High School Guidance Counselor

School Administrative Unit 61 Farmington; United States; On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

School Administrative Unit 61 Farmington in the United States is seeking a dedicated High School Counselor to provide comprehensive counseling services for students in grades 9-12.

The successful candidate will offer individual and group guidance, collaborate with parents and staff, and coordinate student support services to enhance student development and learning.

The role requires a certification in guidance counseling and a commitment to student welfare and academic success.

Qualifications

• Certification in guidance counseling from the Department of Education is required.
• Experience working with high school students and special-needs populations.
• Ability to maintain professional competence and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provides individual counseling and guidance to students.
• Coordinates student support services and collaborates with school stakeholders.
• Facilitates career planning and educational decisions.
• Organizes student-parent informational sessions.

Skills

Counseling Skills

Conflict Resolution

Interpersonal Communication

Understanding of Developmental Issues

Education

Certification in Guidance Counseling

Statement of Eligibility

Job description

High School Counselor (Grades 9‑12 Guidance)

Full‑time position. Salary and benefits per CBA.

Certification or Statement of Eligibility required. Certification in guidance counseling from the Department of Education is required.

Performance Responsibilities

1. Provides individual counseling and guidance to students
   • Helps students resolve personal problems related to peers, family, school, and other stressors.
   • Encourages students to make responsible choices and decisions.
   • Assists students in discovering their worth and developing acceptance of themselves and others.
   • Takes a professional, non‑judgmental listening role and preserves confidentiality.
   • Assists students in fulfilling academic requirements by monitoring growth.
   • Evaluates records of new students for placement decisions.
   • Periodically summarizes counseling progress in guidance records.
2. Provides group guidance
   • Works with special‑needs groups to supplement individual counseling and address common issues.
   • Offers whole‑class guidance as time permits, based on needs identified by the counselor, class, teachers, and/or principal.
   • Facilitates vocational exploration in the classroom when time allows, often in collaboration with other qualified staff.
   • Offers family counseling as time and need allow.
   • Conducts adolescent health education, teaching and discussing issues related to puberty and adolescence.
3. Consults with staff, parents, and external agencies
   1. Provides services to school staff
      • Consults teachers and administration about specific students.
      • Helps develop and implement behavior‑management programs.
      • Acts as consultant to teachers and the Pupil Placement Team.
      • Serves as a resource for teachers and administrators on adjustment and developmental issues.
      • Consults with outside agencies, such as child and family services, welfare, juvenile officers, school psychologists, social workers, and other schools and programs.
   2. Provides resources to parents and families
      • Contacts or responds to parents about personal adjustments and concerns.
      • Interprets previous grades and tests as needed.
      • Discusses discipline cases.
      • Recommends and facilitates appropriate referrals.
   3. Consults with other counselors
      • Discusses common concerns.
      • Assesses counseling needs.
      • Maintains professional competence and continuous improvement.
   4. Collaborates closely with school nurses.
4. Coordinates student support services
   • Evaluates new‑student records for special‑needs areas and placement.
   • Monitors academic growth through test results and teacher‑parent‑student collaboration.
   • Refers students for special testing when appropriate.
   • Co‑ordinates services with counselors, students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.
   • Sets up, coordinates, and supervises the counselor intern program to maximize effectiveness.
5. Additional responsibilities
   • Develops the master schedule and coordinates course registration and drop/add procedures, while maintaining the program of studies.
   • Works with students individually and in groups on career and educational decisions, ensuring each senior has a tailored program upon graduation.
   • Assists seniors planning for college or vocational schools with financial aid forms, loans, and scholarships and serves as a resource and reference person.
   • Acts as a liaison with vocational centers, screening students for enrollment and monitoring progress.
   • Organizes and participates in student‑parent informational sessions, including freshman orientation, career planning, and financial aid workshops.

Conditions of Employment

The term of the contract is 200 days or in accordance with the current master agreement, and each counselor is evaluated annually by April 1 by the building principal.