Counselor at Northwest Georgia Charter Academy

The Counselor leads and delivers a comprehensive counseling program that supports all students in the academic, social-emotional, and college/career domains. The Counselor advocates for equitable access and success for all students by collaborating with teachers, families, and community partners to address barriers to learning, promote positive mental health, and enhance school climate. The Counselor’s work aligns with the Georgia Standards for School Counseling, the ASCA National Model, and the school’s mission and charter commitments.

ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Development and Student Support Develop and implement a data-driven counseling program that supports students’ academic achievement and growth. Provide individual and small-group counseling to address academic challenges such as motivation, organization, and study skills. Collaborate with teachers to identify at-risk students and develop intervention strategies that improve attendance, engagement, and performance. Support the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process through progress monitoring, documentation, and team collaboration. Participate in student data meetings and contribute to decisions about academic interventions and enrichment opportunities. Assist with student scheduling, transition support, and academic planning for grade promotion or postsecondary readiness. Social-Emotional and Behavioral Development Provide counseling, guidance lessons, and restorative interventions that promote emotional regulation, resilience, and conflict resolution. Lead small-group sessions to address social skills, self-esteem, grief, or peer relationships. Support the development and implementation of behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and positive behavior supports. Partner with teachers and administrators to build classroom management and social-emotional learning (SEL) integration. Coordinate crisis intervention, risk assessment, and short-term counseling for students experiencing emotional or behavioral distress. Refer students and families to external mental health and social service providers when necessary. Monitor behavior data and trends to guide proactive schoolwide support strategies. College, Career, and Life Readiness Deliver lessons and workshops that support college and career awareness, goal setting, and personal responsibility. Provide resources for middle and high school students related to academic planning, career exploration, and secondary transition. Collaborate with families and teachers to support student readiness for high school pathways or postsecondary opportunities. Assist students with academic and career interest inventories and maintain updated career resources. Coordinate or support field trips, guest speakers, and career events to broaden exposure to future options. Family and Community Engagement Serve as a liaison between school, home, and community agencies to strengthen student support networks. Facilitate parent conferences related to academic progress, behavior, or emotional well-being. Develop and share resources with families on topics such as stress management, academic success, and adolescent development. Promote parent and family engagement through workshops, newsletters, and school events. Build partnerships with community organizations that provide enrichment, counseling, or wellness supports. Crisis Response, Safety, and Compliance Participate in the school’s crisis management and emergency response planning. Provide immediate support and follow-up after crises, collaborating with leadership and external agencies as needed. Maintain student confidentiality and adhere to ethical and legal standards set by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and ASCA. Ensure compliance with mandated reporting laws related to child welfare and student safety. Maintain accurate, confidential documentation of counseling services, referrals, and follow-up actions. Collaboration, Leadership, and Data Management Participate as an active member of the school’s leadership and student support teams. Use data to evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs and make recommendations for improvement. Support teachers with classroom strategies and social-emotional learning integration. Collaborate with the Data Clerk and School Leader on student information management related to attendance, discipline, and academic records. Contribute to school improvement initiatives, equity planning, and charter performance reporting related to climate and student well-being. Perform additional duties as may be assigned or required by the Superintendent/Principal, Governing Board, or applicable federal or state requirements.

PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Certain professional and personal characteristics are essential for success. The Counselor must: Demonstrate empathy, confidentiality, and professionalism in all interactions. Exhibit strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Maintain composure, flexibility, and sound judgment in challenging situations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Credentials Master’s degree in School Counseling or related field. Valid Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) certification in School Counseling. Experience working with K–12 students in academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support settings. Preferred Credentials Prior experience in a charter or public school setting. Training in trauma-informed care, restorative practices, or crisis response. Experience supporting MTSS, SEL, or college/career readiness programs.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Maintain confidentiality of student and staff information. Pass required background check and fingerprint clearance. Participate in required professional development and continuing education as well as school trainings to include the EL model of the school.

WORKING CONDITIONS & DEMANDS OF THE JOB

Mental and Physical Ongoing Demands Maintain emotional control under stress; work with frequent interruptions/deadlines and prolonged or irregular hours; Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing. Mental and Physical Occasional Demands Lifting and carrying 10-25 pounds frequently, 25-40 pounds occasionally; may be required under specific circumstances to provide physical restraint of students in danger of causing harm to themselves or others; travel to other locations as needed for training, supervision, or school events. Environmental Ongoing Factors Frequent exposure to temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise. Environmental Occasional Factors Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.)

WORK SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION

40+ hours per week, full-time/part-time as contracted #J-18808-Ljbffr International Charter Academy Of Georgia