Guidance and Counseling Education Specialist

Montgomery-Public-Schools; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery Public Schools is seeking a Guidance Specialist to lead and coordinate the district’s comprehensive guidance and counseling program. This role ensures students receive academic, social-emotional, and college/career readiness support, working with counselors and district staff to strengthen scheduling, transcript accuracy, and graduation readiness.

The position oversees dual enrollment and early college initiatives in partnership with local colleges and universities, guiding a

Qualifications

• Current Alabama Teacher's Certification in School Counseling.
• Master’s Degree or higher, with an endorsement in administration preferred.
• Minimum of five years of successful experience as a school counselor across elementary, middle, and high school levels, with central office experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate system-wide implementation and delivery of a comprehensive guidance and counseling plan.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and accountability of counseling services in each school.
• Plan and implement training programs, seminars, and professional development opportunities for counselors.
• Participate in the interview and selection process for counselors and assist with counselor assignments.
• Establish a systematic approach for making the Guidance and Counseling Program visible to the district and the community.
• Provide leadership to ensure that all students develop a four-year career plan and leave high school College and Career Ready.
• Provide guidance on procedures for reviewing, monitoring, and auditing student transcripts.
• Communicating with district staff, state staff, and school officials to ensure career readiness information is accurate and timely.

Skills

Leadership in counseling programs

Experience across K-12 levels

ALA Guidance knowledge

Education

Master’s Degree or higher with admin endorsement

Current Alabama Teacher's Certification in School Counseling

Tools

PowerSchool

Job description

Job Description Title: Guidance Specialist

Supervised by/Reports to: Associate Superintendent of Student Services & Chief Academic Officer

Terms of Employment

At-will employee subject to the Students First Act of 2011 and other applicable state and federal laws. Daily work schedule will be determined by the supervisor.

FLSA Designation

Exempt

Position Summary

The Guidance Specialist serves as a district leader in supporting and advancing Montgomery Public Schools’ comprehensive guidance and counseling program. This position provides leadership and coordination to ensure all students receive the academic, social-emotional, and college and career readiness support needed for success. The specialist collaborates with school counselors, principals, and district staff to strengthen scheduling practices, ensure accurate transcript data, and monitor graduation and readiness indicators. Additionally, the role oversees dual enrollment and early college initiatives in partnership with local colleges and universities. Through strategic leadership and collaboration, the Guidance Specialist helps ensure that every student graduates on time and fully prepared for life beyond high school.

Qualifications

• Current Alabama Teacher's Certification in School Counseling.
• Master’s Degree or higher, with an endorsement in administration preferred.
• Minimum of five years of successful experience as a school counselor, preferably with experience across elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as central office experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the Alabama Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Plan, including its goals, objectives, activities, delivery methods, and accountability systems.

Reports To

Associate Superintendent of Student Services & Chief Academic Officer

Supervises

• Provides leadership, coordination, and professional guidance for all school counselors across the district.

Essential Duties

• Coordinate system-wide implementation and delivery of a comprehensive guidance and counseling plan.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and accountability of counseling services in each school.
• Plan and implement training programs, seminars, and professional development opportunities for counselors.
• Participate in the interview and selection process for counselors and assist with counselor assignments.
• Establish a systematic approach for making the Guidance and Counseling Program visible to the district and the community.
• Provide leadership to ensure that all students develop a four-year career plan and leave high school College and Career Ready.
• Provide guidance on procedures for reviewing, monitoring, and auditing student transcripts.
• Communicating verbally, electronically, and in writing with district staff, state staff, and school officials/personnel so that career readiness information is completed in an accurate, effective, professional, and timely manner.
• Work with counselors and system analysts to ensure accuracy of course information including credit information, state course codes, transcript information and CTE data in PowerSchool.
• Provide leadership and support to schools in the development and implementation of master schedules that align with student needs, graduation requirements, and college/career readiness pathways.
• Coordinate and support high school dual enrollment and early college programs in collaboration with local colleges, universities, and technical institutions.
• Ensure counselors and administrators receive ongoing training on dual enrollment and early college eligibility, policies, and processes.
• Support counselors in the development, implementation, and monitoring of Section 504 processes in coordination with the Director of Student Support Services.
• Consult and collaborate with district staff, school administrators, and community agencies to support student success.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Dual Enrollment/Early College Participation: Annual 10%-20% increase in students participating in dual enrollment/early college programs.
• College and Career Readiness: Year-over-year growth in the percentage of students graduating College and Career Ready (CCR) as defined by ALSDE. MPS College and Career Readiness Indicator must be 100% annually.
• Graduation Rate: Increase the graduation rate by 3% - 19%, ensuring alignment with state accountability standards.
• Scheduling Accuracy: Reduction in scheduling errors/conflicts measured by transcript audits and student feedback.
• Counselor Development: 100% of counselors participating in annual professional development.
• 504 Compliance: At least 95% compliance in timely completion and monitoring of Section 504 documentation.
• Career Planning: 100% of students in grades 9–12 maintaining an updated four-year career plan in the district’s student information system.
• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Improvement in satisfaction survey results from counselors, students, and families regarding counseling services and scheduling support.

Terms of Employment

• Twelve-month position.
• Salary and benefits consistent with the approved Montgomery Public Schools salary schedule.

Evaluation

• Performance will be evaluated annually by the Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services and Chief Academic Officer (or designee) in accordance with Board policy and established evaluation procedures.

SPECIAL NOTE: The person selected for this position must agree to a background check, be fingerprinted, and pay a $46.20 fee. This is required by law.

SPECIAL NOTE: For employees starting work after the beginning date of the work term, the salary will be pro-rated and based on the number of contract days left in the school year, divided by the remaining months in the contract year.

THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. "NO PERSON SHALL BE DENIED EMPLOYMENT OR BE EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATION IN ANY PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY, SEX, RACE, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, COLOR OR AGE."