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:

1. Implement a comprehensive guidance program aligned with district and state requirements.
2. Provide counseling services to support students’ academic, personal/social, emotional, and college/career development.
3. Conduct individual and group counseling sessions based on identified needs.
4. Guide students through goal setting, decision making, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.

Academic Planning:

5. Assist students with academic planning, including course selection, credit monitoring, and graduation requirements.
6. Collaborate with teachers, interventionists, and administrators to identify students needing additional academic or social-emotional support.
7. Promote college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) awareness through activities, events, and individual planning sessions.

Crisis Intervention:

8. Provide immediate support and intervention in crisis situations involving students.
9. Coordinate with outside agencies and mental health providers when necessary to support student needs.
10. Participate in threat assessments, safety teams, and campus crisis response efforts.

Attendance and Behavior Support:

11. Work with attendance committees to identify and support students at risk of chronic absenteeism.
12. Collaborate with administrators and behavior teams to address student discipline concerns through counseling and behavior interventions.

Parent and Community Collaboration:

13. Conduct parent conferences to support student academic, emotional, and social development.
14. Engage parents and community resources to support student growth.
15. Provide workshops or informational sessions for parents and families on counseling topics.

Program Management and Compliance:

16. Maintain student records in compliance with district, state, and federal regulations.
17. Submit required reports and documentation accurately and promptly (e.g., PEIMS coding, counseling logs, needs assessments).
18. Participate in ARD meetings, 504 meetings, MTSS/RtI meetings, and other student support processes as appropriate.

Other Duties:

19. Actively participate in district and campus professional development activities.
20. Serve as an advocate for students’ needs in various campus and district committees.
21. 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