Guidance Counselor

Excelsior Prep Charter Schools are committed to fostering academic excellence, emotional well-being, and strong character development. The Guidance Counselor plays a central role in ensuring that every student receives the social-emotional, academic, and college-career support needed to thrive.

Position Summary

The K–8 Guidance Counselor provides comprehensive school counseling services supporting students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development. This role collaborates with teachers, families, administrators, and community partners to promote a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment.

Core responsibilities

• Student services
• Provide individual and small-group counseling for academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
• Support crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and restorative conversations.
• Deliver classroom lessons on character development, and college/career awareness.
• Monitor student progress and develop intervention plans when needed.

• Academic & mtss support
• Participate in MTSS problem-solving teams and support Tier 1–3 interventions.
• Assist with goal-setting, academic planning, and progress monitoring.
• Collaborate with teachers to identify student needs and implement supports.

• Family & community engagement
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress and support plans.
• Provide parent workshops on SEL, behavior, academic planning, and transitions.
• Coordinate referrals to community mental-health and social-service agencies.

• Compliance & documentation
• Participate in IEP, 504, and MTSS meetings as needed.
• Maintain accurate records of counseling services, interventions, and referrals.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines related to counseling services.

Qualifications

• Education
• Master’s degree required in School Counseling, Guidance & Counseling, or a related counseling field.

Florida certification requirements: Candidates must meet one of the following Florida Department of Education requirements:

Plan One

• Master’s degree in school counseling or guidance & counseling including 600 hours of supervised internship with school-aged students.

Plan Two

• Master’s degree in another counseling field plus 600 hours of supervised internship and 9 graduate credits in:
• Student appraisal & evaluation
• College & career planning
• Comprehensive school counseling program administration
• Consultation skills Applicants must also be assigned a certified school counselor mentor for the first two years.
• Passing required Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) for School Counseling.

• Experience
• Experience working with K–8 students in counseling, SEL, or behavioral support settings.
• Knowledge of MTSS, SEL frameworks, and trauma-informed practices preferred.

• Skills & competencies
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage crises calmly and effectively.
• Skilled in data-driven decision-making and progress monitoring.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive counseling.

• Work environment
• Full-time, school-based position serving grades K–8.
• Reports to the School Principal; collaborates with MTSS, ESE, and student-services teams.

• Compensation & benefits
• Competitive salary based on experience and credentials.
• Comprehensive benefits package.