Director of Academic and Secondary Counseling

Dickinson Independent School District•Dickinson, TX

About The Position

Provide districtwide leadership, oversight, and accountability for academic counseling and student progression in grades 6–12 with a s trong emphasis on course selection, credit management, graduation planning, and seamless transitions from junior high to high school, including traditional and virtual learning environments Ensure that all secondary students are academically supported, appropriately placed, and on track for graduation, college, career, and military readiness

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited college or university
Valid Texas School Counselor Certificate
Minimum three creditable years of teaching experience
Five years of school counseling experience required
Knowledge of counseling procedures, student appraisal, and career development
Knowledge of CCMR indicators, dual credit, AP programs, TSI, and ASVAB
Knowledge of Texas graduation requirements, credit management, and student transcript compliance
Ability to interpret student assessment data
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to collaborate effectively with campus and district staff
Ability to present to individuals, small groups, and large groups

Nice To Haves

Experience in CCMR, dual credit, AP, TSI, ASVAB, SAT, PSAT, and secondary academic advising preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee and lead all secondary course selection processes for grades 6–12 across traditional campuses and Virtual School, ensuring alignment with Texas graduation requirements, endorsement pathways, CCMR outcomes, and postsecondary goals.
Provide centralized oversight of the critical transition from junior high (grades 6–8) to high school, including: 8th-to-9th grade articulation and advising; development and monitoring of four-year graduation plans; course sequencing, placement decisions, and academic readiness; and parent and student academic guidance during transition years.
Serve as the district authority on secondary academic counseling, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance in: credit accrual and transcript management; graduation plans, endorsements, and diploma types; state and local graduation requirements; and academic rigor and appropriate course placement.
Provide districtwide oversight of Virtual School academic counseling, including: course selection, placement, and scheduling for Virtual School students; transcript accuracy, credit transfer, and grading compliance; graduation plan monitoring and four-year planning; and alignment of Virtual School coursework with district policies and accountability requirements.
Ensure equitable access for all secondary students, including Virtual School students, to Dual Credit, AP, SAT, PSAT, CCMR pathways, and advanced academic opportunities.
Lead and coordinate all College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) initiatives for grades 6–12, including Dual Credit, AP, TSI, ASVAB, SAT, PSAT, and related accountability indicators.
Oversee districtwide monitoring of secondary student progress, proactively identifying students at risk of credit deficiency, delayed graduation, or CCMR non-compliance, and coordinating intervention supports with campuses and Virtual School staff.
Ensure alignment between counseling, curriculum, master scheduling, and accountability systems, collaborating with campus administrators to ensure course offerings meet student needs and graduation timelines.
Develop, maintain, and communicate the district Academic Handbook for grades 6–12, serving as the authoritative resource for students, families, counselors, administrators, and Virtual School staff regarding academic planning and course requirements.
Provide leadership, training, and professional guidance to secondary counselors, strengthening academic advising practices, data use, and consistency in counseling systems across all middle school, high school, and Virtual School settings.
Advocate for and support all students by ensuring counseling practices promote equity, access, academic rigor, and postsecondary readiness in every learning environment.
Oversee the development and implementation of a balanced, comprehensive counseling program aligned with district goals and Texas model components.
Ensure students and parents receive guidance to plan, monitor, and manage educational and career development, including PGPs, CCMR pathways, and post-secondary options.
Develop and coordinate guidance curriculum to support personal, social, academic, and career development.
Advocate for a school environment that respects and supports diversity.
Coordinate school, home, and community resources for referrals and support.
Develop and coordinate district emergency response plans and crisis counseling activation.
Serve as Lead Counselor for Grades 6–12, ensuring aligned practices, procedures, and professional support, coordinating the secondary academic curriculum guides and leading the course selection process for secondary campuses.
Coordinate all CCMR initiatives, ensuring accountability compliance and supporting campus implementation.
Oversee Dual Credit and AP programs, collaborating with higher education partners and supporting student enrollment and success.
Manage districtwide TSI and ASVAB administration, compliance, and reporting.
Lead development, revision, and dissemination of the district Academic Handbook for grades 6–12.
Provide comprehensive oversight of secondary student credits, graduation requirements, and graduation plan monitoring to ensure all students are on track for timely graduation.
Monitor and manage CCMR accountability metrics, working closely with campus counselors and administrators to identify at-risk students and implement intervention strategies.
Analyze and report on secondary student achievement data, course enrollment trends, and program effectiveness to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
Coordinate vertical alignment and transition processes between middle and high school, including 8th-to-9th grade articulation activities.
Oversee the four-year planning process for high school students, ensuring alignment with graduation requirements, endorsement pathways, and post-secondary goals.
Coordinate SAT and PSAT administration, registration, and reporting in collaboration with campus testing coordinators.
Plan and deliver professional development for secondary counselors on curriculum planning, course selection procedures, graduation requirements, and state accountability measures.
Collaborate with campus administrators on master schedule development to ensure course offerings align with student needs and graduation requirements.
Deliver classroom guidance lessons using effective instructional strategies.
Provide individual and group counseling addressing academic, personal, social, and career concerns.
Guide students and parents through goal-setting and educational/career planning.
Deliver Responsive Services through counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, and referrals.
Provide System Support through program management, data analysis, and support for campus initiatives.
Consult with teachers delivering lessons based on the guidance curriculum.
Communicate counseling program goals, structures, and results to administrators, staff, parents, and the community.
Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct aligned with ACA, ASCA, and Texas standards.
Serve as a student advocate, collaborator, leader, and systems-change agent.
Support student monitoring of academic, personal, and social development.
Collaborate with administrators to coordinate student development programs.
Consult with the Counseling Program Advisory Council regarding program planning and improvement.
Guide families on higher education, college readiness, financial aid, and advanced coursework.
Conduct annual campus counseling program evaluations.
Provide staff and parent training to support student success.
Maintain and support campus-family engagement programs (English and Spanish).
Oversee distribution, collection, and reporting of parent surveys (Title I and others).
Perform additional duties aligned with a comprehensive counseling program.
Comply with federal and state laws, SBOE rules, and board policy.
Recommend updates to district policies relating to counseling and CCMR.
Adhere to all legal, ethical, and professional counseling standards.
Compile, maintain, and file all required reports and documentation.
Assist in hiring, evaluating, training, and supervising school counselors.
Provide professional learning to ensure consistent understanding of district policies, ethics, CCMR, dual credit/AP requirements, and state guidelines.
Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.