Manager of Counseling - Lowcountry Connections Academy

Manager of Counseling - Lowcountry Connections Academy

Lowcountry Connections Academy (LCCA) is a tuition-free, full-time virtual school serving students in grades K-12 throughout South Carolina. LCCA is authorized under state law by the Charter Institute of Erskine and operated by Lowcountry Connections Academy, a nonprofit corporation, through a contract with Connections Academy LLC. Connections Academy, a division of Connections Education, is accredited by Cognia, and LCCA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Working from your home office in South Carolina, the Manager of Counseling Services will work in conjunction with the school's leadership team to help students, ensuring that each child successfully completes his/her instructional program. The Manager of Counseling Services will provide direction to staff and assist students and parents in understanding and meeting graduation requirements, course selection and scheduling, post-secondary school planning, and crisis intervention. The Manager of Counseling Services will support the entire educational program of the school grades K-12 as well as provide oversight of their sister alternative school, South Carolina Bridge Connections Academy (SCBCA).

Strategic Leadership and Program Management

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for a comprehensive school counseling program, ensuring professionalism, instructional quality, and exemplary service for all stakeholders.
• Design and implement robust systems and processes to streamline returning student course selection and referral of at-risk students to the SCBCA alternative school.
• Develop and deliver professional development, implement program enhancements and technology, and provide leadership in special programs such as college readiness, AP, Dual Enrollment, ASVAB, and SAT/ACT preparation.
• Support school growth by participating in recruitment, marketing, and public relations, and performing additional duties to advance the school's mission and student success.

Student Support and Academic Guidance

• Lead the development and execution of targeted career readiness initiatives, ensuring students are equipped with the skills, resources, and guidance necessary to thrive in their post-secondary pathways.
• Promote academic achievement and career readiness by guiding course selections, monitoring student progress, facilitating personalized learning plans (IGPs), and advising on graduation requirements.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive school culture through crisis prevention and management, counseling interventions, and targeted support for students and families at risk.
• Ensure policies and procedures are in place to handle sensitive circumstances.
• Influence the selection of curricular offerings to ensure students meet graduation requirements and engage in pathways for career readiness.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Build strong partnerships among staff, students, families, and the community by cultivating open communication, empowering parent coordinators, and leading outreach and engagement initiatives.

Compliance and Operations

• Oversee accurate maintenance of student records, transcript reviews, enrollment logistics, and high school testing, ensuring compliance with state standards and ethical practices.
• Help develop the high school master schedule.

Staff Supervision and Development

• Provide effective people management by supervising counseling staff, setting clear performance expectations, and promoting staff accountability through regular feedback and evaluation.

Requirements

• 5+ years of previous counseling experience at an accredited public or private school; previous leadership roles preferred
• South Carolina School Counseling Credential required (or ability to reciprocate out of state credential)
• Master's degree in counseling, Educational Leadership or related fields
• This is a 12-month position
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office and Google Suite products)
• PowerSchool and/or Edmentum experience preferred
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Customer focused approach
• High degree of flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast paced environment
• Periodic travel is required
• Team player track record
• 2-step authentication is required to set-up to login to all systems if offered position
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device for two-step authentication and communication

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.