Future Focus College & Readiness (FFCR) Counselor

The Future Focus College & Readiness (FFCR) Counselor is responsible for supporting students'' academic, social-emotional, and college and career readiness development, with a primary focus on ninth-grade students. The counselor provides direct counseling services, delivers classroom guidance lessons aligned to social-emotional learning (SEL) standards, collaborates with teachers and families, and facilitates programs that prepare students for success in high school, college, careers, and life beyond graduation.

Working collaboratively with administrators, teachers, parents, and community partners, the FFCR Counselor fosters a positive school climate that promotes student achievement, wellness, and future readiness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Student Counseling and Support

• Provide individual and small-group counseling to address students'' academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and personal needs.

• Develop intervention plans for students experiencing academic, attendance, behavioral, or social-emotional challenges.

• Maintain confidential student records in accordance with federal, state, and school regulations.

• Assist students in developing self-awareness, resilience, decision-making, and goal-setting skills.

• Participate in student support teams, MTSS, 504 meetings, and other collaborative problem-solving meetings as appropriate.

• Make referrals to community agencies and outside mental health providers when necessary.

Ninth Grade Social-Emotional Learning Instruction

• Develop and teach classroom guidance lessons specifically designed for ninth-grade students.

• Implement curriculum aligned with age-appropriate social-emotional learning competencies, including:

• Self-awareness

• Self-management

• Responsible decision-making

• Relationship skills

• Social awareness

• Deliver lessons focused on:

• High school transition

• Organization and study skills

• Stress management

• Healthy relationships

• Conflict resolution

• Digital citizenship

• Career exploration

• Goal setting and academic planning

Parent and Family Engagement

• Plan and facilitate parent workshops throughout the school year.

• Provide families with resources related to:

• High school success

• Adolescent development

• Social-emotional wellness

• College and career planning

• Postsecondary opportunities

• Communicate regularly with parents regarding student progress, interventions, and available support services.

• Collaborate with families to develop strategies that support student success.

Teacher Collaboration

• Partner with teachers to identify students requiring academic or social-emotional support.

• Provide consultation regarding classroom strategies and student interventions.

• Assist teachers in integrating social-emotional learning practices into classroom instruction.

• Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and student support meetings.

• Coordinate interventions that improve student engagement and achievement.

College and Career Readiness

• Support students in developing four-year academic plans.

• Assist students in exploring college, career, and workforce opportunities.

• Promote college awareness beginning in the ninth grade.

• Coordinate activities that expose students to postsecondary pathways.

• Collaborate with the FFCR Director to implement schoolwide college and career readiness initiatives.

Program Management

• Maintain accurate documentation of counseling services, classroom lessons, parent workshops, and student interventions.

• Analyze student data to identify trends and recommend proactive supports.

• Assist with planning and implementation of schoolwide initiatives promoting student success and wellness.

• Participate in summer programming, orientation activities, and transition events.

Qualifications

Education

• Master''s Degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field.

Licensure

• Valid North Carolina School Counselor License (or eligibility for licensure) preferred.

• Additional certifications related to social-emotional learning or college and career readiness are desirable.

Experience

• Experience working with high school students preferred.

• Experience providing classroom guidance instruction.

• Experience facilitating parent workshops and collaborating with educators.

• Knowledge of adolescent development and trauma-informed practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of social-emotional learning frameworks and adolescent development.

• Strong counseling, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and staff.

• Knowledge of college and career readiness programming.

• Strong organizational, planning, and documentation skills.

• Ability to analyze student data and implement targeted interventions.

• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered practices.

• Proficiency with student information systems and educational technology.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout the school campus.

• Ability to present instruction in classroom settings.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both individual and group settings.

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.

Work Schedule

This position is a 12-month professional assignment. Evening hours may be required for parent workshops, family engagement events, student programs, and other school-related activities.

Performance Responsibilities

Performance will be evaluated by the Director of Future Focus College & Readiness (FFCR) based on:

• Effectiveness of counseling services

• Student engagement and intervention outcomes

• Quality of classroom guidance instruction

• Parent workshop implementation

• Collaboration with faculty and staff

• Accuracy of documentation and reporting

• Contribution to school improvement goals

• Professionalism and adherence to district policies

Core Competencies

The FFCR Counselor will demonstrate:

• Student Advocacy

• Collaboration

• Cultural Responsiveness

• Professional Ethics

• Leadership

• Data-Informed Decision Making

• Family Engagement

• College and Career Readiness Leadership

• Social-Emotional Learning Facilitation

• Continuous Improvement

Mission of the Position

The Future Focus College & Readiness Counselor empowers every student to successfully navigate high school while developing the academic, social-emotional, and career readiness skills necessary to graduate prepared for college, careers, military service, and lifelong success.