Upper School Guidance Counselor - 2026-27

Prestonwood Christian Academy; Plano (TX); Sur place; USD 55 000 - 75 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, TX seeks a full-time Guidance Counselor to support grades 9-12, assisting students with academic planning, college admissions, and personal growth. You will counsel students and collaborate with Admissions, Upper School staff, and families, developing a four-year plan, coordinating college visits, and guiding preparation for financial aid and scholarships.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred), strong communication,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; a master's preferred for this role.
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communication with students and families.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Experience or training in counseling or guidance is desirable.
• Commitment to Christian faith and PCA doctrinal beliefs.

Responsabilités

• Assists Director in planning and implementing departmental services.
• Counsel students individually in academic, social, spiritual and emotional wellness.
• Counsel parents/guardians as a partnership in student growth.
• Develop a 4-year academic plan for grades 9-12 and incoming students.
• Review student files and collaborate with Admissions on onboarding.
• Guide students in college searches and identify best-fit post-secondary options.
• Write recommendations for colleges, scholarships, and programs as needed.
• Coordinate use of Scoir and YouScience tools for college/career planning.
• Serve as resource for career exploration and internship opportunities.
• Support and participate in College updates and campus events.

Connaissances

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Confidentiality

Faith-based guidance

Team collaboration

Independent work

Counseling skills

Formation

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree preferred

Description du poste

Job Details: Job Location: Plano Campus - PLANO, TX 75093, Position Type: Full Time, Job Category: Education, Mission: To assist Christian parents by helping equip students to embrace biblical truth, strive for academic excellence, and model Christ-like leadership to influence their homes, churches and communities for Christ.

Employee Profile

• Acceptance without reservation of the PCA doctrinal beliefs
• A strong clear Christian testimony
• A mature, godly spirit
• A person of faith and prayer

Personally

• A lifestyle of biblical integrity
• A spirit of dedication, commitment, flexibility, and responsiveness
• The ability to listen and respond to counsel
• The stewardship of God given gifts
• A strong commitment to team
• The ability to work independently with limited direct supervision

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists Director in the implementation and planning of all departmental services and programs
• Counsel students individually in support of academic, social, spiritual and emotional wellness
• Counsel parents/guardians as a partnership in the academic, social, emotional and spiritual growth of their student
• Provide academic advising, including the development of a 4-year academic plan for students in grades 9-12 and incoming students
• Review incoming student files and work with admissions throughout the on-boarding process
• Guide students in searching for and identifying best fit colleges and post-secondary experiences, including gap year and vocational options
• Help students successfully complete applications for colleges, financial aid and scholarships. Review with family scholarship/financial aid offers as needed
• Write recommendations on behalf of students for colleges, technical schools, scholarships, special awards, summer enrichment programs, military service or academies, gap year experiences or missions and other post‑secondary pursuits
• Coordinate student use of Scoir and YouScience college and career tools
• Serve as a resource person for the career and gifts exploration
• Test Coordinator for AP, PSAT, PreACT, as assigned.
• Assist in the development and presentation of corporate meetings with parents, students and faculty in partnership with the Director on a semester and annual basis
• Support the goals and implementation of the Life Calling curriculum including presenting in the class
• Coordinate Upperclassmen (grades 11 and 12) Internship program
• Assist Department Administrator with overseeing minimester opportunities coordinated by the Upper School Guidance Office
• Coordinate individual student counseling needs and strategies in partnership with the Upper School Counselor
• Assist with Middle to Upper School transitional and new student orientation programming
• Keep the Upper School Counselor informed of students when interactions with them cause concern as to emotional and mental wellness
• Serve on individualized education program (IEP) or success teams when deemed appropriate
• Develop intentional partnerships with faculty as co‑laborers in the growth of students
• Support the goals of institutional colleagues, including admissions and curriculum in particular
• Maintain relevant professional and technical expertise by attending workshops/events, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional organizations (NACCAP, ACSI, TACAC, etc)
• Stay abreast of changes/updates in the college admissions process
• Attend College updates in DFW area
• Visit college campuses/counselor fly‑ins (travel is nominal)
• Serve as primary liaison with college representatives. Both recruit college representatives to campus and serve as their on‑site host
• Guidance website oversight; maintain updated information in myPCA Guidance resources
• Maintain a communication system with students using social media
• Assist Director with other duties as assigned in support of the Guidance Team, Upper School Administration and PCA Leadership
• Participate and present in Award presentations and graduation ceremony

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree required; Masters Degree preferred
• A minimum of 2-4 years of direct or related experience preferred
• Demonstrated strong communication skills both written and oral in communications with students, parents, faculty, staff, and college admission and other guidance professionals
• Strong organizational skills, details orientation, and self‑initiative
• Ability to multi‑task and respond to immediate needs of students as top priority
• Patience in working with a variety of people to service a variety of needs
• An orientation of strict confidentiality
• Ability to nurture and guide students in their faith journey
• Prestonwood Baptist Church member preferred

Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements

• Regularly standing and walking around the classroom lecturing and monitoring students
• Regularly sitting at the computer requiring repetitive finger motion and manual dexterity
• Close visual acuity required for viewing a computer monitor, preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and reading
• Hearing ability to perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction
• Talking expressing ideas by means of the spoken word to convey instructions to students, parents and other workers
• Ability to communicate effectively, even in stressful situations
• Primarily inside, classroom environment
• Occasional lifting of 5 to 20 pounds
• Subject to frequent interruptions and frequent deadlines