Counselor ( .5 FTE Counselor & .5 FTE Graduation Support Specialist)

School Counselor

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District's team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

In pursuit of this mission, we are hiring new counselors. A school counselor provides comprehensive academic, career, and social-emotional support to students. This role involves individual and group counseling, academic planning, college and career readiness programming, and collaboration with school staff and community partners. The counselor promotes student success by helping students set goals, manage challenges, and prepare for life after graduation.

Qualifications - Education & Certification

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with NT (School Counselor) endorsement or Michigan School Guidance Counselor License.

Qualifications - Experience

• Successful teaching experience at the secondary level.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with parents, students, administrators, and staff.

Qualifications - Skills & Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of youth development and instructional support practices.
• Familiarity with academic planning tools, Educational Development Plans, and transcript audits.
• Understanding of college admissions, financial aid, career readiness, and job preparedness skills.
• Proficient in personal and group counseling techniques to support social-emotional growth.
• Ability to organize and implement school-wide programs and testing (e.g., M-STEP, PSAT, SAT, NWEA).
• Skilled in maintaining accurate records, reporting data, and using counseling software systems.
• Effective oral and written communication skills; strong organizational and public presentation abilities.

Sample Job Responsibilities

• Support students in developing academic goals and course schedules that align with graduation and postsecondary goals.
• Monitor academic progress and collaborate with staff to implement personalized learning plans.
• Guide students through the college and career exploration process, including applications, scholarships, and job readiness.
• Provide individual and group counseling addressing personal, social, and emotional needs.
• Lead programs and workshops on conflict resolution, self-esteem, substance abuse prevention, and more.
• Assist with testing coordination, student scheduling, orientation programming, and wellness initiatives.
• Maintain confidential student records and document counseling services and outcomes.
• Coordinate with community partners and agencies to support students and families.
• Participate in school-wide planning and professional development to stay informed on best practices in counseling.

Physical Demands

• Work Environment & Physical Requirements
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
• Must be able to move throughout the building and campus, including classrooms, hallways, and outdoor spaces.
• Frequent verbal communication is required to instruct students, lead meetings, and collaborate with staff and families.
• May be required to stand or walk for extended periods, including during supervisory duties.
• Occasional bending, reaching, or sitting on the floor to interact with students.
• Regular use of computers and instructional technology for planning, instruction, and communication.
• Must be able to lift or carry instructional materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

$46,942 - $95,000 a year We honor years of experience in equivalent roles, and we honor additional degrees beyond a BA/BS. This position is.5 FTE Counselor & .5 FTE Graduation Support Specialist

At the Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.

We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.

Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.

External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.

Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.

Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).