Guidance Counselor

State of South Carolina; West Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School in West Columbia, SC seeks a compassionate Guidance Counselor to deliver comprehensive counseling and support services to students, helping them develop academic, career, social-emotional, and life skills for success.

The ideal candidate will build positive relationships with students, families, faculty, and community partners, and support students in a structured, supportive educational environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in School Counseling from an accredited institution.
• South Carolina certification/licensure for school counseling, or eligibility to obtain credentials.
• Experience working with adolescents in a school or youth-serving setting preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships with students while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Knowledge of academic, career, social-emotional, and post-secondary counseling practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling services to students.
• Assist with academic planning, goal setting, and post-secondary planning.
• Conduct student assessments and identify needs (academic, social-emotional, behavioral).
• Develop and monitor individualized student support plans.
• Provide crisis intervention and referrals to school/community resources.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, families, and student-support professionals.
• Maintain confidential student records and counseling documentation.
• Support students in developing communication, decision-making, and life skills.
• Assist with employment preparation, continuing education, and vocational training.
• Coordinate with community agencies when additional support is needed.
• Participate in student conferences, staff meetings, and professional development.
• Promote a safe, respectful, inclusive, and supportive school environment.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent communication

Problem solving

Ability to build trusting relations

Education

Master’s degree in School Counseling

South Carolina certification/licensure for school counseling

Job description

Job Responsibilities

Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School is seeking a compassionate, student-centered Guidance Counselor to join our team. The Guidance Counselor will provide comprehensive counseling and support services to students while helping them develop the academic, career, social-emotional, and life skills necessary for success.

The ideal candidate will build positive relationships with students, families, faculty, and community partners and will be committed to supporting students who may benefit from a structured, supportive educational environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling services to students.
• Assist students with academic planning, goal setting, career exploration, and post-secondary planning.
• Conduct student assessments and help identify academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Develop and monitor individualized student support plans as appropriate.
• Provide crisis intervention and make referrals to appropriate school and community resources.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, families, and other student-support professionals.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records and counseling documentation.
• Assist students in developing effective communication, decision-making, conflict-resolution, and life skills.
• Support students in preparing for employment, continuing education, vocational training, and other post-graduation opportunities.
• Coordinate with community agencies and service providers when additional student support is needed.
• Participate in student conferences, staff meetings, professional development, and school activities.
• Promote a safe, respectful, inclusive, and supportive school environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by school administration.

Qualifications

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Education, Social Work, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Appropriate South Carolina certification/licensure for school counseling, or eligibility to obtain required credentials.
• Experience working with adolescents and/or students in a school or youth‑serving setting preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Knowledge of academic, career, social‑emotional, and post‑secondary counseling practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to maintaining student confidentiality and following all applicable policies and regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with students who face academic, behavioral, social, or other barriers to educational success.
• Experience with career development, workforce readiness, or post‑secondary transition planning.
• Experience providing individual and group counseling.
• Familiarity with community resources and youth‑serving agencies.

Additional Comments

Why Join Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School?

This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. The Guidance Counselor will play an important role in helping students identify their strengths, overcome barriers, establish goals, and prepare for successful futures.

Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School is committed to providing students with opportunities for personal growth, education, career development, and lifelong success.

Benefits For State Employees

• The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave.
• Plus, work‑life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

• Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits.
• Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

• State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
• Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

• State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time‑limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

Are you retired from the US Army?

• Yes
• No

02

If answer to Question 1 is yes, please indicate the number of years you served in the US Army.

• Less than 5 years
• 5 to 10 years
• 10 to 20 years
• More than 20 years

03

Did you receive an honorable discharge?

• Yes
• No

04

What is the highest rank you achieved while in the US Army?

05

Are you certified through United States Army Cadet Command (USACC), Junior ROTC Directorate?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question