2026-2027 School Counselor

General Definition of Work

Through leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, school counselors promote student success, provide preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program addressing academic, career, and social/emotional development for all students.

The major functions of the school counselor job description incorporate the North Carolina State Board of Education’s guiding mission that every public school student will graduate from high school globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the twenty-first century.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary

State Salary Schedule Plus Local Supplement

Reports to
School Administrator

Essential Functions  (These duties represent a sample and may vary by position.)

• Develops and manages a comprehensive school counseling program based on the NC Comprehensive School Counseling Standard Course of Study and current individual school data to meet student needs.
• Counsels with students individually and in small groups for specifically identified needs as endorsed by recognized guidance curriculum.
• Counsels with parents individually and in small groups.
• Prepares and presents sessions regarding personal growth, school adjustment, career development, self-concept, attendance and related matters.
• Provides scheduled and spontaneous discussions with teachers, administrators, parents and outside agency personnel.
• Advocates for students, parents, and staff.
• Responds to and stabilizes crisis situations on an individual and school-wide basis.
• Implements Cabarrus County's Bullying and Harassment Policy and Procedure.
• Implements Cabarrus County's Attendance Policy.
• Consults and collaborates with other student support service personnel (nurse, school resource officer, social worker, psychologist).
• Actively participates in the school MTSS process to assist at-risk and underachieving student populations.
• Coordinates 504 and Homebound services where applicable.
• Analyzes and interprets student academic data (EOG, EOC, course selection). 
• Coordinates student transitions into new schools.
• Participates in and leads professional development opportunities.
• Provides classroom group guidance sessions.
• Performs other duties as deemed appropriate and assigned by the School Administrator.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to prepare, read and comprehend a variety of job-related forms, reports, spreadsheets, maps, plans, records, documentation and correspondence in all languages required by the job.
• Ability to speak to individuals or groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to respond adequately to inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Ability to perform under stress, deal with persons acting under stress and adapt when confronted with emergency situations.
• Ability to maintain proper professional conduct.
• Ability to keep in confidence all personal, student or personnel records and information.

Education and Experience

• North Carolina Standard Professional II License (K-12) – Level M.
• Professional School Counseling License (NC DPI).

Physical Requirements

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires sitting and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

• Valid driver’s license in the State of North Carolina.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.