High School Counselor-New Mexico Connections Academy

Connections Education LLC; Clayton (NM); Remote; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Connections Academy is seeking a High School Counselor to help students and families with course planning, scheduling, and graduation requirements. You will become an expert on state credits, work with the Manager of Counseling Services to establish processes, and act as the primary contact for student concerns across subjects.

The role involves advising on academics and career planning, maintaining transcripts, coordinating records, and supporting AP/SAT/ACT preparation.

Qualifications

• New Mexico service certification in High School Counseling.
• Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products).
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Customer focused approach.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• High degree of flexibility.
• Team player with demonstrated leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel).
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and email address for 2-step authentication.

Responsibilities

• Advise students and families related to academics, career planning and graduation.
• Keep abreast of graduation requirements and communicate this information to staff.
• Assist students with course selection and develop a Four Year Plan for graduation requirements.
• Advise on dropping courses and schedule changes while following policies.
• Review and maintain student transcripts and credits in the online system.
• Ensure transcripts are accurate and up-to-date.
• Coordinate with school records from prior schools and forward records when appropriate.
• Implement programs for interpersonal adjustment for students and families.
• Identify families’ access to school and community resources with school teams.
• Develop crisis prevention and management plans with SST membership.
• Coordinate teachers to identify at-risk or in-crisis students and act as liaison with families.
• Oversee and maintain each student’s Personal Learning Plan (PLP).
• Secure complete and accurate student records.
• Support withdrawal processes and data collection.
• Report critical incidents as required by law and policy.
• Assist with enrolling students mid-semester and integrate into coursework.
• Communicate with Curriculum Team to ensure alignment with state requirements.
• Implement AP support, SAT/ACT preparation, and college entrance preparation.
• Assist with college and job applications and post-secondary planning.
• Educate on admissions requirements and financial aid.
• Support professional development for teachers and staff.
• Perform teaching duties as needed and coordinate graduation ceremonies.

Skills

Tech proficiency

Communication skills

Customer focus

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Team leadership

Travel readiness

2-step authentication

Education

New Mexico service certification in High School Counseling

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

New Mexico Connections Academy is a tuition-free, online school serving students in grades K–12 throughout Oregon. Connections Academy schools are supported by Connections Education LLC, which is accredited by Cognia, formerly Cognia, formerly AdvancED. Oregon Connections Academy is authorized by the Prairie City School District to serve students throughout Oregon.

New Mexico Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Position Summary and Responsibilities

Working from your home in New Mexico, the High School Counselor will assist students and parents/learning coaches with course selection, scheduling and will be the initial point of contact for student concerns that span multiple subject areas as well as non-academic issues. The School Counselor will become an expert on course and credit requirements and will work with the Manager of Counseling Services to establish counseling processes for middle and high school students.

The High School Counselor will be responsible for the successful completion of the following tasks:

• Advise students and families related to academics, career planning and graduation;
• Keep abreast of all high school graduation requirements, including special requirements such as community service, and communicate this information to the High School Coordinator and to the principal;
• Assist students and parents with the secondary school course selection process according to specific state credit and graduation requirements and student needs and interests. An integral part of this process is assisting students and parents to develop a Four Year Plan for meeting graduation requirements;
• Advise students with issues related to dropping courses and changing schedules, seeking support as needed, while ensuring that the school’s course selection and drop policies are adhered to;
• Review student transcripts and the entry of credits into the online transcript system;
• Follow procedures to ensure that student transcripts are accurate and up-to-date;
• Work with the administrative assistants to obtain school records from the student’s previous school (where applicable) and forwarding student records when appropriate;
• Implement programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues;
• Work with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources;
• Participate in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school and serve as a key member of the Student Support Team (SST);
• Coordinate a team of middle and high school teachers to help identify students who are “at risk” or “in crisis”; Act as the main point of contact for these students and families, communicating regularly with them;
• Oversee and maintain the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for each student;
• Implement efforts to secure complete and accurate records for students;
• Support families through the school withdrawal process, assisting with data collection regarding withdrawal;
• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards. Stay abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation;
• Assist teachers when students enroll mid-semester, making sure that teachers receive guidance on integrating the students into their coursework, and ensuring that previous grades, credits, and evaluations are handled appropriately;
• Communicate with the Curriculum Team to ensure that curriculum offerings meet state requirements;
• Implement special programs such as Advanced Placement support, SAT and ACT Preparation, and college entrance preparation;
• Understand the requirements for and assist the principal to facilitate the administration of all high school testing, including exit exams, PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams;
• Help students to research and understand their post-secondary career and educational options;
• Assist with student preparation of applications for college and jobs;
• Educate students and parents about college admissions requirements and financial aid;
• Support professional development activities for teachers and school staff members;
• Assume teaching and grading duties as necessary including teaching middle school elective courses;
• Coordinate high school graduation ceremonies; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• New Mexico service certification in High School Counseling
• Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Customer focused approach
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• High degree of flexibility
• Team player with demonstrated leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environment
• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and email address for 2-step authentication