School Counselor, MS - Talent Pool

Summary

Provides a comprehensive school counseling program to support students' academic, career, and social-emotional development. Delivers services, collaborates with staff and families, and implements interventions to support student success. Supports IEP team processes and transition planning for students receiving special education services, in accordance with division standards and practices.

*Please note that this is a General Talent Pool posting. By applying, you are expressing interest in future opportunities across Fairfax County Public Schools. While our recruitment team will review your application for upcoming vacancies, we highly encourage you to regularly visit our Careers site and apply directly to school-specific openings as they are posted throughout the year.

Qualifications

Required
Master's degree in an accredited and approved school counselor preparation program. Completion of required supervised practicum and internship experiences. Must hold or be eligible for a license with a school counselor endorsement issued by the Virginia Department of Education.

Major Duties/Essential Functions

1. Designs and delivers engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction aligned with Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) standards, division goals, and the approved curriculum across grade levels and subject areas, including academic, elective, and specialized programs.
2. Prepares and implements lesson plans that use a range of instructional methods such as direct instruction, inquiry-based learning, collaboration, and project-based activities to engage students and promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
3. Adapts instruction and materials to address diverse learning needs, interests, and readiness levels, ensuring accessibility and challenge for students with disabilities, English learners, and those needing enrichment or intervention.
4. Uses formative and summative assessments to measure learning, monitor progress, and guide instructional decisions, incorporating specialized assessments such as language proficiency measures or progress monitoring for individualized education programs when required.
5. Selects and integrates instructional materials, technology, and resources that enrich student learning experiences while ensuring the safe use and maintenance of equipment, laboratories, and performance spaces when applicable.
6. Establishes and maintains clear classroom routines, expectations, and procedures that foster a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment while nurturing students' social-emotional growth and smooth transitions between activities or subjects.
7. Promotes cultural awareness, inclusion, and respect for diversity by affirming and valuing differences in language, culture, race, gender, and ability to ensure an equitable learning experience for all students.
8. Collaborates with colleagues, administrators, and support staff to design instruction, analyze student performance data, and coordinate academic and behavioral supports through interdisciplinary teams, advisory programs, and professional learning communities.
9. Maintains effective communication with students, families, and community members to support learning and well-being, providing reasonable availability beyond the instructional day when required.
10. Contributes to and implements Individualized Education Programs, Behavior Intervention Plans, and English learner supports in collaboration with service providers, instructional assistants, and other specialized staff to meet the needs of individual students.
11. Maintains accurate and complete records of student performance, attendance, and compliance documentation in accordance with federal, state, and local policies.
12. Evaluates the effectiveness of instructional practices, applies new learning, and engages in professional development and reflective practice to enhance competence, maintain certifications, and support continuous improvement.
13. Engages students in opportunities for career readiness, college preparation, and community involvement such as internships, performances, exhibitions, and extracurricular activities that extend and deepen learning beyond the classroom.
14. Performs related duties as assigned in support of school and division goals.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

This position operates in a professional school environment that includes classrooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, auditoriums, and outdoor learning or recreational areas. The work involves exposure to noise levels that range from low to moderate and requires frequent walking, standing, and movement throughout the school day, with occasional climbing, kneeling, or crouching. Periods of sitting are common when preparing lessons, grading, or completing administrative tasks. The position may require lifting or moving instructional materials, classroom supplies, or equipment up to 10 pounds and occasionally more than 25 pounds. Regular use of computers, interactive whiteboards, projectors, printers, and other instructional technologies is required. Clear verbal communication, active listening, and visual attention are essential for delivering instruction and monitoring student safety. The position involves daily interaction with students and regular collaboration with colleagues, administrators, and families, as well as occasional travel between school sites or participation in supervised field trips. Teachers must be able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced educational setting.