2026-2027 School Counselor

The School District of Lee County•Fort Myers, FL

About The Position

The School Counselor will design and implement a data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program for all students to address barriers to student learning and to close achievement/opportunity gaps. This role involves providing direct and indirect services to students, delivering programs that promote essential student development standards, and acting as a systems change agent to ensure a safe and supportive school climate. The counselor will foster parent and community partnerships, infuse cultural competence and ethical practices, and provide counseling during times of transition and heightened stress. Additionally, the role supports mental health services, develops a clear vision and mission for the counseling program, uses school data to assist students, and utilizes technology effectively. Adherence to legal and ethical decision-making based on professional standards and district policies is required. The position may also involve performing Medicaid administrative claims reimbursable activities.

Requirements

Master’s degree in counseling from an accredited institution.
Valid Florida teaching certificate in guidance and counseling PK-12.
Clear and concise oral and written communication skills.
Analytical, mathematical, organizational, and prioritization skills.
Flexibility and adaptability in dealing with rapidly changing priorities and demands.
Knowledge and application of counseling theories and practices.
Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and enforce pertinent regulations, policies, and procedures for the functional area of assignment.
Knowledge of and experience using multiple project management tools and methodologies.
Knowledge of HIPAA, Public Records, Sunshine Law, FERPA, and other laws/regulations related to student and employee privacy, public information, and records retention.
Ability to communicate technical information to technical and non-technical personnel.
Ability to deliver high-quality customer service in a timely and professional manner.
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Proven experience successfully managing business/department functions and staff preferred.
Industry certification preferred.
Lean Six Sigma Certification preferred.
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find acceptable.

Responsibilities

Design and implement a data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program for all students to address barriers to student learning and to close achievement/opportunity gaps.
Provide direct services for students including, but not limited to, school counseling core curriculum, individual counseling and student planning, large and small group counseling, and preventative and responsive services.
Provide indirect services on behalf of students including, but not limited to, referrals for additional assistance and consultation/collaboration with parents, teachers, administrators, and other key stakeholders to create learning environments that promote educational equity, access, and success for every student.
Deliver programs that promote students’ development of the American School Counselor Association’s essential mindsets and behavior standards including, but not limited to, learning skills, social skills, self-management skills, and college/career readiness skills.
Increase understanding of school counseling student standards and engage faculty, students, parents, and community members in comprehending the connection between these standards and the vision of academic success and social-emotional development aligned to college/career readiness.
Use the skills of leadership, advocacy, and collaboration to create systemic change to improve the academic, social-emotional, and post-graduate success for all students.
Act as a systems change agent to ensure a safe and supportive school climate that promotes the success of all students through opportunities for academic development, social-emotional learning, and college/career readiness.
Foster parent and community partnerships to support the academic, social-emotional, and career development of all students.
Infuse cultural competence along with ethical and professional competencies in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating the comprehensive school counseling program.
Provide counseling for students during times of transition, separation, heightened stress, and critical change.
Support the continuum of mental health services, including prevention and intervention strategies, and identifies best practices for collaborating with community mental health providers to enhance student success.
Develop and communicates a school counseling vision and mission statement that is concise, clear, and comprehensive, describing a school counseling program’s purpose for every student in alignment with the school, district, and state visions/missions.
Use school data to identify and assist individual students who are performing below grade level and provide opportunities and resources to be successful in school.
Utilize technology effectively and efficiently to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate the comprehensive school counseling program.
Use legal and ethical decision-making based on standards and principles of the school counseling profession and educational systems, including district and building policies.
Perform Medicaid administrative claims reimbursable activities as directed in accordance with Chapter 3 of the federally approved School District Administrative Claiming (SDAC) Guide.