School Counselor, Promise Academy Middle Schools

About the role

At Harlem Children’s Zone, our mission is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and unlock new possibilities for our children, families, and communities. Promise Academy, the K‑12 charter school within HCZ’s cradle‑to‑career pathway, delivers exceptional education alongside holistic support—empowering young minds, inspiring potential, and creating lasting change.

Responsibilities

• Conduct evaluation sessions with students using interviews, counseling sessions, interest and aptitude assessment tests, and other methods to evaluate and advise students, guardians, parents, and teachers.
• Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, and/or behavioral problems affecting their educational, physical, social, and/or emotional situation.
• Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at school or at home.
• Help students prepare for their transition to the next grade level.
• Consult with and serve as a resource for students, guardians, parents, and teachers regarding developmental needs, including determining priorities and resource needs.
• Collaborate with school staff and administrators to ensure that students are academically on grade level.
• Facilitate the integration of the guidance curriculum into the educational curricula.
• Complete written reports as needed or as requested by the Principal.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Participate in the evaluation and revision of the school guidance program.
• Attend meetings, conferences, and in‑service trainings to stay abreast of best practices and professional trends.
• Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students, guardians, or parents to seek additional assistance from HCZ staff and/or outside professionals.
• Provide special services that teach students how to handle conflicts in their environment.
• Conduct follow‑up interviews with counselors to determine if their needs have been met.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Valid NYS School Counseling Certificate (required).
• Dedication and commitment to the mission of HCZ Promise Academy.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work with parents, students, faculty, support staff, external government representatives, and school community groups.
• Understanding of different student maturity levels.
• Ability to help students gain awareness of their interests and abilities to manage behavior and thinking processes.
• Understanding of test construction and ability to interpret educational test data.
• Knowledge of grade test targets and ability to evaluate student transcripts.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement meetings involving a variety of topics and personnel.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including sick and personal days.
• No‑cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision).
• Up to $30,000 in student loan forgiveness.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Annual and performance‑based bonuses.

Pay

The salary ranges from $70,000 – $75,000, determined based on years of relevant experience, certification, and education level.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 7:40 am – 4:00 pm (10‑month role).