What are the responsibilities and job description for the SY 2025-2026 High School Guidance Counselor position at Gestalt Community Schools?
Description
The High School Counselor is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive school counseling program to serve the academic, social, and career development needs of students enrolled in PCAHS.
More specifically, the incumbent performs the following:
Development and Management
• Uses data to develop and inform the development of the school counseling program and evaluates the program’s impact on the school’s instructional goals.
• Supports the transition of student records and data between school years related to the secondary school counseling program, i.e. ensuring proper and accurate student schedules, supporting the registration process, and using data to support student planning.
• Collaborates on the development and management of a comprehensive school counseling program with the school administrator or instructional leader.
• Communicates and shares the goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to education stakeholders including students, families, and community partners.
• Uses the majority of the time (80%) to provide direct services to students through preventive and responsive services, including individual student planning, and uses the remaining time in development and management, system support, and accountability.
Preventative and Responsive Services
• Designs, implements, and assesses the guidance curriculum.
• Utilizes responsive counseling, initiating individual and group sessions for students’ academic, social and personal concerns.
• Consults with families and educators to assess student needs and interests and to discuss appropriate recommendations for educational options.
• Plans and coordinates and provides classroom guidance sessions to meet the identified guidance and counseling competencies in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal and social development to assist students in developing decision-making skills and identifying life goals.
• Assesses student needs and makes referrals to appropriate school resource personnel, social agencies, community agencies, and alternative programs.
Community/Parental Support
• Guides, coordinates and supports other school staff in implementing school-wide advisory programs.
• Uses responsive counseling strategies to establish relationships and collaborate with educators, students, families, and community partners which reflect recognition of and respect for each individual. Promotes an understanding and appreciation of diverse populations and cultures.
• Assists families in obtaining services for their children through an appropriate referral and follow-up process.
• Assists teachers in understanding their students, including providing and interpreting student data.
• Provides in-service training on topics related to the school counseling program and supporting student achievement.
Accountability
• Prepares and submits a variety of reports and data, to ensure the fulfillment of established program requirements.
• Uses all available data, including academic grades, discipline referrals, and attendance data to identify students in need and to deliver services.
• Interprets tests, student data and other assessment results appropriately in the counseling environment for the purpose of developing and implementing academic plans for individual students.
Requirements
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to Gestalt’s mission.
A proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will own, in partnership with the School Principal, the responsibility for the development of effective relationships and engagement within the school.
Must have a minimum Bachelor’s degree (Masters preferred) in counseling and have a minimum of 1 year of effective counseling experience.
Must demonstrate keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills. This role must be able to present to and influence all levels and act as a change agent.
Must be able to develop and implement initiatives and programs with minimal supervision.
Must be a self-starter with the experience and the ability to frame issues/opportunities for school leaders and senior management.
A team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, board or other outside partners.
Experience and/or knowledge of family resources in the Memphis community is strongly preferred
