School Guidance Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Guidance Counselor

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Vice Principal

Salary : $55,368.83-$57,698.60

Classification: Full-Time, 11-month contract

Minimum Qualifications:

• Arizona Guidance Counselor Certification.
• Master's degree in guidance and counseling, social work, or a related field.
• First Aid/CPR Certified.
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License.
• Ability to successfully pass a pre-employment drug test and extensive background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three years of teaching experience at the K–8 level.
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential.
• Experience working with children and families in a school or community-based setting.

Position Summary:

The Guidance Counselor supports the academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and personal development of students. The counselor provides individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, prevention education, behavioral support, and student advocacy. The position works collaboratively with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community partners to promote student success and maintain a safe, supportive school environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Knowledge of school counseling practices, student development, and behavioral interventions.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and prevention strategies.
• Ability to assess student needs using appropriate records, assessments, interviews, and other information.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records.
• Ability to work effectively with students, families, staff, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain appropriate boundaries, and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Proficiency with standard office equipment and relevant computer applications.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and group counseling to support students’ academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and personal development.
• Identify and respond to student needs, including crisis situations, and coordinate appropriate interventions and referrals.
• Collaborate with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community partners to support student success.
• Develop and implement Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) as appropriate.
• Provide prevention and educational programs addressing topics such as mental health, suicide prevention, and substance abuse.
• Maintain accurate, confidential counseling records and documentation in accordance with school policies and applicable requirements.
• Use student data, assessments, and other information to evaluate needs and inform interventions.
• Participate in professional development, staff meetings, school activities, and program evaluations.
• Participate in the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process by identifying student needs, contributing to intervention planning, monitoring student progress, and collaborating with staff and families to adjust supports as needed.
• Maintain professional knowledge of current counseling practices and research.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Probationary Period:  Newly appointed employees will be subject to an initial 90-calendar-day probationary period.

Physical Demands: The employee is regularly required to communicate verbally and hear. The position frequently requires sitting, standing, walking, operating a computer, and occasional reaching. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment: The position operates primarily in a professional school environment and routinely uses computers, telephones, and standard office equipment. The noise level is generally quiet to moderate.