Alternative High School School Counselor

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of young people? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same? If so, we invite you to join our team as a High School Counselor.

Reports To: Cloud City High School Principal

Length of Assignment :179 days per year for 2026-2027 school year. Schedule developed collaboratively with Principal. Follows teacher calendar with 5 additional work days for counselors.

Salary: Subject to Certified Teacher Salary Schedule Paid on the SSP schedule which begins at Row E, Column MA. Full benefits provided including PTO, Health, Dental and Vision insurance.

This position is funded through a one-year School Counselor Corps Grant, with the possibility of continuing beyond the grant period through the district’s sustainability efforts.

Employees who hold a Counseling SSP credential will be placed on the MA, Row E salary schedule. Employees without a Counseling SSP credential will be placed on the certified salary schedule according to standard district placement rules.

Purpose of Position:

As a High School Counselor, you will work collaboratively with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community to promote student success and well-being.You will work collaboratively with students, teachers, administration, and families to support student success in the areas of academic achievement, career and college readiness, social/emotional development, and the teaching of healthy, appropriate behaviors and decision-making skills that promote overall student well-being; serving as a resource; and delivering services within the framework of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success.

Responsibilities:

Duties of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Use student data to identify needs, measure progress, and guide supports and interventions.
• Provide individual and group support to students with academic, social/emotional, mental health, and career/college needs.
• Track and maintain documentation of accurate records of student services, contacts, and interventions along with student progress, interventions, and outcomes.
• Serve as a first responder for student mental health and behavioral concerns, including suicide risk assessments when needed.
• Follow referral and intervention processes to support student social/emotional, behavioral, and academic success.
• Monitor, track, and support student attendance on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, collaborating with students, families, and staff to improve attendance and address barriers to school engagement.
• Facilitate student and family workshops on topics such as study skills, stress management, conflict resolution, and college/career readiness.
• Support family engagement and coordinate communication regarding student needs and intervention plans.
• Assist with outside service coordination and community resource connections for students and families
• Coordinate or provide mental health services required through IEPs.
• Develop, monitor, and update student 504 plans.
• Collaborate with staff and school teams to ensure consistent student support systems.
• Provide professional development related to social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and student support strategies.
• Participate in school committees, initiatives, and events that support a positive school climate and student success.
• Participate in district counseling/social work meetings and professional collaboration opportunities.
• Plan and organize two engaging DisOrientation weeks each school year—one at the start of the school year and one at the beginning of second semester—by coordinating logistics and collaborating with staff to create supportive opportunities that strengthen student communication, collaboration, academic readiness, and team-building skills.
• Plan and deliver weekly Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons to all high school students while monitoring and tracking student progress and completion.
• Coordinate and support monthly work-based learning opportunities, including career tours, college visits, and career readiness activities.
• Plan and teach a semester-long high school health and career prep class.
• Support students and staff with CEPA, internships, scholarships, college applications, FAFSA, and career/college readiness programming.
• Promote professionalism, ethical practices, and positive relationships within the school community.
• Support proctoring of school assessments and testing.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s preferred.
• Colorado Department of Education Counselor Endorsement (SSP) or actively enrolled in Counselor Master’s Degree program. Candidates can apply for Special Services Provider Stipend program if they wish.
• Preference to candidates will be given in the following order: Colorado Counseling SSP license holder, Master’s Degree in School Counseling (and SSP Intern Authorization applied for), actively enrolled in School Counseling Masters Program, and ability to obtain a Temporary Educator Eligibility License (TEE).
• Must be eligible for employment in the US and pass all background checks as required by LCSD.
• Experience working with and counseling students in a school setting is preferred.
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a variety of family situations is preferred.
• Experience with educational systems and practices are preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Logistics:

• Flexibly adapts to the needs of the school, students, and concerns.
• Contract work day will consist of 8 hours with a minimum of 30 continuous minutes per day of a duty free lunch
• 225 minutes per week for planning
• Student supervision duties will be required, such as lunch, gym, and weight room
• Student transportation will be required when needed
• Manage groups each day
• A work space will be provided; it may be shared, if needed
• Evaluated using CDE School Counseling Rubric