social, mental health, academic needs, and college and career readiness of every student in the building.
• Provide individual counseling for personal problems such as home and family relations, peer relations, health, and emotional adjustment; assist students with personal growth, self‑understanding, and maturity.
• Conduct small‑group counseling on data‑driven topics including study skills, social skills, anger management, self‑esteem, changing families, and grief.
• Deliver classroom instruction every two to three weeks on personal‑social, career and college readiness, and bullying prevention, aligned with Virginia Department of Education and ASCA standards.
• Develop a Comprehensive School Counseling Program that aligns with the ASCA Recognized Model.
• Collect, analyze, and report outcome‑oriented data on program effectiveness with an equity focus; use data to identify trends, communicate results to stakeholders, and assist counselors in measuring impact.
• Demonstrate fidelity to best practices through consistent technology use and monitoring of student outcomes.
• Provide in‑service training for staff on school counseling; collaborate with administrators and faculty on discipline, developmental issues, and identification of significant behaviors such as suicide, self‑harm, and depression.
• Foster professional growth, stay current with research, participate in professional organizations, and inform staff of state and national counseling trends.
• Collaborate with families, school staff, administrators, and other stakeholders to support student achievement and wellness.
• Interpret school objectives for students, parents, and the community; confer with parents as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and completion of an approved school counseling program.
• Experience: Successful full‑time teaching or school guidance and counseling experience.
• Licenses/Certifications: Eligibility for appropriate licensure. An active Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) license issued by the Virginia Department of Health Professionals (DHP) may be considered in lieu of these requirements. In addition to the LPC, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) may be eligible.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the structure and components of an effective school counseling program.
• Knowledge of barriers to student learning.
• Knowledge of data‑driven school counseling practices.
• Knowledge of individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom instruction methods, techniques, and best practices.
• Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional issues in public education.
• Knowledge of learning and counseling theories.
• Ability to use technology effectively and efficiently to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate school counseling services.
• Ability to collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders, and other stakeholders to promote and support student success.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly talk, express, or exchange ideas verbally; convey detailed spoken instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Normal cognitive abilities, including learning, recall, and application of policies and practices.
• Frequent sitting or remaining stationary for long periods.
• Occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force, or negligible force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects.

Additional Details

• Reports to: Principal
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Work Schedule: 11 months (218 days), 7.5 hours per day
• Salary Level: Licensed Salary Scale
• Remote Work Eligible: No
• Union Designation: Certified