School Counselor

Position Type:
Pupil Personnel Services/Guidance Counselor

Date Posted:
3/27/2026

Location:
NORTH ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL STUDENT SERVICES

Date Available:
26-27 School Year

Closing Date:
06/10/2026


REPORTS TO :Director of School Counseling


Associate Principal for Curriculum

Assistant Principals

POSITION OBJECTIVE: The School Counselor is the primary staff member responsible for the holistic development of a designated cohort throughout their high school tenure. The counselor provides comprehensive academic, college/career, and social-emotional counseling services aligned with District 219 policies, curriculum, and professional standards, including the ASCA National Model and Illinois PaCE Framework. The counselor supports students by delivering data-informed counseling, fostering an inclusive school environment, and collaborating with staff, families, and community partners. The counselor promotes student growth, well-being, independence, and engagement while upholding district expectations for equity, professionalism, and student-centered support for every student within their caseload.

Licensed employees are expected to perform the duties and responsibilities outlined in District 219 Board policies and the Board/Union contract. The performance standards listed below represent the essential functions of the job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
2. Master's Degree in School Counseling
3. Experience working successfully in a diverse, multicultural environment preferred

REQUIRED SKILLS :

• Ability to provide academic, social-emotional, and college/career counseling aligned to student needs.
• Knowledge of counseling practices, assessment tools, and the ASCA National Model.
• Knowledge of academic advising, college/career planning, and postsecondary readiness
• Ability to interpret and use data to guide counseling interventions and programming.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive, supportive relationships with students.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with administrators, teachers, student services staff, and families.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to respond effectively to crises and urgent student needs.
• Commitment to ongoing professional learning and reflective practice.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Four-Year Academic Planning & Advisement (ASCA: Academic Development):

• Develop and monitor individualized academic plans for each student within the high school cohort, ensuring progress towards graduation and alignment with post-secondary goals and pathways (e.g., academic, college, and career).
• Provide ongoing guidance on and directly manage course selection to maximize student access to desired pathways and specialized programs.
• Communicate with external or alternate placements to ensure academic continuity for students.
• Monitor academic progress, identify students in need of intervention and credit recovery, and collaborate with parents and appropriate school staff to implement support strategies.
• Deliver classroom lessons on topics relevant to developing academic plans

Comprehensive Post-Secondary & Career Guidance (PaCE Framework & ASCA: Career Development):

• Guide students through the entire post-secondary exploration and application process (college, career, military), leveraging the expertise and resources provided by the College and Career Counselors.
• Facilitate age-appropriate career exploration activities, interest inventories, and exposure to various career pathways in collaboration with the College and Career Counselors, including but not limited to: college fairs, career workshops, alumni networking events, and student orientation programs
• Assist students with college applications, identifying and accessing resources to prepare for college admission exams (eg: SAT, ACT), understanding the FAFSA requirements and how to access resources to complete the process, scholarship searches, in collaboration with the College Counselor.
• Assist students with personal statements, resumes, cover letters, and interview skills for various post-secondary pursuits in collaboration with the Career Counselor.
• Deliver classroom lessons on topics relevant to post-secondary and career planning.

Social-Emotional Development & Responsive Services (ASCA: Social-Emotional Development & Responsive Services):

• Provide short-term, solution focused individual and small group counseling to address social-emotional concerns (e.g., relationships, stress, anxiety, mental health awareness, grief, conflict resolution) for the students on their caseload.
• Serve as a core member on the student support team to identify, monitor, and implement multi-tiered interventions.
• Monitor and communicate Section 504 plans for students on their caseload to ensure implementation and equitable access.
• Deliver classroom lessons on topics relevant to their developmental stage and social-emotional well-being.
• Assess students in potential crisis or in need of immediate support and direct them to the appropriate student services team.
• Conduct initial assessments of student needs and implement short-term interventions.
• In collaboration with psychologists and social workers, make appropriate referrals to internal and external mental health professionals, community resources, or other support services when long-term or specialized care is needed and support follow-up with families and providers
• Collaborate with parents, teachers, administration, and other school staff to identify and support at-risk students on their caseload.

Individual Planning & Goal Setting (ASCA: Appraisal & Advisement):

• Conduct annual comprehensive individual planning meetings with each student to review progress, set goals, and refine post-secondary plans.
• Utilize and maintain individual learning plans (ILPs) or similar four-year planning documents for each student.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Build strong, consistent relationships with students, parents, teachers, administration, and other school staff.
• Collaborate closely with the College Counselor and Career Counselor to ensure seamless and comprehensive support for the students on their caseload.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records.

Professionalism

• Establish and pursue goals to improve professional competence.
• Collaborate with colleagues on curriculum development, counseling programming, and student support initiatives.
• Maintain knowledge of current trends and best practices through professional activities such as coursework, conferences, and relevant literature.
• Adhere to the Board of Education and building policies and procedures.
• Identify school or curriculum concerns and suggest appropriate solutions.
• Use appropriate channels to resolve concerns and problems.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT :182 day working calendar

WORKING CONDITIONS : Work is performed in a typical school environment. Duties may require standing, walking, lifting instructional materials, and supporting students as needed.

SALARY RANGE : Salary is based on years of experience and educational background in accordance with the District's salary schedule.

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The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Niles Township High Schools District 219 is an equal-opportunity employer . It is the policy and practice of District 219 to decide all matters relating to employment solely on the basis of the applicant's ability to perform the essential functions of the position. District 219 ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, color, national origin, religion, age, or handicap.

Attachment(s):

• School Counselor.pdf
• Teacher Fringe Benefits.pdf
• Teacher Salary Schedule.pdf