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 experienceMajor 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
Professional Field
Counseling
Other Behavioral, Mental, or Healthcare Field



