School Counselor (Starting January 2027)

Florence School District 1•Florence, SC

17h

About The Position

The School Counselor, based at Timrod Elementary School, plans, supervises, and provides professional guidance services to help students build academic, social, emotional, and physical foundations for success in school and later life. The role provides prevention, intervention, crisis counseling, and personal and academic support, and maintains accurate, current, and confidential student records. The counselor supports students with educational and occupational planning, career exploration, personal concerns, school and community participation, and applications to colleges, scholarships, and employment. The position also works with families, school personnel, and outside service providers; contributes to staff development and school-community communication; and handles program administration, budgeting, records, events, and general office duties. The role requires a master’s degree in school counseling with relevant coursework, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Prior teaching experience is desirable.

Requirements

Master’s degree in school counseling, including required coursework in school guidance counseling, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of school guidance counseling theories, methods, practices, and materials.
Ability to plan and implement routine, intervention, and crisis counseling strategies.
Ability to develop effective relationships with students and work cooperatively with school personnel, professionals, and the public.
Ability to read and interpret complex materials, analyze information, and prepare clear written reports and records.
Ability to communicate effectively with people of varying ages and educational and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to interpret test scores and perform required mathematical calculations.
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and complete work with minimal supervision.
Ability to prepare and monitor department budgets.
Knowledge of and ability to use modern office practices, equipment, and computers.
Ability to respond calmly and quickly to emergencies and handle volatile situations professionally.
Prior teaching experience is desirable.

Nice To Haves

Prior teaching experience.

Responsibilities

Assist students with course and subject selection and provide occupational information.
Help students assess aptitudes, abilities, career interests, and choices, and develop educational and occupational plans.
Supervise preparation and processing of college, scholarship, and employment applications; provide student information and recommendations to colleges and potential employers.
Plan guidance field trips and an annual career day.
Guide students in school and community activities and conduct individual, small-group, large-group, and classroom counseling sessions.
Identify and develop students’ special abilities and help address educational handicaps.
Provide individual support for personal problems, including matters related to home and family, health, and emotional adjustment.
Provide crisis intervention for students in immediate need.
Consult with parents, principals, nursing staff, teachers, school psychologists, special service personnel, and outside experts on individual cases.
Refer students to other agencies and service providers as appropriate.
Plan or participate in staff orientation and staff development, provide guidance in-service training for teachers, and familiarize staff with student personnel services.
Advise administrators and faculty on student discipline matters.
Interpret the school’s objectives and guidance program to students, parents, and the community.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date, confidential student records and document counseling services and referrals.
Plan and administer the department budget, monitor expenditures, and maintain financial records.
Coordinate special events, projects, or programs as assigned.
Perform general administrative and office duties, including preparing reports and correspondence, entering and compiling data, copying and filing documents, attending and conducting meetings, and responding to mail and telephone calls.
Operate office and audiovisual equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, telephones, calculators, and typewriters.
Perform related duties as required.