Virtual Academy/Alternative Program School Counselor

Minimum Qualifications:

SC certification in Guidance required with a strong GPA in relevant course work

Nationally Registered or Certified Career Development Facilitator (or complete the process of completing the certification within two years)

Elementary/Middle school experience preferred

Knowledge of effective counseling techniques for middle school students

Knowledge and understanding of human growth and development

Skilled in diagnosing learning and behavioral problems

Outstanding verbal and written communication skills

Experience working with middle school students preferred

Knowledge of instructional technology and its applications to the guidance field

Skill in interpersonal relations with pupils parents teachers staff and the general public

Outstanding references from current and former supervisors

Satisfactory SLED (SC Law Enforcement Division) report

Salary Range: Teacher Salary Schedule

Length of Contract: 190days

Starting Date: 2025-2026School Year (position requires some Face-to-Face responsibilities)

College transcripts three references and a copy of appropriate credentials should also be submitted during the application process.

Prior to employment the District will request a criminal record history check for past action of crimes. For this reason information about date of birth gender and race is requested as a part of the application process.

The district reserves the right to make changes to the job posting/description as necessary to meet the districts needs.

JOB DESCRIPTION

ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS/VIRTUAL ACADEMY ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

Purpose Statement:

The job of Rock Hill Schools Alternative Programs/Virtual Academy Elementary/Middle School Guidance Counselor is a hybrid position split between a home-based office and district sites for the purpose/s of providing both in-person and remote guidance services for students school staff and parents through counseling consulting and coordinating; managing the schedules and placement of assigned students; providing course curriculum information and recommendations to students; developing plans and/or providing information regarding students goals; and ensuring completion of students applications within a designated time frame.

This job reports to the Assistant Director of Virtual Academy and the Assistant Director of Alternative Programs

Essential Functions

• Coordinates services between home school counselors and mental health professionals.
• Documents guidance and counseling services provided by the home school and the virtual academy.
• Counsels (academic personal/social and/or behavioral) students parents and guardians for the purpose of enhancing student success in school.
• Utilizes small group and 1 on 1 counseling services to support social and emotional learning goals.
• Partners with teachers to integrate social and emotional learning experiences into the taught curriculum.
• Regularly attends in-person meetings and other engagements in district schools and offices.
• Schedules and/or reschedules student classes for the purpose of securing appropriate placement and meeting their graduation and college eligibility requirements.
• Monitors students progress for the purpose of identifying issues and taking appropriate action for increasing student success.
• Supervises assigned programs (e.g. scholarships peer counseling special education ESL etc.) for the purpose of monitoring performance providing for professional growth and achieving overall curriculum objectives.
• Coordinates with teachers college and university personnel resource specialists and/or community (e.g. service clubs courts child protective services DSS DJJ etc.) for the purpose of providing/receiving requested information and/or making recommendations.
• Composes a wide variety of materials (e.g. quantity reports student activities correspondence audits etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities providing written reference and/or conveying information.
• Develops a variety of special programs (e.g. career night financial aid workshops etc.) for the purpose of providing information to assist students in the successful transition from high school to career training and/or continuing education.
• Prepares applications for students (e.g. scholarships college financial aid etc.) for the purpose of ensuring completion of application processes within designated time frames.
• Researches program eligibility requirements (e.g. financial aid college eligibility etc.) for the purpose of providing up-to-date accurate counsel to students.
• Presents information for the purpose of communicating information gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controls.
• Coordinates parent/teacher conferences for the purpose of providing/receiving information to the parents.
• Participates in a variety of meetings and conferences (e.g. SIT etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Principal for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the school and supporting the Guidance Department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to develop interpersonal relationships with students teachers administrators parents and community agency and service contacts; perform multiple technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; preparing and maintaining accurate records; planning and managing projects; and using pertinent software applications.

KNOWLEDGE is required review and interpret highly technical information such as test results write technical materials and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job includes: knowledge of counseling techniques student evaluation techniques adolescent growth and development and school curriculum.

ABILITY is required to identify potential problem areas as soon as possible; provide appropriate counseling consulting and coordinating of services; assist students to develop his/her potential understand his/her strengths and limitations widen his/her interests adjust to his/her environment meet demands of society and begin to define goals for his/her future; schedule a significant number of activities meetings and/or events; often gather collate and/or classify data; and use basic job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with community agencies and services and others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing a variety of complex processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize specific job-related equipment. In working with others independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with frequent interruptions.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading guiding and/or coordinating others; and operating within a defined budget. Utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the jobs functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organizations services.

Working Environment

This role will be based at the employees home office with the expectation of regularly reporting to school sites and central office facilities to coordinate necessary services. The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: some lifting carrying pushing and/or pulling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 60% sitting 20% walking and 20% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations.

Experience

Job related experience within specialized field is required.

Education

Masters degree in job related area.

Required Testing

Pre-employment TB Test

Certificates & Licenses

South Carolina certification in the appropriate area as required with a strong GPA in relevant coursework.

Continuing Educ. / Training

120 credits every 5 years to renew a professional certificate and Global Career Development Facilitator Training.

Clearances

Satisfactory SLED (SC Law Enforcement Division) report; outstanding references from current and former employers.

FLSA Status

Exempt

Salary Grade

Teacher Scale