School Counselor

The Stepping Stones Group; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 30,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Stepping Stones Group is hiring School Counselors to implement a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program across elementary, middle, and high school settings. Roles include direct student counseling, class lessons, and collaboration with teachers and families.

Onsite positions offer a steady schedule and immediate start with potential for renewal based on performance. Openings include full-time 35 hours per week and part-time 17.5 hours per week, with assignments on a school-year

Qualifications

• Current school counselor license from the New Mexico Public Education Department
• Ability to provide in-person services at school sites
• Knowledge of ethical standards for school counselors
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to complete required state clearances and background checks
• Authorization to work in the United States

Responsibilities

• Help students develop and achieve academic goals and monitor academic progress with interventions as needed
• Introduce students to career options through age-appropriate exploration activities, and guide the development and annual review of academic and career plans
• Deliver developmentally appropriate classroom lessons that build social and emotional skills
• Provide individual and group counseling to support student well-being
• Respond to students in crisis, support conflict resolution and peer relationships, and connect families to community-based services
• Facilitate referrals to internal and external mental health resources
• Serve on school crisis response and threat assessment teams
• Develop and manage a school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model, using student data to identify needs and measure outcomes
• Participate in school wellness and leadership teams and attend IEP, student support team, and 504 meetings as appropriate
• Consult with teachers, administrators, families, and community agencies
• Advocate for student inclusion, equity, and access to educational opportunities
• Maintain accurate documentation and protect student confidentiality in line with FERPA and mandated reporting requirements

Skills

Licensed school counselor

In-person service ability

Strong written and verbal comms

Background checks & state clearances

Authorization to work in the United St

Education

NM PED school counselor license

Job description

The Stepping Stones Group

Make a Difference Every Day

Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!

School-Based School Counselor | Full-Time and Part-Time | K-12 | Elementary, Middle, and High School Openings | Multiple Openings

About the Opportunity

Are you a licensed school counselor who wants to see your work make a difference in students' daily lives? The Stepping Stones Group is seeking School Counselors to implement a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program that supports students' academic achievement, career readiness, and social and emotional development. Grounded in the ASCA National Model, this role calls for strong collaboration with educators, families, and community partners to promote student success and well-being. Openings are available at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, with the greatest need at the elementary level. This is an assignment for the remainder of the school year, with potential for renewal based on performance.

• Pay: Competitive hourly rate
• Schedule: Full-time (35 hours per week) and part-time (17.5 hours per week) openings available, on a school-year schedule
• Setting: Onsite, in-person, school-based (no virtual services), elementary, middle, and high school
• Sites: Support at 1-2 school sites (full-time elementary counselors may serve up to 2 schools)
• Assignment length: Remainder of the 2026-27 school year, with potential for renewal based on performance
• Start date: Immediate
• Employment type: W-2
• Location: Shared with candidates during the application process

What You'll Do

• Help students develop and achieve academic goals and educational plans, and monitor academic progress with interventions as needed
• Introduce students to career options through age-appropriate exploration activities, and guide the development and annual review of academic and career plans
• Deliver developmentally appropriate classroom lessons that build social and emotional skills
• Provide individual and group counseling to support student well-being
• Respond to students in crisis, support conflict resolution and peer relationships, and connect families to community-based services
• Facilitate referrals to internal and external mental health resources
• Serve on school crisis response and threat assessment teams
• Develop and manage a school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model, using student data to identify needs and measure outcomes
• Participate in school wellness and leadership teams and attend IEP, student support team, and 504 meetings as appropriate
• Consult with teachers, administrators, families, and community agencies
• Advocate for student inclusion, equity, and access to educational opportunities
• Maintain accurate documentation and protect student confidentiality in line with FERPA and mandated reporting requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Current school counselor license from the New Mexico Public Education Department
• Ability to provide in-person services at school sites
• Knowledge of ethical standards for school counselors
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to complete required state clearances and background checks
• Authorization to work in the United States

You'll Thrive in This Role If You Are Open To:

• Working onsite and in person in a school
• Supporting students at the elementary, middle, or high school level
• Serving up to two school sites, if placed at the elementary level
• Collaborating with teachers, families, administrators, and community partners
• Working a defined school-year assignment with potential for renewal

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a school counselor
• Experience with elementary school students, for elementary placements
• Experience with the ASCA National Model
• Bilingual in Spanish and English (highly desirable)
• Experience with crisis response and threat assessment teams
• Experience supporting students with IEPs and 504 plans

Related Experience We Value

Experience as a School Counselor, School Social Worker, School-Based Therapist, Mental Health Clinician, Behavioral Health Clinician, or Child and Adolescent Therapist is highly valued.

Why Candidates Choose This Role

• Full-time and part-time options to fit your availability
• Hands-on school-based work with a consistent weekday schedule
• Opportunity to lead a comprehensive school counseling program
• Potential for renewal based on performance
• Evenings, weekends, and school breaks typically off

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay
• Health and wellness benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance and 401(k) retirement plan for eligible employees
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Continuing education resources, including free CEUs and approved webinars
• Employee referral bonus program
• Supportive and collaborative clinical leadership
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Meaningful work that directly impacts students and communities

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

Successful school counselors are compassionate, organized, and dependable. They build trust with students quickly, document clearly, collaborate well with school teams, and keep students' wellbeing at the center of every decision.

About The Stepping Stones Group

We believe every child deserves exceptional support to succeed academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. We partner with schools nationwide to provide high-quality educational and behavioral health services, and we give our clinicians the training, resources, and support to do their best work.

The Stepping Stones Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.