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School Counseling Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Supervises and mentors school counselors and ensures the effective utilization of staff and resources. Essential Job Functions : * Manages the daily activities of the school counseling department at ...

Master's degree in school counseling AND current ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Counseling Endorsement Reports to: Principal Evaluated by: Principal PRIMARY FUNCTION As vital ...

Master's degree in school counseling AND current ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Counseling Endorsement Reports to: Principal Evaluated by: Principal PRIMARY FUNCTION As vital ...

Master's degree in school counseling AND current ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Counseling Endorsement Reports to: Principal Evaluated by: Principal PRIMARY FUNCTION As vital ...

Requirements: Master's degreein school counseling AND current ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) witha School Counseling Endorsement Reports to: Principal Evaluated by: Principal ...

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School Counseling information

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$22.5K

$60.4K

$96K

How much do school counseling jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for school counseling in the United States is $60,409.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,000.00 and $69,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a school counselor?

School counselors are trained professionals who work in educational settings to support students’ academic, career, social, and emotional development. They provide guidance on course selection, college applications, and career exploration, as well as help students navigate personal and social challenges. School counselors also collaborate with teachers, families, and administrators to create a safe and supportive learning environment. Their goal is to help all students succeed academically and develop the skills necessary for lifelong learning and well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a school counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a School Counselor, you need a background in counseling or psychology, often requiring a master's degree and state certification or licensure. Familiarity with student information systems, counseling software, and assessment tools is important for effective student support and record-keeping. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and cultural competence help build trust and rapport with diverse students and families. These skills and qualifications are crucial for promoting students' academic, social, and emotional well-being in a school environment.

What are some common challenges school counselors face when supporting students, and how can they effectively address them?

School counselors often encounter challenges such as managing high caseloads, addressing diverse student needs, and balancing administrative tasks with direct student support. To effectively address these challenges, counselors prioritize time management, utilize data-driven strategies to identify at-risk students, and collaborate closely with teachers, parents, and community resources. Ongoing professional development and establishing strong communication channels within the school also help counselors provide comprehensive support and make a positive impact.

What is the difference between School Counseling vs School Psychology?

AspectSchool CounselingSchool Psychology
Required CredentialsMaster's in School Counseling, state certificationMaster's or Doctorate in School Psychology, state certification
Work EnvironmentElementary, middle, high schools; focus on academic, career, and social-emotional supportSame school settings; focus on mental health assessments and psychological interventions
Employer & Industry UsagePublic and private schools, educational agenciesPublic schools, school districts, mental health agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, certifications, and responsibilitiesDistinguishing between mental health and academic support roles

School counseling and school psychology share similar environments and certifications but differ mainly in focus. School counselors primarily support students' academic, career, and social-emotional needs, while school psychologists focus on mental health assessments and psychological interventions. Both roles are vital in educational settings, but their specific functions and training differ to meet distinct student needs.

Is it hard to get hired as a school counselor?

Getting hired as a school counselor can be competitive, often requiring a master's degree in school counseling or a related field, along with state certification or licensure. Strong interpersonal skills, relevant experience, and a good understanding of student needs can improve job prospects, but demand varies by region and school district.

Is there a shortage of school counselors?

School counseling is experiencing a nationwide shortage due to increased student mental health needs and retirements among current counselors. This has led to higher demand for qualified school counselors, often resulting in staffing challenges in many districts. Strong communication and counseling skills, along with relevant certifications, are important for those entering the field.

What else can I do with a school counseling degree?

A school counseling degree can qualify you for roles such as school counselor, mental health counselor, or college counselor. It also provides a foundation for careers in student advocacy, educational administration, or community outreach, often requiring additional certifications or licenses. Skills in communication, assessment, and crisis intervention are valuable across these fields.
More about School Counseling jobs

What cities are hiring for School Counseling jobs?

Cities with the most School Counseling job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of School Counseling jobs?

The most popular types of School Counseling jobs are:

What states have the most School Counseling jobs?

States with the most job openings for School Counseling jobs include:

Infographic showing various School Counseling job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,409 per year, or $29 per hour.

School Counseling Manager

Memphis, TN

Gestalt Community Schools
Education Programs Administration • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Description

Location: Memphis, TN 

Job Type: Full-Time 

Reports To: Director of Social Services 

Gestalt Community Schools (GCS) seeks an experienced, scholar-centered School Counseling Manager to support the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of school counseling and social-emotional learning (SEL) programming across the network. The School Counseling Manager will support the oversight of counseling services while providing school counselors with ongoing coaching, professional learning, and direct implementation support. 

