Academic Counselor, Grades 9-12 (Tennessee)

Position Details

• Reporting Manager: Principal
• Status: Salary, Exempt
• Type: Regular, Full-Time (12 Months) - REMOTE (W2)
• Program: Tri-Star Virtual Academy (Tennessee)
• Location: Open to Tennessee Residents Only - Candidates outside of TN will not be considered. 

Overview
Stellar Virtual seeks a compassionate and experienced Academic Counselor to provide comprehensive counseling services tailored to high school students in grades 9-12 within our fully virtual learning environment. Operating remotely, the Academic Counselor will manage an assigned caseload of up to 300 students (1:300 maximum ratio), with collaboration and support from a part-time counselor. This role is central to supporting students' academic progress, graduation readiness, social-emotional development, and post-secondary success. 

Essential Duties

• Manage an assigned caseload of up to 300 high school students using digital platforms to track academic progress and maintain regular contact.
• Provide targeted virtual academic counseling, including transcript auditing, graduation planning and credit tracking, annual course scheduling, and post-secondary preparation for grades 9-12.
• Deliver responsive social-emotional support (SEL, mental health awareness, cyberbullying, and peer/family concerns) tailored to adolescents in a virtual environment.
• Develop and execute individualized academic support plans, monitor pacing and credit accumulation, interpret assessment results, and collaborate with teachers and families to keep students on track for graduation.
• Work closely with students, families, educators, and administrators to deliver proactive virtual advising, credit tracking, graduation planning, course scheduling, and readiness interventions.
• Guide high school students through each stage of the college application process, including college research, essay development, financial aid (FAFSA completion), and scholarships.
• Share comprehensive career and post-secondary pathway options (including vocational/technical tracks), assisting each student in building an actionable post-secondary plan aligned with goals.
• Plan, coordinate, and host virtual college and career fairs, financial aid workshops, and pathway events to broaden student awareness.
• Connect students and families with external community and mental health resources when additional support is needed.
• Keep parents and guardians consistently informed of academic standing, graduation milestones, and available resources through proactive digital outreach.
• Deliver mandatory in-person assistance during assessment sessions, which involves traveling across Tennessee as determined by testing sites and student enrollment.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• 3+ years as a school counselor, with demonstrated experience working directly with high school students (Grades 9-12).
• Proven experience counseling high school students in a virtual, online, or distance-learning environment is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in high school graduation planning, graduation requirements, credit tracking/auditing, course scheduling, and post-secondary pathways (FAFSA, college applications, scholarships).
• Experience managing a large student caseload is preferred.
• Experience in individual and group counseling for adolescents.
• Strong knowledge of adolescent development, academic advising, college/career counseling, and social-emotional learning (SEL) within a digital school model.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote setting.
• Minimum of 1–2 years of experience using the Google Workspace suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive) in a professional or academic setting.
• Access to a private, secure, high-speed internet connection with a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with a track record of clear digital correspondence.
• Proficient in counseling platforms, student information systems (SIS), and digital record-keeping technology.
• Empathetic, patient, and committed to student well-being and academic success.
• Tennessee residency is required; travel for in-person testing events.

Success Profile

• Student Advocacy & Empathy: Builds trust with high school students and families, responds with care, and proactively supports academic, social, and emotional needs during a critical transitional life phase.
• Proactive Problem Solving: Identifies student challenges early, takes initiative, and implements timely interventions using data and professional judgment to keep students on track for graduation.
• Collaborative Relationship Building: Works effectively with students, families, and Stellar Virtual staff to coordinate support and ensure student success in a 100% virtual environment.

Education & Certification Requirements

• A Master's degree in School Counseling or a closely related field is preferred; Bachelor's degree required. 
• A valid Tennessee School Counselor license (Endorsed for Grades 9-12).

Benefits & Incentives (Full-Time Only)

• Competitive vacation and paid time off plans
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with varying coverage for employees and their families, with options available in all states, including a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) option.
• 401(k) retirement plan (pre- and post-tax options) with matching contribution up to 3% after one year of employment
• Additional supplemental disability, life, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, legal aid, and ID theft protection plans
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 11 Company-paid Holidays

Employment "At-Will" Statement: For W-2 employment, Stellar Virtual is an at-will employer. This means the employee and Stellar Virtual can terminate the employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, as legally permitted. This job description does not guarantee continued employment or a contract. All 1099 status is excluded.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): Stellar Virtual is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.