School Counselor

Position Type:
Student Support Services/Guidance Counselor

Date Posted:
7/27/2026

Location:
District
School Counselor

This position will be for the 2026/2027 School Year and will start on July 1, 2026. BOUT HOPE COMMUNITY ACADEMY

HOPE Community Academy is an accredited, public co-educational charter school comprising primary, intermediate, middle school, and high school levels. The entire school community seeks to provide a safe and trusting learning environment where each student is valued and challenged to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Mission:

To inspire students to achieve high academic success while embracing Hmong language and culture.

Vision:

To be a public school of excellence, with high quality staff, diverse programs, and successful students.

Culture Statement reflects who we are:

HOPE is a safe space where all feel valued, empowered, and inspired. Learning at HOPE promotes cultural appreciation, character, and lifelong growth. Our scholars leave ready to lead with purpose and contribute to their community.

HOPE's Values:

High-Impact; Scholar-Focused; Sense of Belonging; Leadership; and Joyful Excellence.

Our work for the next two years is illustrated in our 2026 2028 Strategic Plan focused on four priorities - Radical Growth, Stabilizing Operational Systems, Being Data-Centered, and Building Community Impact. All employees are expected to operate with high impact to continue improving the experiences of HOPE's community. SITION DETAILS

Position Title: School Counselor

Salary Range: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00

Reports To: Chief Academic Officer (CAO)


Status: Exempt, Full-Time | 40+ hours a week

Contract Type: 10 month +10 days contract

THIS ROLE

At HOPE, we know that a scholar cannot learn if they do not feel safe, seen, and supported. Academic achievement does not happen in isolation - it happens when a young person feels like they belong, when someone knows their name and their story, and when the adults around them understand that what is happening inside a scholar's heart and mind matters just as much as what is happening on the page. For HOPE to achieve the ambitious academic and community goals laid out in our 2026 2028 Strategic Plan, we must invest deeply in the social-emotional, developmental, and academic support structures that allow every scholar to show up ready to learn.

The School Counselor at HOPE is a critical member of the scholar support ecosystem - a trusted adult who serves as an advocate, a guide, and a bridge between the academic, social-emotional, and developmental needs of every scholar in the building. This role is grounded in the ASCA National Model and encompasses the three core domains of school counseling: academic development, social-emotional learning, and college and career readiness. The School Counselor does not work in a silo - they are deeply embedded in the fabric of the school, partnering with classroom teachers, Impact Coaches, SPED staff, families, and school leadership to ensure that every scholar has the support they need to thrive.

At HOPE, the School Counselor's work is uniquely shaped by the community we serve. Many of our scholars are first-generation Americans navigating the intersection of Hmong and Karen cultural identity with the American school system. Some carry the weight of intergenerational trauma, family obligation, language barriers, and economic hardship - all while being asked to show up every day and achieve at high levels. The School Counselor at HOPE must understand this context deeply, meet scholars and families where they are, and provide culturally responsive support that honors who our scholars are while helping them build the skills and confidence to lead their own futures.

This role sits at the intersection of HOPE's Scholar Impact, Community Impact, and Radical Growth strategic priorities. HOPE's strategic plan calls for 75% of scholars to respond positively on the "You Belong" survey by 2028, a 15% decrease in scholar suspensions, increased participation in extracurricular activities, and the development of grade-level scholar support groups and mental health programming. The School Counselor is on the front line of every one of those goals - building the conditions that make belonging, engagement, and academic success possible for every scholar at HOPE.

Comprehensive School Counseling Program.

Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program aligned to the ASCA National Model and HOPE's strategic priorities. Deliver services across all three domains of school counseling - academic development, social-emotional learning, and college and career readiness - through direct scholar services, responsive services, systems support, and program planning. Ensure the counseling program is proactive and preventative, not solely reactive, and reaches every scholar in the building.

Individual & Small Group Counseling.

