High School Counselor (Please apply directly to SkyView Academy - DO NOT apply online with DCSD)

Douglas County School District • Highlands Ranch, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

SkyView Academy is seeking a High School Counselor to provide comprehensive social-emotional support services to students and families, promoting academic success and overall well-being. The counselor will serve as a resource to administrators and teachers regarding mental health, behavioral interventions, crisis response, family engagement, and community resources. This role involves collaborating with the Director of Student Support Services, Executive Director, and other administrative team members to ensure school-wide practices align with SkyView Academy’s vision and mission while supporting students’ social, emotional, and behavioral development. The position requires assisting students in developing four-year academic plans, guiding them through the college admissions process, supporting career exploration, and providing information on financial aid and scholarships. The counselor will also coordinate college and career readiness events and develop relationships with external institutions and businesses. Analysis of student outcome data will be used to improve programming, and the counselor will advocate for and assist in the development of programs that enhance students' educational experiences and social-emotional well-being. The role also involves advising on and enhancing a school culture that promotes professional growth, cultural proficiency, character development, and excellence in student learning. Specific duties may include scheduling, workshops, parent meetings, event planning, college and career programming, crisis management, and other assigned tasks.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required
• Current Colorado Department of Education Special Services License as a School Social Worker required
• Experience working in a school setting preferred
• Strong knowledge of special education law, IEP processes, and MTSS/RTI frameworks
• Demonstrated skill in crisis prevention, assessment, and intervention
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development (PreK–12)
• Experience supporting students with behavioral and emotional disabilities
• Excellent documentation, case management, and record-keeping skills
• Proficient in the use of technology
• Demonstrates empathy, cultural competence, and the ability to build strong relationships with students and families
• Strong communication skills with students, parents/guardians, and staff
• Special Service Provider License - School Counseling - Colorado Department of Education
• Master's Degree: Counseling

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in a PreK–12 educational setting
• Passion for supporting the whole child: academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development
• Commitment to developing a whole-school culture that provides appropriate structure for preschool–12th grade
• Precise, persuasive, and effective interpersonal communication and writing skills
• Entrepreneurial attitude, sound decision-making, and well-developed case management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively while maintaining professional boundaries
• Accountable for personal actions and decisions, and comfortable holding others accountable
• Accessible and open-minded approach to students, staff, parents, and community
• Dedication to being a respectable leader and role model within the school and community

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling to students related to academic concerns, behavioral issues, social challenges, and emotional well-being.
• Work with students individually regarding personal concerns related to home and family relationships, health, school performance, and emotional adjustment.
• Create and maintain confidential, accurate, and complete student records in compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
• Collaborate with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators regarding student academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss student progress and serve as a resource regarding student development and postsecondary planning.
• Serve as a resource within the school community for academic, social-emotional, and crisis intervention support.
• Assist students in developing four-year academic plans aligned to graduation requirements and postsecondary goals.
• Guide students and families through the college admissions process, including college selection, applications, essays, recommendation requests, and enrollment decisions.
• Support students in career exploration and career readiness planning through interest inventories, pathway exploration, internships, job shadowing opportunities, military options, workforce development programs, and career assessments.
• Provide information and support regarding scholarships, FAFSA completion, financial aid opportunities, and postsecondary funding resources.
• Coordinate and facilitate college and career readiness events including college fairs, career fairs, financial aid nights, college application workshops, and informational meetings.
• Develop and maintain relationships with colleges, universities, trade schools, military representatives, apprenticeship programs, and local business partners.
• Analyze student outcome data related to college acceptance, career placement, scholarship attainment, and postsecondary readiness to improve programming and services.
• Advocate for and assist in the planning, development, scheduling, enrollment, and implementation of programs that enhance students' educational experiences, career opportunities, college readiness, and social-emotional well-being.
• Advise and participate in the development and enhancement of a school culture that promotes professional growth, cultural proficiency, character development, and excellence in student learning.
• Refer and connect students to appropriate resources to enhance learning and development.
• Support students in the successful transition from each grade level into the next phase. Prepare students for post-secondary options.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Encourage two-way communication to enhance and promote the school counseling program.
• Counsel students to encourage and support academic achievement. Assist students regarding educational issues such as course and program selection, class scheduling, truancy, study habits and college/career planning.
• Use available technology resources to enhance the school counseling practice and program.
• Provide information to students and parents regarding academic progress, counseling programs, community resources, post-secondary opportunities, etc.
• Align the counseling program to school goals (School Improvement Plan).
• Customize counseling services to meet individual student and school needs.
• Assist in coordinating district, state, and/or post-secondary testing programs.
• Use assessment data to measure student learning and academic growth and analyze results in planning counseling decisions.
• Counsel students to help them understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting their educational situation. Demonstrate age-appropriate counseling practices that meet academic, career, and personal/social needs.
• Maintain community partnerships to support students and their families.
• Participate in professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills.
• Work collaboratively within the school environment and with appropriate stakeholders to advance the goals of the Counseling Program.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• PERA
• health savings account (HSA)
• flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• District paid and voluntary additional (supplemental) life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• short and long-term disability
• critical illness and accident voluntary insurance
• employee assistance program (EAP)
• voluntary 401(k)
• 403(b)
• 457 retirement plan options

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level