About this role
PRIMARY PURPOSE: Provide guidance and counseling services to help students achieve personal, social, emotional, academic, and career development. Foster a safe, supportive school environment, aligned with district and state standards, to ensure student success. In compliance with Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines, school counselors must spend at least 80% of their total work time providing direct counseling services to students. No more than 20% of their time may be spent on administrative or non-counseling duties. QUALIFICATIONS: Education/Certification:
• Master's degree in Counseling or related field from an accredited university
• Valid Texas School Counselor Certification
Special Knowledge/Skills:
• Knowledge of counseling procedures, techniques, and best practices
• Strong understanding of child/adolescent development, social-emotional learning (SEL), and trauma-informed practices
• Ability to organize and deliver comprehensive guidance and counseling programs
• Strong consultation skills with teachers, administrators, and parents
• Ability to interpret educational and psychological assessment data
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Experience:
• Two (2) years of successful classroom teaching experience
Major Responsibilities and Duties: Guidance and Counseling:
• Implement a comprehensive guidance program aligned with district and state requirements.
• Provide counseling services to support students' academic, personal/social, emotional, and college/career development.
• Conduct individual and group counseling sessions based on identified needs.
• Guide students through goal setting, decision making, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
Academic Planning:
• Assist students with academic planning, including course selection, credit monitoring, and graduation requirements.
• Collaborate with teachers, interventionists, and administrators to identify students needing additional academic or social-emotional support.
• Promote college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) awareness through activities, events, and individual planning sessions.
Crisis Intervention:
• Provide immediate support and intervention in crisis situations involving students.
• Coordinate with outside agencies and mental health providers when necessary to support student needs.
• Participate in threat assessments, safety teams, and campus crisis response efforts.
Attendance and Behavior Support:
• Work with attendance committees to identify and support students at risk of chronic absenteeism.
• Collaborate with administrators and behavior teams to address student discipline concerns through counseling and behavior interventions.
Parent and Community Collaboration:
• Conduct parent conferences to support student academic, emotional, and social development.
• Engage parents and community resources to support student growth.
• Provide workshops or informational sessions for parents and families on counseling topics.
Program Management and Compliance:
• Maintain student records in compliance with district, state, and federal regulations.
• Submit required reports and documentation accurately and promptly (e.g., PEIMS coding, counseling logs, needs assessments).
• Participate in ARD meetings, 504 meetings, MTSS/RtI meetings, and other student support processes as appropriate.
Other Duties:
• Actively participate in district and campus professional development activities.
• Serve as an advocate for students' needs in various campus and district committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or district administration.
Additional Duties by Campus Level: Elementary School Counselor:
• Focus on foundational character education, social skills development, and early academic planning.
• Provide preventative classroom guidance lessons and small group sessions targeting friendship skills, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation.
• Support early intervention for behavioral and emotional concerns.
Middle School Counselor:
• Support students during critical transitional years with academic advising, goal setting, and career exploration.
• Facilitate small groups focusing on peer relationships, self-esteem, and coping strategies.
• Coordinate with staff on interventions for attendance, behavior, and academic challenges.
High School Counselor:
• Provide academic advising on graduation requirements, college admissions, financial aid (FAFSA/TASFA), and scholarship opportunities.
• Assist students with post-secondary planning including career pathways, military options, and workforce readiness.
• Monitor credit accrual and recovery programs to ensure on-time graduation.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITITES: NONE Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting Motion: Frequent walking Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); occasional physical restraint of students to control behavior Environment: Work inside, may work outside Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours