Counselor

Job Duties

•    Follow clearly detailed and specific procedures IAW site Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or similar written directive provided by the Government

•    Determine and document clients’ education goals, develop individual education plans (IEP) to achieve those goals, and monitor progress toward those goals IAW AR and/or current written directives

•    Provide individual and group counseling sessions via face to face or electronic methods (e.g., live video/live chat, etc.) to authorized clients (counselor support services will be IAW current Army policy/program guidance, and other pertinent policy)

•    Document all counselor support sessions in clients' GoArmyEd education records in IAW AR 621-5 and/or current written directives

•    Provide information and advice on veterans’ education benefits IAW AR 621-5 and current written directives

•    Assist clients in completing requirements for admission into military schools or commissioning programs IAW AR 621-5 and/or current written directives

•    Assist clients with school admission applications, maximizing the use of Veterans' education benefits, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), scholarships, and other applications for student and financial aid IAW AR 621-5 and/or current written directives

•    Conduct briefings on ACES programs/services IAW AR 621-5 and/or current written directives

•    Facilitate enrollment in current and emerging ACES Programs in support of the Soldier Life Cycle IAW DoD, Army, and other regulatory guidance

•    Schedule appropriate tests and assessments, read and interpret results, and counsel clients to assess Soldier readiness to participate in various ACES programs

•    Resolve queued Soldier GoArmyEd Customer Relation Management (CRM) cases

•    Prepare reports IAW DoD, Army and other regulatory guidance

•    Use ACES customer management systems, such as the Customer Management Tool (CMT)

•    Support special events as requested by ESO (i.e. college fairs, graduation, etc.)

•    Assist clients in calculating promotion points and preparing promotion point memorandums

•    Maintain personal work area/office in a clean, neat, professional, and orderly manner

•    Ensure computers and peripherals are clean and operational

•    Provide education transition counseling to meet the interests and needs of transitioning Soldiers and Families

•    The primary tool for counselors performing education counseling duties shall be Go Army Ed. Go Army Ed resources shall be utilized at all 1-on-1 counseling sessions

Transition counseling shall include:

•    Assisting in the establishment of education goals and development of individual education plans in support of stated career goals

•    Analyzing and interpreting test data and capability and/or needs assessments for application to individual educational plans

•    Assisting with school admission applications, Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), Post 9-11 GI Bill, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), scholarship, and other applications for student and financial aid

•    Maximizing the use of veterans’ education benefits, scholarships, and other means of meeting stated goals

Security Requirements

Candidates must be able to obtain a National Agency Check with Inquiries and a Department of Defense Common Access Card in order to gain access to Government installations and Government information systems. Possess a minimum of one-year relevant experience. Possess a working knowledge of Microsoft office programs/computer operations and be able to use online education systems such as GoArmyEd.  

Education Requirements

At a minimum, candidates must possess the following: a bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The degree shall include or be supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in one or a combination of the following with at least one course from either one or more fields of study: Tests and measurements; Adult Education; Educational Program Administration; Curriculum Development or Design; Teaching Methods; Guidance and Counseling; Career Planning; and/or Occupational Information. 

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional environment located inside either an Army Education Center and/or a Soldier for Life Center depending on the Government’s request. These centers are located on either a Joint Base and/or Army installation. The Government provides contract employees possession and/or access to computers, phones, copy machines, and fax machines. 

Travel Requirements

This position may require little to no travel. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not require supervisory responsibilities.   

Physical Demands

Although no heavy lifting is required, candidates are required to stand for long periods of time while facilitating two-day higher education track classes. Otherwise, this position requires counselors to sit for long periods of time while conducting individual and follow-up counseling sessions for transitioning Service members. 

'This job is a civilian position and does not require military service (including commission and enlistment)'