2025-2026 SY: School Counselor - K-8 Community School

Santa Fe Public Schools•Santa Fe, NM

46d•$65,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Middle School Counselor is responsible for implementing a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program that supports students' academic achievement, career readiness, and social/emotional development. Grounded in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and aligned with district policies, this position requires strong collaboration with educators, families, and community stakeholders to promote student success and well-being.

Requirements

Minimum: Current School Counselor License from the New Mexico Public Education Department.
Strong ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with students, families, staff, and community members across diverse backgrounds, both in person and through digital platforms (e.g., video conferencing, phone, email).
Demonstrated interpersonal skills that foster trust, confidentiality, and positive relationships with adolescents and adults.
Highly organized and flexible, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines in a school environment.
Effective decision-making and problem-solving skills to support student needs, mediate conflicts, and guide academic and career planning.
Proficient in interpreting and applying educational research, legal guidelines, professional standards, and district policies relevant to school counseling.
Skilled in using technology to analyze and present student data, develop reports, maintain communication, and support counseling program objectives.
Confident in delivering presentations and facilitating discussions with students, parents, school teams, and community groups.

Nice To Haves

Preferred: Previous experience as middle school counselor.
Previous experience working with the ASCA National Model.
Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Academic Development: Assist students in developing and achieving academic goals and educational plans. Monitor and support student academic progress, including interventions as needed. Collaborate with teachers and administrators to promote academic success. Support students in developing study skills, time management, and self-advocacy.
Career Development: Introduce students to a wide range of career options through engaging and age-appropriate exploration activities. Facilitate lessons and events that build awareness of personal interests, strengths, and the connection between school and future careers.
Social/Emotional Development: Deliver developmentally appropriate classroom lessons to foster social and emotional skills. Provide individual and group counseling to support students' social and emotional well-being. Respond to student mental health concerns and connect families to community-based services. Support conflict resolution, peer relationships, and crisis intervention as needed.
Individual Student Planning: Conduct one-on-one planning sessions to help students set and monitor academic, career, and personal goals. Advise students and families on course selection, graduation requirements, and academic pathways. Assist students with transition from elementary to middle school.
Responsive Services: Provide immediate support to students in crisis or experiencing personal issues. Facilitate referrals to internal and external mental health resources. Serve on school crisis response and/or threat assessment teams. Maintain confidentiality while fulfilling mandatory reporting obligations.
System Support and Program Management: Develop and manage a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model. Use student data to identify needs, measure outcomes, and adjust programming. Participate in the School Wellness Team and other school-wide leadership teams and initiatives. Attends relevant IEP, SAT, and 504 meetings as appropriate. Advocate for student inclusion, equity, and access to educational opportunities and resources.
Collaboration and Consultation: Work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, families, and community agencies. Provide consultation to staff regarding student development and behavior strategies. Act as a liaison between the school and external support systems.
Ethics: Abide by ethical standards as outlined by ASCA and relevant state laws and regulations. Uphold and enforce Santa Fe Public Schools Code of Conduct, administrative directives and regulations, school board policies, and local, state and federal regulations. Maintains appropriate confidentiality. Consults with district personnel, including Executive Director of Student Wellness, when necessary. Model and encourage awareness and respect for the cultural diversity of students, families, and staff. Demonstrate cultural competence and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Professionalism: Maintain accurate and confidential student records. Engage in professional development, attend district meetings and trainings, and stay current with best practices in school counseling. Maintains current New Mexico School Counselor license.
Perform other related duties as assigned.