College and Career Counselor

Waukegan School Dist 60; Washington; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 is seeking a College and Career Counselor to lead the College & Career Center at WHS - Washington Campus, guiding students, families and staff on college and career planning.

The role supports Naviance-based planning, develops programs, coordinates speakers, and assists with college applications and financial aid processes.

Qualifications

• Must hold valid Illinois Professional Educators License.
• Endorsement: School Counselor.
• Experience in counseling or guidance preferred.
• Familiarity with Naviance or similar platforms is a plus.
• Strong organizational and communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Provide career and college entrance information and assistance to students, teachers, parents and counselors.
• Coordinate day-to-day operations and schedule activities, programs and speakers.
• Prepare career education and instructional materials for use by teachers and students.
• Assist students in locating and using college/career information as needed for research, assignments and post-high school planning.
• Train and support the implementation of the Naviance College, Career and Life Readiness (CCLR) Framework. Facilitate interest inventories, Career Experiences and 4-year planning.
• Obtain, organize, file and display guidance materials; catalog and prepare for use by students; maintain displays and bulletin boards.
• Plan, organize, develop and implement career events and publications; prepare letters, flyers, mailers and other materials to publicize Career Center services, resources and speaker programs.

Skills

Oral and written communication skills

Record-keeping techniques

Public relations skills

Organize, maintain and operate Career/

Education

Illinois Professional Educators License

Tools

MACs and Windows office software

Job description

• Position Type: Professional Staff Student Support Services/ School Counselor
• Date Posted: 8/24/2026
• Location: WHS - Washington Campus

College and Career Counselor Job Description

Who We Are:

Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 serves nearly 13,000 students in preschool through grade 12 and is located halfway between Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan. The District has 1 early learning center, 15 elementary schools, five middle schools and a high school program divided between two 9th–12thgrade campuses. The District encompasses portions of Waukegan, Beach Park, and Park City.

Why We Do This Work:

The Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 has set an ambitious agenda for change, guided by the belief that all children, regardless of circumstances, can achieve at high levels and academic gaps can and will be eliminated with the support of teachers who deliver engaging, relevant, and academically-rigorous instruction that excites students and instills a love of learning in them.

What We Need:

Under the direction of the Waukegan High School Principal and the College and Career Coordinator, the College and Career Counselor will organize, maintain and operate a high school College & Career Center and provide a wide variety of career information and materials; communicate with students, faculty, parents and community representatives concerning career planning and college entrance.

DUTIES:

• Provide career and college entrance information and assistance to students, teachers, parents and counselors;
• coordinate day-to-day operations and schedule activities, programs and speakers.
• Prepare career education and instructional materials for use by teachers and students;
• assist students in locating and using college/career information as needed for research, assignments and post-high school planning.
• Train and support the implementation of the Naviance College, Career and Life Readiness (CCLR) Framework. Facilitate interest inventories, Career Experiences and 4-year planning.
• Obtain, organize, file and display guidance materials; catalog and prepare for use by students; maintain displays and bulletin boards.
• Plan, organize, develop and implement career events and publications; prepare letters, flyers, mailers and other materials to publicize Career Center services, resources and speaker programs.
• Contact, schedule and arrange guest speakers from the local business community, colleges and military services to present information regarding specific occupations.
• Schedule visitations by representatives from local colleges; organize, coordinate and publicize career-related events and other opportunities for students to learn about higher education and vocational training and preparation.
• Develop and maintain a current and comprehensive occupational library including information on careers and career clusters, employment prospects and trends and employment requirements and opportunities; obtain and circulate current college catalogs.
• Provide information concerning scholastic aptitude and achievement tests; distribute test results as appropriate.
• Assist students with Career Center materials and equipment.
• Prepare and deliver informational presentation as requested; orient students to Career Center resources and services.
• Maintain a current inventory of Career Center equipment and materials;
• assist in determining purchase priorities. Plan and conduct Career Days, Career Month, Teen Job Fairs, or College Fairs
• Attend meetings, conferences and seminars regarding career trends, college entrance and financial aid.
• Assist students with completion of college applications and scheduling and financial aid (FASFA);
• meet with parents one-on-one and through the coordination of financial aid workshops to complete FASFA applications.
• Developing programs to teach students and parents about the college admissions process.
• Coordinating necessary paperwork to help students satisfy college admissions requirements.
• Assessing students' academic progress to meet requirements of specific colleges and college programs.
• Communicating with college admissions and financial aid departments. Assisting students with finding out about scholarships and other supportive programs.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Career and occupational resources, trends, and opportunities.
• College entrance requirements and procedures.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Basic research methods.
• College admission requirements, financial aid requirements, and training necessary for future careers.
• Organize, maintain and operate a high school Career Center.
• Provide specialized assistance and information concerning career planning and college entrance to students, parents, staff, and community agencies.
• Develop and provide information and materials related to career/college opportunities for high school students.
• Obtain, evaluate and process occupational literature.
• Operate MACs in a Windows environment using various office productivity software applications
• Operate modern office equipment and audio/visual equipment.
• Work independently using effective public relations skills with little direction.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Plan and organize work.
• Work confidentially with discretion.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Must have valid Illinois Professional Educators License.

Endorsements: School Counselor

Compensation: Per Contract.

Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 offers employment opportunities without regard to age, gender, race, color, national origin, religion, marital or military/veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, parental status, genetics, disability or other protected category.