Executive Director of Counseling, College and Career Readiness

Position Type:
Executive

Date Posted:
5/1/2026

Location:
OKCPS Central Office
Executive Director of Counseling, College and Career Readiness

Position Summary:
Team OKCPS is grounded in shared values and an unwavering commitment to student success, and systemic improvement. The Director of Student Mental Health, Counseling, and College/Career Readiness is a visionary leader who promotes a district-wide culture of wellness, academic achievement, and post-secondary success. This role acknowledges systemic inequities and takes a forward-focused, collaborative approach to ensure all students receive the support they need to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.


Essential Duties:

Great Teaching & Learning (Instructional Infrastructure):

• Develop and lead professional development aligned with evidence-based practices in mental health, school counseling, and college/career readiness.
• Support school counselors and social workers in utilizing data to drive student support strategies for academic, emotional, and career development.
• Coordinate and deliver ICAP (Individual Career Academic Plan) implementation and training across middle and high schools.
• Design systems to support and track student progress toward graduation and post-secondary success, including students meeting FAFSA and Personal Financial Literacy requirements.

Great People (Talent Management):

• Hire, mentor, and supervisor, social workers, and administrative support staff within mental health and counseling services.
• Mentor and support school counselors through monthly meetings designed to ensure the successful implementation of a school counseling program that aligns with current American School counselor Association standards.
• Organizes and facilitates professional development workshops for district staff on various topics including:
  • Identifying and supporting at-risk students, students who have experienced trauma, suicide prevention and/or other needs outlined in the district mental health plan and as defined by student/district needs.
  • Standardized college/career guidance plans for district middle and high schools.
• Monitors state and national issues and trends related to mental health, academic, career, and social domains and provide professional development to educate staff
• Provide individual training and support for newly located or hired counselors to insure consistent processes
• Foster professional growth through training in trauma-informed practices, suicide prevention, at-risk student support, and college/career pathways.
• Facilitate monthly collaboration meetings with site counselors to promote consistency and continuous improvement.
• Developing a cohesive support team to address the unique needs of each campus related to student mental health, school counseling, and college and career readiness.
• Assist in providing updates to buildings regarding legislation related to graduation requirements or changes to OK Promise

Great Culture (Systems Leaders):

• Promote inclusive and transparent systems to support the holistic development of all students.
• Serve as a liaison among internal and external stakeholders including families, schools, community agencies, and state education entities.
• Represent OKCPS in local, state, and national forums to remain current in the fields of mental health, counseling, and career readiness.
• Maintain high levels of communication with site leaders to ensure alignment with district goals and emerging needs.
• Promote the overall effectiveness of the organization by performing tasks and sharing responsibilities of other members of the Department during peak periods or when there is an overload of duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

Great Systems (Support & Accountability):

• Facilitate training and successful utilization of the district's Student Information System for scheduling and course enrollments.
• Manage mental health service delivery and ensure adherence to the district-wide Mental Health Plan.
• Develop and maintain a guidance/counseling website/portal that contains update information related to the program serving both students and guidance counselors
• Develop and oversee the district's Career and Technical Education program to effectively promote college and career readiness initiatives, including concurrent enrollment and access to scholarships (e.g., OKC Go, OK Promise).
• Coordinate and evaluate partnerships with community mental health agencies, higher education, and career technology institutions (e.g., Metro Tech).
• Lead development of guidance plans, policy recommendations, and digital resources such as a counseling and career readiness portal.
• Prepare annual budgets and staffing needs for the district's Career-Technology, Counseling programs and concurrent enrollment programs
• Manage the procurement of supplies, equipment, services, professional development, instructional excursions and repair/maintenance for; approve and monitor all expenditures
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities):

• Master's Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or Career Technology Education (or related field).
• Current Oklahoma Certification in School Counseling
• Five (5) or more years of professional experience in school counseling, mental health, or career-readiness.
• Three (3) or more years in a leadership or administrative role in school couseling, mental health, or career-readiness program.
• Demonstrated expertise in systems thinking, data-driven decision making, and equity-centered leadership.
• Demonstrated experience with college and career readiness programming , including advising, curriculum planning, and pathway development
• Strong knowledge of college admissions, career pathways, CTE programs, and dual enrollment opportunities
• Familiarity with state and federal education laws, particularly those related to guidance and counseling
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Ability to manage budgets, staff development, and program evaluation
• Proficiency with data systems used for student tracking and college/career planning

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities):

• Deep understanding of Oklahoma education policy, graduation requirements, and post-secondary success metrics.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects.
• Familiarity with mental health compliance, student information systems, and career technology program planning.
  Capacity to lead in high-stress environments and work outside traditional hours when needed.

Physical/Mental Requirements:

• Office duties will be performed in a well-lighted, climate-controlled environment.
• Will require time in office, as well as external meeting locations with community partners or schools throughout the OKC metro area.
• Participation in meetings and activities outside of normal business hours, including weekends and holidays, may be required.
• May be required to work overtime and weekends and holidays.
• Able to bend and stoop, lift 25 lbs, stand and/or sit for extended periods of time.

Reports To: Senior Executive Director of Secondary Schools
FSLA Status: Exempt
Compensation: Schedule 902
Work Days: 242
FTE: 8 hours per day

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the supervisor or appropriate administrator. Oklahoma City Public Schools reserves the right to, update, revise or change job duties as the need prevails. This document is for communication only and not intended to imply a written or implied contract of employment. The Board of Education and Superintendent may approve alternatives to the listed qualifications.