Provide short-term, solution-focused individual and small group counseling to scholars experiencing academic, social-emotional, behavioral, or personal challenges. Develop and facilitate grade-level and topic-specific scholar support groups - including groups focused on grief, anxiety, self-regulation, peer relationships, identity, academic motivation, and transitions - aligned to HOPE's strategic goal of increasing mental, emotional, and social health programming. Refer scholars and families to outside therapeutic services or community-based organizations when needs exceed the scope of school-based counseling.

Classroom Guidance & Social-Emotional Learning.

Deliver classroom guidance lessons across grade levels on topics including conflict resolution, bullying prevention, healthy relationships, emotional regulation, decision-making, cultural identity, academic goal-setting, and college and career awareness. Partner with classroom teachers and Impact Coaches to integrate social-emotional learning into the daily school experience. Ensure all classroom guidance is developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and connected to HOPE's culture of learning.

Crisis Response & Intervention.

Serve as a first responder for scholars in crisis, providing immediate support, safety assessment, and intervention as needed. Coordinate crisis response protocols in collaboration with school administration, the Impact Coach team, and outside agencies. Develop and maintain crisis intervention plans and ensure all staff are trained on reporting procedures and protocols for threats, self-harm, abuse, and other critical situations. Maintain composure, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity in all crisis situations.

Academic Advising & Scholar Goal-Setting.

Support scholars in setting academic goals, understanding their progress, and developing the habits and mindsets needed for academic success. At the secondary level, assist scholars with course selection, credit tracking, graduation requirements, and academic planning. Partner with classroom teachers and the Instructional Coach to identify scholars who are struggling academically and connect them with intervention, tutoring, or additional support. Collaborate with the MTSS Coordinator to support the Student Assistance Team (SAT) process and Tier 1/Tier 2 academic and behavioral interventions.

College & Career Readiness.

Develop and deliver college and career readiness programming for secondary scholars, including college exploration, career interest assessments, post-secondary planning, financial aid awareness, and application support. Help scholars - particularly first-generation college-bound scholars - navigate the post-secondary landscape with confidence and a clear sense of their options. Partner with families to ensure they are informed and engaged partners in their scholar's post-secondary planning process.

Scholar Belonging & Engagement.

Actively contribute to HOPE's strategic goal of achieving 75% positive responses on the "You Belong" survey by 2028. Support the development and implementation of programs, structures, and practices that foster a deep sense of belonging for every scholar - including scholar support groups, peer mentoring, student council initiatives, and school-wide belonging campaigns. Partner with Impact Coaches to identify and support scholars who are disengaged, isolated, or at risk of disconnecting from the school community.

Behavioral Support & Suspension Reduction.

Support HOPE's strategic goal of decreasing scholar suspensions by 15% by 2028. Partner with the MTSS Coordinator, Impact Coaches, and classroom teachers to develop and implement restorative alternatives to exclusionary discipline. Provide counseling support to scholars with behavioral challenges, helping them develop self-regulation, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills. Participate in the development of Behavior Intervention Plans and contribute to the school-wide PBIS and MTSS framework.

Family Engagement & Partnership.

Build strong, trusting relationships with the families of scholars, serving as an accessible and culturally responsive resource for parents navigating their scholar's academic, social-emotional, and developmental needs. Communicate with families about counseling services, scholar progress, and community resources in accessible formats and languages. Partner with HOPE's Parent Engagement team to support family programming, parent education events, and the Parent Advisory Council. Understand that for many Hmong and Karen families, the concept of school-based counseling may be unfamiliar or culturally sensitive - and approach family engagement with patience, humility, and genuine care.

Community Partnerships & Wraparound Services.

Connect scholars and families with community-based organizations (CBOs) and wraparound services - including mental health providers, housing support, employment resources, health and wellness services, and advocacy organizations. Support HOPE's strategic goal of becoming a Full-Service Community School by actively building and maintaining partnerships that bring essential services directly to HOPE's scholars and families. Collaborate with the Program Specialist and Chief Impact Officer to coordinate referrals and ensure families receive timely, culturally appropriate support.

Data-Driven Practice & Program Evaluation.

