College & Career Counselor/Lead Counselor

Bunnell & Stratford High Schools Position Overview The College & Career Counselor/Lead Counselor serves as the primary advocate and advisor for high school students navigating post-secondary pathways. This leadership role combines comprehensive college and career counseling with administrative oversight of the schools' counseling department and coordination of all Dual Enrollment programs. The Lead Counselor collaborates closely with building administration, faculty, community partners, and higher education institutions to foster a college-going culture and ensure equitable access to post-secondary opportunities for all students. The counselor in this position will NOT have an assigned caseload of students. Primary Responsibilities College Counseling & Advising Develop and maintain a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with ASCA National Model standards. Guide students through all aspects of the college application process, including selection, applications, essays, financial aid (FAFSA/CSS), scholarships, and admissions decisions. Conduct individual and group counseling sessions focused on academic planning, career exploration, and post-secondary readiness. Coordinate and host college representative visits, college fairs, financial aid nights, and career panels. Advise students on four-year, two-year, technical/trade, military, and workforce pathways as appropriate. Monitor application deadlines and ensure students receive timely support and follow-through. Career Development & Exploration Administer and interpret career assessments to support individual student planning. Develop and deliver career exploration programming, including job shadowing, internship coordination, and workforce partnerships. Collaborate with local businesses, community colleges, and technical schools to expand career-connected learning opportunities. Support the development and implementation of Individual Student Success Plans (ISSPs) for all students. Coordinate Work-Based Learning experiences, including CTE pathways, apprenticeships, and cooperative education programs. Dual Enrollment Coordination Serve as the primary liaison between the high school and all partner colleges and universities for dual enrollment programs. Manage all aspects of dual enrollment administration, including student eligibility, enrollment, credit transfer, tuition waivers, and articulation agreements. Communicate dual enrollment policies, procedures, and opportunities to students, families, and faculty. Track and maintain accurate dual enrollment records; report data to district administration and state as required. Collaborate with department heads and college faculty to align course offerings and ensure academic rigor. Counsel students on the academic demands of college-level coursework and ensure informed consent and readiness. Stay current on state dual enrollment legislation, funding mechanisms, and eligibility requirements. Head Counselor / Departmental Leadership Provide instructional and programmatic leadership for the school counseling department. Coordinate master schedule development in partnership with administration to ensure equitable course access for all students. Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the comprehensive school counseling program. Prepare and present data-driven reports on student achievement, post-secondary outcomes, and counseling program effectiveness. Manage the counseling department budget and resources in collaboration with the principal. NCAA Coordination Serve as the NCAA Coordinator for both schools. Manage NCAA course approval processes. Ensure eligible coursework is properly submitted to the NCAA Clearinghouse. Oversee transcript uploads for student-athletes pursuing Division I and Division II athletics opportunities in collaboration with counseling secretaries and school counselors. Minimum Qualifications Education Master's degree in School Counseling or a related field from an accredited institution Certification Valid state School Counselor certification/licensure (required) Experience Minimum 3-5 years of experience as a school counselor, preferably at the secondary level