Description
Job Title: High School Guidance Counselor
Reports to: Building Principal
Location: William Henry Harrison High School
Southwest Local School District, situated in the southwestern corner of Ohio, is composed of: Harrison Elementary School, Miami Whitewater Elementary School, Crosby Elementary School, the Southwest Early Childhood Learning Center, Harrison Junior School and William Henry Harrison High School. The District has achieved an “Excellent” rating from the Ohio Department of Education for the past four years and each of our schools have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with Blue Ribbon Awards for Excellence in Education.
Our Mission: "Academic and Social Growth for all students, every day!"
Our Motto: "Excellence through Relationships"
Our Core Values: Trust, Respect, Ownership and Leadership
Southwest Local School District believes in providing the best possible learning environment by hiring, developing and retaining quality personnel. We believe that education needs to take a leadership role in improving society by enhancing activities/programs that help develop well-rounded students who can cope with everyday pressures. We are seeking a High School Guidance Counselor for the 2025 - 2026 school year and beyond to join our team at William Henry Harrison High School.
Job Summary: The High School Guidance Counselor will help every student to thrive academically and socially in an academic setting and will be responsive to students' individual needs in order to achieve success, with the goal of ensuring that all students are college- and career-ready upon graduating from High School.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work with students on an individual basis seeking a solution to personal problems such as: home and family relations, adjusting to a school program, health, social and emotional disturbances.
- Communicate and collaborate with students, parents, teachers, and/or outside agencies to help students to be successful.
- Assist students in their selection of courses, ensuring students' course selections meet their individual learning needs as well as state graduation and testing requirements.
- Prepare annually a course catalog including required and elective courses.
- Create and maintain the master schedule, and work with students, teachers, and administrators on schedule changes.
- Host parent nights to provide important information regarding course selection, college application process, and financial aid.
- Communicate and collaborate with local universities to stay abreast of higher education expectations, policies, and important updates.
- Assist students in scheduling college visits or job shadow experiences.
- Assist students in developing plans for work study or internships.
- Communicate regularly with parents and students about upcoming events, deadlines, and scholarship availability.
- Communicate regularly and often with parents of students at-risk for not graduating high school or for dropping out.
- Assist students in college selection and application, including the timely transmission of student records and recommendation letters.
- Coordinate with administration an absence intervention plan for truant students.
- Collaborate with administration and teachers to develop intervention plans for students with academic or behavioral issues.
- Work to discover and develop special interests and abilities of students.
- Arrange for tutors for students, as needed.
- Collaborate with the school psychologist and teachers in areas of referrals for testing and placement.
- Assist administrators with all state and district assessment coordination and administration.
- Coordinate college-readiness assessment administration and secure and train test proctors to assist in the administration.
- Serve as liaison to Great Oaks to recruit and support career technical students.
- Orient new students to the school, to school procedures and various opportunities for learning. Schedule a conference with students and parents new to the district and/or school within the district.
- Work to develop student interest in regularly attending school by helping to motivate students to do classwork or homework, encourage participation in school activities, events, clubs, or organizations.
- Schedule a private conference with each student at least once during the school year to check in and discuss progress towards goals. Perform credit and assessment checks annually with each student.
- Maintain confidentialities of student records and make sure all student records are properly updated, as needed.
- Communicate and collaborate with outside agencies for student support. Obtain and disseminate appropriate information regarding wrap-around services.
- Establish meetings with small groups on special topics relating to the overall physical and mental health and well-being of students, support groups, and promoting student success.
- Advise administration and teachers on matters of concern for students regarding physical, emotional, social, educational, or financial needs.
- Collaborate with the Elementary School administration and guidance staff to assist 5th grade students in their transition to 6th grade.
- Collaborate with the High School administration and guidance staff to assist 8th grade students in their transition to 9th grade.
- Implement a career advising curriculum for students in grades 6-8.
- Collaborate with administration to arrange for guest speakers for students.
- Stay abreast of NCAA changes and requirements for eligibility for students interested in collegiate athletics and communicate requirements regularly to students and parents.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the principal.
Qualifications – To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above / below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience:
- Master's degree in School Counseling.
- Successful teaching experience and /or experience working with youth is preferred.
- Valid Counselor's license issued by the Ohio Department of Education.
- May consider a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).
Other Skills and Abilities:
- Must have a positive and enthusiastic attitude and the ability to work well with others.
- Must be empathetic and have excellent communication (verbal and non-verbal) and teaming skills, and work to create and maintain positive relationships with students, staff, and families.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of student, staff, or sensitive information is non-negotiable.
- Ability to perform duties with awareness of district requirements and BOE policies.
- Must have excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Must be able to provide demonstrated leadership in the execution of communication strategies.
- Must be able to work independently.
- Pushing the agenda and goals of the school district is imperative.
- Political acumen and organizational support is strong focus as well.
Benefits:
Southwest Local School District participates in the Southwest Ohio Organization for School Health (SWOOSH). SWOOSH is a health and wellness consortium for school districts and government agencies that come together to provide stability and quality access to health care and benefits to all eligible members. Full-time employees have access to the benefits below:
- Retirement
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance – 100% paid by District
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Mental Health Benefits
- Paid Time Off
Southwest Local School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.