Use data to inform counseling priorities, measure program effectiveness, and demonstrate impact. Track scholar outcomes related to attendance, behavior, academic performance, belonging survey results, and participation in counseling services. Present data and program updates to school leadership and contribute to school improvement planning. Align counseling program goals with HOPE's Data-Centered strategic priority and school-wide accountability systems.

504 Plan Coordination.

Serve as the school's coordinator for Section 504 plans, managing the identification, evaluation, and accommodation process for scholars with qualifying disabilities. Facilitate 504 meetings with families, teachers, and administrators. Ensure all 504 plans are current, compliant, and implemented with fidelity. Collaborate with the SPED Coordinator to ensure clear boundaries and coordination between 504 and IEP processes.

Collaboration & MTSS Participation.

Serve as an active member of HOPE's MTSS and Student Assistance Team, contributing counseling expertise to the identification, intervention, and progress monitoring process for scholars who need Tier 2 and Tier 3 support. Collaborate with the MTSS Coordinator, Impact Coaches, Interventionists, SPED staff, and classroom teachers to ensure a coordinated, team-based approach to scholar support. Participate in IEP meetings as needed to provide input on scholar social-emotional functioning and support needs.

Professional Responsibilities & School Community Involvement.

Fulfill all professional responsibilities including accurate case documentation, timely reporting, and adherence to ethical standards set forth by ASCA and the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Maintain strict confidentiality in all counseling interactions. Participate in professional development, school-wide events, and staff meetings. Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and caring school culture where every scholar and staff member feels they belong. Each staff member will participate in at least three or more school events throughout the school year.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's degree in School Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or a related field required.
• Valid Minnesota K 12 School Counselor license required, or eligibility to obtain licensure prior to start date.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience as a school counselor or in a school-based counseling role preferred; practicum and internship experience will be considered for exceptional candidates.
• Strong knowledge of the ASCA National Model and the ability to design and deliver a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program across all three domains.
• Experience providing individual and small group counseling to children and adolescents on topics including anxiety, grief, self-regulation, identity, peer relationships, and academic motivation.
• Experience with crisis intervention, safety assessment, and knowledge of mandatory reporting laws and procedures in Minnesota.
• Knowledge of college and career readiness programming, post-secondary planning, and financial aid processes; experience supporting first-generation college-bound scholars preferred.
• Familiarity with MTSS frameworks, PBIS, restorative practices, and the role of the school counselor within a multi-tiered support system.
• Experience coordinating or managing Section 504 plans, including identification, evaluation, accommodation, and compliance.
• Strong data literacy skills; ability to collect, analyze, and use data to inform counseling priorities and demonstrate program impact.
• Deep cultural humility and responsiveness; understanding of the Hmong and Karen diaspora experience and the unique social-emotional, academic, and developmental needs of HOPE's scholar community.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with scholars, families, and staff - particularly families who may be unfamiliar with or hesitant about school-based counseling services.
• Experience working with or in Hmong and/or other diverse communities is strongly preferred; proficiency in Hmong is a significant asset.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills; ability to navigate sensitive conversations with professionalism, empathy, and care.
• Deep commitment to educational equity, culturally responsive practice, and HOPE's mission and strategic priorities.
• Ability to interact effectively with scholars, families, and staff of diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Duties are performed across the school building, including a dedicated counseling office, classrooms, meeting spaces, and common areas. The school building is a multi-level building that has an elevator and is accessible. This role requires consistent daily presence and visibility in the school building - the School Counselor is not behind a desk, but actively present in hallways, classrooms, and wherever scholars need support. The role involves regular exposure to emotionally sensitive situations, crisis scenarios, and confidential information, and requires a high degree of emotional stamina, professional discretion, and personal resilience. Some evening hours may be required for family engagement events, college and career nights, parent conferences, and school-wide activities. The School Counselor at HOPE carries the privilege and responsibility of being one of the most trusted adults in the building - and that trust is earned through presence, consistency, and genuine care, every single day.