High School Socioemotional Guidance Counselor

HIGH SCHOOL SOCIALEMOTIONAL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: 2026 - 2027

Start Date: August 17, 2026

The Preparatory Charter High School is a tuition-free, college preparatory schooling option for Philadelphia students in grades nine through twelve. Our mission is to promote a nurturing and challenging atmosphere where students will achieve high academic standards and develop essential career skills. We offer full support for English Language Learners,(ELL/ESL) and special education populations. One of the oldest charters in Philadelphia, our sound record for safety and education speaks for itself. We welcome the best candidates to become a part of our dynamic family.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a full-time inspired and dynamic educator to join our team and provide a top quality education for all of our students. Whether you are starting your teaching career or are looking to launch a new chapter, your passion and experience will be deeply valued and your opportunities for growth and impact will be limitless. Your natural talents will be fostered and we will provide the support to help you be an incredibly effective teacher. You will engage in a positive and professional workplace embedded in a warm, joyful, student-centered, and welcoming school culture.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and resourceful Socioemotional Counselor to serve students in the second half of our school alphabet. In this role, you will focus on attendance, student well-being, and connecting young people to the right support — both within our school community and through outside organizations. You will be a bridge-builder, advocate, and trusted presence for students who need guidance and care.

Key Responsibilities

Attendance Check-Ins & Screening

• Monitor and analyze attendance data to proactively identify students who may be struggling.
• Conduct individualized attendance check-ins, performing screening to assess the root causes of absenteeism and determine what level of support is needed.
• Develop and implement attendance improvement plans in collaboration with students, families, and school staff.

Student Check-Ins & Caseload Management

• Maintain an updated caseload of students receiving weekly or biweekly individual check-ins.
• Track focus areas and document goal progress for each student in a consistent and organized manner.
• Mediate student conflicts with empathy and a restorative approach, helping students develop communication and problem-solving skills.
• Manage ongoing communication with families, hospitals, and treatment centers for students experiencing extended absences, ensuring continuity of care and a smooth transition back to school upon return.

Beacon Alert Management

• Monitor and respond to Beacon alerts in a timely manner, following up with flagged students to provide appropriate support.

Community Resource Expertise

• Develop deep knowledge of both internal school resources and external community organizations.
• Serve as the go-to expert for connecting students and families to mental health services, food support, housing assistance, youth programs, and other resources.
• Maintain and regularly update a directory of partner organizations and referral pathways.
• Maintain accurate records of which students and families have been referred to each program or organization, including the date of referral, the nature of the support sought, and any known follow-up outcomes.
• Collaborate regularly with the Family Liaison to stay informed about organizations and community partners the school has established relationships with, ensuring referrals are warm, coordinated, and aligned with existing school-community connections.

Push-In Lessons

• Design and deliver engaging socioemotional learning (SEL) push-in lessons to 11th and 12th grade classrooms.
• 11th Grade: At least one (1) push-in lesson per semester
• 12th Grade: At least one (1) push-in lesson per quarter

MTSS Socioemotional Check-Ins

• Provide regular socioemotional check-ins for students identified through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, delivering targeted Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions as needed.
• Collaborate with the MTSS team to monitor student progress, adjust support levels, and maintain documentation of interventions and outcomes.

Administrative Collaboration

• Participate in biweekly meetings with school administration to share updates on student needs, attendance trends, and counseling program progress.
• Providing social, emotional, academic and college/career counseling
• Knowledge of the college application process, as well as financial aid.
• Providing referrals to/coordinating with outside mental health agencies to support

Student needs

• Identifying and providing services for students with serious mental health issues
• Working closely and communicating with parents and guardians when appropriate
• Providing classroom guidance lessons based on student needs and teacher input
• Managing the Child Study Team
• Writing and managing 504 plans
• Providing social, emotional, academic and college/career counseling
• Assisting in the development and implementation of the guidance curriculum for 9th through 12th
• Providing referrals to/coordinating with outside mental health agencies to support
• Scheduling and managing college representative visits
• Assisting attendance office with truancy program

Qualifications:

• PA Guidance Counselor Certification
• Successful experience in an urban setting
• Genuine interest, belief, and care for students’ personal and academic success
• The ability to motivate, support, and challenge students in a student-centered community
• Commitment to professional growth, self-reflection, receptiveness to feedback, and a desire to continuously improve
• A positive mindset and a drive for personal excellence
• A strong sense of professional responsibility as well as personal accountability for student success
• Solutions-oriented resiliency to respond positively and effectively to challenges
• Experience working in diverse settings and/or commitment to improving one’s own cultural competence

Required: Bachelor’ Degree

Certified PA Guidance Counselor

3 years experience in an Urban Setting

10 month position

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Pennsylvania School Counseling Certification (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,000 - $70,000