School Counselor Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 2+ years of experience in college advising, counseling, youth development, or education setting
• Knowledge of college admissions processes, financial aid systems (FAFA, CSS Profile), and career pathways
• Previous experience working in urban communities is required
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build trusting relationships with students and families
• Strong problem solving skills
• Commitment to educational equity and a strengths-based approach to student development
• Excellent organizational, communication, written, and technology skills (Naviance, Common App, FAFSA platforms, etc.)

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or a related field preferred
• A valid School Counselor certification for New Jersey is recommended

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group advising to students in grades 9-12 regarding college, career, and vocational pathways.
• Facilitate the use of interest inventories, aptitude tests, transcript reviews, and student data analysis to guide educational, career, and personal-social development, and coordinate whole-school activities such as college trips to support student exposure and planning.
• Support academic planning, goal-setting, and postsecondary readiness for all students.
• Deliver targeted counseling sessions to assist students with educational planning, social-emotional challenges related to academic success, and career exploration.
• Provide short-term counseling interventions and referral to specialized in-school support services.
• Advocate for students during IEP meetings, 504 meetings, and other student-centered planning sessions.
• Facilitate structured lessons, as part of the broader high school curriculum, on academic success, college access, career planning, financial aid, and vocational options, and lead key engagement opportunities such as financial aid nights and parent education sessions.
• Develop and implement transition programming such as 8th-to-9th grade orientation, grade-level college and career workshops, financial aid nights, and parent education events.
• Supervise all aspects of the postsecondary application processes, including college, trade school, and certificated program applications, FAFSA and financial aid completion, and scholarship applications.
• Monitor and document student academic progress regularly; implement interventions for students experiencing matriculation challenges, including study skills development, tutoring referrals, and parent collaboration.
• Analyze and disaggregate school-wide data related to matriculation and graduation rates, college and vocational program enrollment, and career readiness to inform programming and interventions.
• Maintain a graduation tracker for each cohort, ensuring all student schedules and transcripts align with NJ State graduation requirements and postsecondary goals.
• Serve as a key resource for families, providing counseling and workshops related to college admissions, vocational training, financial aid, and career pathways.
• Build partnerships with colleges, universities, trade schools, and community organizations to create expanded postsecondary opportunities for students.
• Dissemination of scholarship information, student application support, and award processing.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and school-based teams to address the holistic needs of students and integrate college and career readiness into school culture.
• Consult with teachers on strategies to build academic and career connections within the classroom.
• Contribute to the creation and management of the school’s main schedule, including resolving scheduling conflicts and balancing class sizes.
• Connect college and career counseling efforts to the school’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Collaborate with alumni success coaches on activities, not limited to: career day, college access, internship opportunities, etc.

Benefits

• Retirement (NJ Pension)
• Health
• Vision
• Dental