2026-27 Counselor - Horizon HS

Paradise Valley Unified School District; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Paradise Valley Unified School District is seeking a high school Counselor at Horizon High School. The role involves providing comprehensive guidance services, developing educational and career plans, and supporting students toward graduation and postsecondary opportunities.

The counselor will collaborate with families, teachers, and external partners to promote student success and facilitate programs like College Night and AVID.

Qualifications

• Masters level counseling education required.
• Arizona Counseling Certificate required.
• Experience with high school counseling and college/career planning preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyze transcripts to ensure graduation requirements.
• Assist students with Educational/Career Action Plans and postsecondary goals.
• Support students with financial aid, college materials, applications, and scholarships.

Skills

Student counseling

Educational planning

Collaboration

Education

Masters degree in counseling

Arizona Department of Education Counseling Certificate

Tools

PVOnline

Job description

Counselor
Location: Horizon High School
FTE: 1.0
Interim Position
Start Date: Immediately - 5/27/2027

Purpose Statement
The job of Counselor - High School is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional process with specific responsibility for implementing the ASCA National Standards for Students with assigned pupils; managing the schedules and placement of assigned students; providing course curriculum, information and recommendations to students and parents; and assisting in the development of goals and plans for achievement.
This job reports to Site Administrator

Essential Functions

• Analyzes transcripts for the purpose of ensuring compliance with graduation requirements.
• Assists students with developing their Educational/Career Action Plan for the purpose of supporting them in pursing their high school and post high school goals.
• Assists students (e.g. financial aid, college materials, applications, on line registration, scholarships, etc.) for the purpose of supporting activities necessary for securing financial aid for post graduation academic and/or vocation opportunities.
• Collaborates with internal and external personnel (e.g. colleges, middle schools, site personnel, etc.) for the purpose of implementing and/or maintaining services and programs.
• Coordinates with teachers, college and university personnel, resource specialists and/or community for the purpose of providing/receiving requested information and/or making recommendations.
• Counsels students, parents, and guardians (e.g. Crisis Counseling, Social Emotional Counseling, Academic Counseling, NCAA advisement, Mid-year graduation, etc.) for the purpose of enhancing student success in school.
• Develops a variety of special programs and activities (e.g. College Night, Peer Tutoring Program, PVCC Day, Senior Awards Night, Freshman Orientation, Financial Aid Night, etc.) for the purpose of providing information to assist students in the successful transition from high school to career, training and/or continuing education.
• Monitors students' progress (e.g. classroom academics, PVONLINE courses, Dual enrollments, etc.) for the purpose of identifying issues and taking appropriate action for increasing student success.
• Participates in a variety of meetings (e.g. IEP, RED, MET, 504, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Prepares a wide variety of materials (e.g. correspondences, financial and scholarship information, new student packets, surveys, newsletters, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Presents information (e.g. Career Readiness, Career Exploration, Scholarships, AVID, PVONLINE, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information and/or gaining feedback.
• Proctors standardized assessments and exams (e.g. AIMS, PSAT, PLAN, ASVAB, AP exams, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the security and integrity of the exam process.
• Reports health and safety issues to assigned administrator and appropriate agencies (e.g. fights, suspected child or substance abuse, inappropriate social behaviors, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining students personal safety, a positive learning environment and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Researches program eligibility requirements (e.g. financial aid, college eligibility, etc.) for the purpose of providing up-to-date, accurate counsel to students.
• Responds to a wide variety of inquiries from internal and external parties (e.g. staff, parents, students, visitors, public agencies, etc.) for the purpose of providing information, facilitating communication among parties and/or providing direction.
• Schedules student classes for the purpose of securing appropriate placement and meeting their graduation and college eligibility requirements.
• Supervises assigned programs (e.g. Peer Mediation, Teen AA, Peer Tutoring, etc.) for the purpose of monitoring performance and achieving overall curriculum objectives.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; preparing and maintaining accurate records; planning and managing projects; using pertinent software applications.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: stages of child development; age appropriate activities/behaviors; assessment instruments and techniques.

ABILITY is required to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing a variety of complex processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions

of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working with frequent interruptions.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 30% sitting, 10% walking, and 60% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations.

Experience: Job related experience is desired.

Education: Masters degree in job-related area.

Certificates and Licenses

• Arizona Department of Education Counseling Certificate

Clearances

• Criminal Background Clearance
• Valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
• FLSA Status - Exempt

Paradise Valley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the School's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), or Title II of the Genetic Information NonDiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.