Position: Director of Academic and Secondary Counseling

Department: School Leadership

Wage/Hour Status:Exempt

Immediate Supervisor(s):Executive Director of School Leadership

Pay Grade:Per Compensation Manual

Days Employed:Per Compensation Manual

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

• Provide districtwide leadership oversight and accountability for academic counseling and student progression in grades 612 with a strong emphasis on course selection credit management graduation planning and seamless transitions from junior high to high school including traditional and virtual learning environments
• Ensure that all secondary students are academically supported appropriately placed and on track for graduation college career and military readiness

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

• Masters degree from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas School Counselor Certificate

Experience:

• Minimum three creditable years of teaching experience
• Five years of school counseling experience required
• Experience in CCMR dual credit AP TSI ASVAB SAT PSAT and secondary academic advising preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of counseling procedures student appraisal and career development
• Knowledge of CCMR indicators dual credit AP programs TSI and ASVAB
• Knowledge of Texas graduation requirements credit management and student transcript compliance
• Ability to interpret student assessment data
• Excellent organizational communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with campus and district staff
• Ability to present to individuals small groups and large groups

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Program Management and Administration:

• Oversee and lead all secondary course selection processes for grades 612 across traditional campuses and Virtual School ensuring alignment with Texas graduation requirements endorsement pathways CCMR outcomes and postsecondary goals.
• Provide centralized oversight of the critical transition from junior high (grades 68) to high school including: 8th-to-9th grade articulation and advising; development and monitoring of four-year graduation plans; course sequencing placement decisions and academic readiness; and parent and student academic guidance during transition years.
• Serve as the district authority on secondary academic counseling ensuring consistency accuracy and compliance in: credit accrual and transcript management; graduation plans endorsements and diploma types; state and local graduation requirements; and academic rigor and appropriate course placement.
• Provide districtwide oversight of Virtual School academic counseling including: course selection placement and scheduling for Virtual School students; transcript accuracy credit transfer and grading compliance; graduation plan monitoring and four-year planning; and alignment of Virtual School coursework with district policies and accountability requirements.
• Ensure equitable access for all secondary students including Virtual School students to Dual Credit AP SAT PSAT CCMR pathways and advanced academic opportunities.
• Lead and coordinate all College Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) initiatives for grades 612 including Dual Credit AP TSI ASVAB SAT PSAT and related accountability indicators.
• Oversee districtwide monitoring of secondary student progress proactively identifying students at risk of credit deficiency delayed graduation or CCMR non-compliance and coordinating intervention supports with campuses and Virtual School staff.
• Ensure alignment between counseling curriculum master scheduling and accountability systems collaborating with campus administrators to ensure course offerings meet student needs and graduation timelines.
• Develop maintain and communicate the district Academic Handbook for grades 612 serving as the authoritative resource for students families counselors administrators and Virtual School staff regarding academic planning and course requirements.
• Provide leadership training and professional guidance to secondary counselors strengthening academic advising practices data use and consistency in counseling systems across all middle school high school and Virtual School settings.
• Advocate for and support all students by ensuring counseling practices promote equity access academic rigor and postsecondary readiness in every learning environment.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a balanced comprehensive counseling program aligned with district goals and Texas model components.
• Ensure students and parents receive guidance to plan monitor and manage educational and career development including PGPs CCMR pathways and post-secondary options.
• Develop and coordinate guidance curriculum to support personal social academic and career development.
• Advocate for a school environment that respects and supports diversity.
• Coordinate school home and community resources for referrals and support.
• Develop and coordinate district emergency response plans and crisis counseling activation.
• Serve as Lead Counselor for Grades 612 ensuring aligned practices procedures and professional support coordinating the secondary academic curriculum guides and leading the course selection process for secondary campuses.
• Coordinate all CCMR initiatives ensuring accountability compliance and supporting campus implementation.
• Oversee Dual Credit and AP programs collaborating with higher education partners and supporting student enrollment and success.
• Manage districtwide TSI and ASVAB administration compliance and reporting.
• Lead development revision and dissemination of the district Academic Handbook for grades 612.
• Provide comprehensive oversight of secondary student credits graduation requirements and graduation plan monitoring to ensure all students are on track for timely graduation.
• Monitor and manage CCMR accountability metrics working closely with campus counselors and administrators to identify at-risk students and implement intervention strategies.
• Analyze and report on secondary student achievement data course enrollment trends and program effectiveness to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
• Coordinate vertical alignment and transition processes between middle and high school including 8th-to-9th grade articulation activities.
• Oversee the four-year planning process for high school students ensuring alignment with graduation requirements endorsement pathways and post-secondary goals.
• Coordinate SAT and PSAT administration registration and reporting in collaboration with campus testing coordinators.
• Plan and deliver professional development for secondary counselors on curriculum planning course selection procedures graduation requirements and state accountability measures.
• Collaborate with campus administrators on master schedule development to ensure course offerings align with student needs and graduation requirements.

Professional School Counselor Responsibilities:

• Deliver classroom guidance lessons using effective instructional strategies.
• Provide individual and group counseling addressing academic personal social and career concerns.
• Guide students and parents through goal-setting and educational/career planning.
• Deliver Responsive Services through counseling crisis intervention consultation and referrals.
• Provide System Support through program management data analysis and support for campus initiatives.
• Consult with teachers delivering lessons based on the guidance curriculum.
• Communicate counseling program goals structures and results to administrators staff parents and the community.
• Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct aligned with ACA ASCA and Texas standards.
• Serve as a student advocate collaborator leader and systems-change agent.
• Support student monitoring of academic personal and social development.
• Collaborate with administrators to coordinate student development programs.
• Consult with the Counseling Program Advisory Council regarding program planning and improvement.
• Guide families on higher education college readiness financial aid and advanced coursework.
• Conduct annual campus counseling program evaluations.
• Provide staff and parent training to support student success.
• Maintain and support campus-family engagement programs (English and Spanish).
• Oversee distribution collection and reporting of parent surveys (Title I and others).
• Perform additional duties aligned with a comprehensive counseling program.

Policy Reports and Law:

• Comply with federal and state laws SBOE rules and board policy.
• Recommend updates to district policies relating to counseling and CCMR.
• Adhere to all legal ethical and professional counseling standards.
• Compile maintain and file all required reports and documentation.

Personnel Management:

• Assist in hiring evaluating training and supervising school counselors.
• Provide professional learning to ensure consistent understanding of district policies ethics CCMR dual credit/AP requirements and state guidelines.

Other:

• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise and evaluate the work of the counseling department administrative assistant.
• Provide functional leadership for campus counseling staff especially grades 612.

TOOLS/EQUIPMENT USED:

• Standard office equipment computers peripherals
• Instructional and adaptive equipment for student support

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Posture:

• Frequent standing kneeling/squatting bending/stooping pushing/pulling twisting

Motion:

• Frequent walking and reaching

Lifting:

• Light lifting (less than 15 lbs)
• Occasional heavy lifting (45 lbs) when assisting students with physical needs

Environment:

• Work inside and outside
• Exposure to sun heat cold inclement weather
• Possible exposure to noise and biological hazards

Mental Demands:

• Frequent interruptions
• Maintain emotional control under stress

Professional Dress:

• Clean neat and appropriate dress required
• Additional standards may be set by the supervisor
• Visible body piercings other than earrings not permitted during work hours

EVALUATION:

• Performance of this position will be evaluated annually in accordance with district policies.

Required Experience:

Director