High School Guidance Counselor

POSITION OBJECTIVE:  To serve as a guide and a resource to students and families in managing their high school experience and post secondary transitions. This involves assisting with college and career planning as well as supporting students in academic, emotional, and spiritual growth.

QUALIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:  The employee must be a Christian with an authentic and a mature personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who agrees to the HCS Statement of Faith, Charter of Core Values and Employee Covenant in both their professional conduct and personal lifestyle.  The employee is committed to incorporating these qualities and standards in carrying out the calling to Christian education. Establish positive relationships with all the varied members of the HCS community. Display an inherent passion for God, students, and life/career counseling. Demonstrate respect for others, especially students. Exhibit professional discernment and good judgment. Offer a godly example that honors school standards and expectations. Address concerns and offer suggestions in an appropriate and confidential manner. 

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:  Each counselor will have a valid Educator’s Professional license with a school counselor’s designation from the State of Indiana and either have, or work to gain, an active certification with ACSI at the School Counselor level.  

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Have a personal and active relationship with Jesus Christ; model Christian character at all times
• Actively promote the educational philosophy of Heritage Christian School
• Exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in relationships with others
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly collaborative, organized and detail oriented
• Proficient with Microsoft and Google

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

College and Career

• Guide students and families through the high school graduation requirements and prepare students for  post-secondary readiness
• Track and verify each students graduation requirements and their diploma earned
• Coordinate post-secondary events such as college visits, career and college fair, financial aid seminar etc. 
• Educate families on the college search process (including class and parent presentations)
• Process college and scholarship applications
• Write student letters of recommendation
• Coordinate and supervise college representative visits 
• Train students and staff on Naviance

Testing

• PSAT/SAT/Prep-ACT/ACT registration and administration for all students
• Communicate testing remediation opportunities

Student Issues

• Meet/counsel with academically struggling students
• Assist with follow-up and documentation for students reported in crisis (eat disorder, health, home, etc)
• Assist families with counselor referrals
• Participate in case conferences

Course Counseling, Scheduling, and Grades

• Scheduling meetings with all grades, by class, individually and with parents 
• Counsel students regarding schedule changes
• Manage the Teacher Assistant program

The above description covers the most significant duties performed, but does not restrict the administration’s right to assign or reassign other reasonable duties, responsibilities, or expectations to this job at any time, with or without advance notice.  The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must be able to meet physical requirements of the position.  Must be able to maintain a stationary position for over 75% of the work day.  Must be able to traverse campus.  Must be able to use computers and other audio-visual equipment.  Must be able to ascend and descend stairs.  Must be able to communicate with others. Specific vision abilities required in this position include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Small office environment; some work completed while remaining stationary at a desk using a computer monitor and keyboard, telephone, and various filing systems, while other work is required by actively interacting with students, faculty, and administrators throughout the school day; interruptions are to be expected.

EXEMPT STATUS:  Exempt, Salary

FACULTY/ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT STATUS: Yes

WORK SCHEDULE:  The schedule will follow the academic calendar with typical work hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and may include evenings and weekends, as needed. In addition, this position will work 20 days over summer break during the hours of 8:30-3:30.  

BENEFIT CATEGORY: 10 months, FT, 10 days PTO

Date prepared: April 2008

Date updated: March, 2024

Prepared by: J.Burgess and S.Stein