High School Guidance Counselor

Position Type:
Student Support Services/Guidance Counselor

Date Posted:
8/10/2026

Location:
Detroit Leadership Academy High School

Date Available:
08/17/2026

District:
Detroit Leadership Academy


JOB TITLE: High School Guidance Counselor
DEPARTMENT: Counseling
REPORTS TO: Principal
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

SALARY: Starting at $55,000

Who are we?
CEN is a mission- and values-driven organization committed to being Child Centered, Caring, Transformative, Accountable, and Anti-Racist.

The mission of CEN is to build a system of remarkable neighborhood schools in traditionally under-resourced communities using a trauma-informed, whole child approach to education - ensuring college, career, and life success for all children.

At CEN, we believe that creating and sustaining excellent and equitable schools for all children is the most critical issue today and that high-quality education is the only way to change the life trajectory and outcomes for kids. We believe that, regardless of their zip code, our kids deserve remarkable schools.

CEN team members are steadfast in our vision to dismantle systemic educational inequities. We are committed to culturally responsive education, including systems that promote anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.


Why Join CEN?
At CEN, we provide a wealth of professional learning, as well as opportunities for professional growth and advancement. We are committed to the health and wellness of our employees. Moreover, CEN offers one of the most comprehensive compensation and benefits packages in the city of Detroit. CEN employees earn competitive salaries and a robust benefits package, including:

• United Healthcare PPO including vision and dental with employer covering 80%
• 401K with match options
• Free Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Free Basic Life Insurance + Basic AD&D
• Supplemental insurance plans available
• Wellness benefits, including up to $250 annual reimbursement
• Free State Continuing Education Clock Hours
• Paid time off, varying by role
• Annual Retention Bonus that grows year over year
• Free membership in employee discount program.

Who are we looking for?
We are seeking tenacious staff members who operate with empathy and will settle for nothing less than academic and life success for all students. Professionals with a passion for urban education and the city of Detroit align best with our needs and goals. Our top performers are focused on building positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues, and are driven by data and student outcomes.

What are the major job responsibilities?
The counselor works with students and provides group educational and vocational guidance services, as well as administers and interprets career assessment tools. (S)he also assists students in developing educational and occupational goals and plans. A successful employee is a consummate professional, upholding the mission, goals and objectives of the organization.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Counsel students to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral obstacles affecting their lives and/or educational or vocational situations.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, policies, and administrative regulations.
• Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
• Evaluate students' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics using tests, records, interviews and/or professional resources.
• Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
• Coordinate college visits, education fairs, parent information events, and collaborate with teachers about SAT prep initiatives.
• Assist students, along with their parents/guardians with the college admission process and applying for scholarships and federal aid (FAFSA).
• Complete all necessary paperwork as required by law and school policy including certifying and auditing transcripts.
• Work closely with the Community and Family Outreach Coordinator to develop strong relationships with local colleges and potential employers to generate a wide variety of potential college or career opportunities for graduating students.
• Coach teachers in grade level meetings to diagnose student concerns based on data and create subsequent action plans to ensure the student's academic and social/emotional success.
• Help lead staff to create a pervasive "college-going" culture in all aspects of the school environment.
• Ensure care of provided instructional materials, curricula, technology, and classroom furniture
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• Endorsement in High School Counseling
• Two to four years of related experience
• Experience with working in diverse, low-income communities; sensitivity to and awareness of the needs of culturally diverse urban adolescents and families
• Outstanding organizational skills and strong attention to detail; excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to manage priorities and workflow
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm
• Ability to audit high school transcripts to ensure students are scheduled in correct courses
• Commitment to the belief that all students can learn and succeed
• Experience and demonstrated success in designing and executing interventions for struggling students
• Experience and success in supporting families
• Possess the desire and willingness to develop own skill set
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain constructive group relationships
• Will successfully pass a criminal background check
• We ask our team to believe in, deliver on, and embody the following values: Be Child-Centered, Be Caring, Be Transformative, Be Accountable, and Be Anti-Racist

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

CEN does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.