The Manager will maintain a strong school-based presence through weekly site visits, observation of services, file audits, and actionable feedback to counselors. This role will collaborate with school and network teams, monitor program data, and support compliance with applicable state and federal requirements related to counseling services and mandated reporting. 

Key Responsibilities 

School Counseling & SEL Program Implementation 

  • Support the oversight and implementation of network-wide school counseling and SEL programming to ensure cohesion, quality, and efficiency. 
  • Execute network strategies and initiatives related to school counseling and SEL services. 
  • Support consistent implementation of counseling programs, practices, and expectations across schools. 
  • Partner with the Director of Social Services to identify program priorities and areas requiring additional support. 
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen counseling and SEL services based on scholar and school needs. 

Counselor Coaching & Professional Learning 

  • Execute the network strategy for ongoing professional learning and coaching support for School Counselors. 
  • Provide regular coaching, feedback, resources, and implementation support to counselors. 
  • Conduct weekly school site visits to observe counseling services provided to scholars. 
  • Provide timely, actionable feedback based on observations, data, file reviews, and implementation of key strategies and initiatives. 
  • Identify individual and network-wide professional development needs and support delivery of aligned learning opportunities. 
  • Promote collaboration and sharing of effective practices among School Counselors. 

Program Monitoring & Quality Assurance 

  • Conduct regular file audits to assess documentation, program implementation, and adherence to established requirements. 
  • Monitor implementation of key school counseling and SEL strategies and initiatives. 
  • Identify gaps in services, documentation, or implementation and provide targeted support for improvement. 
  • Establish consistent follow-up processes to ensure identified areas of concern are addressed. 
  • Support schools in maintaining high-quality and consistent counseling practices. 

Compliance & Scholar Safety 

  • Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations related to school counseling services, mandated reporting, and related requirements. 
  • Monitor counseling practices and documentation to support compliance and accountability. 
  • Provide guidance and support to School Counselors regarding required procedures and expectations. 
  • Escalate significant compliance or scholar safety concerns to the Director of Social Services and other appropriate leaders. 
  • Maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional standards when handling sensitive scholar information. 

Collaboration & School Support 

  • Collaborate with school and network staff to ensure effective implementation of programs and initiatives under the school counseling services umbrella. 
  • Build strong working relationships with School Counselors, school leaders, and other scholar-support professionals. 
  • Partner with school teams to identify scholar needs and strengthen coordination of counseling and SEL supports. 
  • Support alignment between counseling services and broader network social services programming. 

Data & Continuous Improvement 

  • Monitor counseling, SEL, scholar, and program data to evaluate effectiveness and identify trends. 
  • Use data and observations to adjust coaching, professional learning, and implementation support. 
  • Track implementation of key strategies and initiatives across schools. 
  • Provide the Director of Social Services with regular updates regarding program implementation, counselor support needs, and emerging trends. 
  • Recommend adjustments to programming based on data, observations, and school needs. 

Key Competencies 

  • School Counseling & Scholar Support 
  • Coaching & Talent Development 
  • Social-Emotional Learning 
  • Compliance & Accountability 
  • Scholar Safety & Confidentiality 
  • Data-Driven Decision Making 
  • Program Monitoring 
  • Relationship Building 
  • Communication & Collaboration 
  • Problem Solving 
  • Attention to Detail 
  • Continuous Improvement 

Work Environment 

  • Network-level role requiring significant school-based presence and interaction with School Counselors, school leaders, and network staff. 
  • Requires weekly site visits to observe services, review documentation, and provide coaching and feedback. 
  • Requires handling confidential and sensitive scholar information with discretion and professionalism. 
  • Requires the ability to respond appropriately to concerns involving mandated reporting, scholar safety, and counseling services. 
  • Will require participation in professional learning, school meetings, and scholar-support activities outside regular school hours. 

Requirements

Required Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in school counseling, education, psychology, social services, or a related field. 
  • Certification/licensure in school administration and/or school counseling. 
  • Three (3) to five (5) years of relevant professional experience. 
  • Significant administrative experience in K-12 education supporting scholars in underserved communities. 
  • Demonstrated knowledge of school counseling practices and scholar support systems. 
  • Knowledge of applicable state and federal requirements related to counseling services and mandated reporting. 
  • Strong coaching, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills. 
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze data and observations to identify areas for program and staff improvement. 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Master's degree in school counseling, education, educational leadership, psychology, or a related field. 
  • Experience coaching, supervising, or developing School Counselors. 
  • Experience supporting counseling or SEL programming across multiple schools. 
  • Experience conducting program reviews, file audits, or compliance monitoring.Â