Lead Counselor, Secondary bei La Porte Independent School District

Position: Lead Counselor, Secondary

Location: La Porte High School

*This position will start January 2026.

Work with school faculty and staff, students, parents, and community to plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program at school assigned. Counsel students to fully develop each student’s academic, career, personal, and social abilities and address the needs of special population students.

Job Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in guidance counseling
• Valid Texas SBEC Counselor's certificate

Experience:

• Three years successful teaching experience
• Counselor experience preferred

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Individual Planning

1. Analyze student achievement, attendance, behavior, and post-secondary data to inform counseling practices and support continuous program improvement.
2. Academic Counselor for students as determined by LPHS administration follow all expectations for alpha counselor for these students.
3. Coordinator and support alpha counselors during one-on-one academic conferences in accordance with the LPISD Credit Verification Process.
4. Implement and support the individual student planning component by guiding individuals, groups of students, and parents or guardians, through the development of educational, college, career, personal, or social plans.
5. Ensure consistent implementation of the LPISD Credit Verification Process. Oversee documentation to verify that all students are on track for graduation.
6. Participate and evaluate the annual Senior Audit process alongside alpha counselors to confirm that all seniors are on track for graduation.
7. Support alpha counselors when guiding students and parents/guardians with the college application process as needed. This may include writing letters of recommendation, and completing school reports, and mid-year reports in a timely manner.
8. Provide individual college consultations with students and parents/guardians as needed.
9. Coordinate, support, and communicate with students and parents regarding secondary courses, programs, and opportunities during the course selection process.
10. Coordinate with intermediate campuses to ensure a successful transition which may include course selection presentations, course selection materials, and program application processes.
11. Attend all district meetings held for lead counselors.
12. Program coordinator for ACE and Dual Enrollment.
13. Coordinate ACE and Dual Credit parent informational sessions and campus ACE and Dual Credit enrollment process.
14. Work with campus administration to support college-related testing processes (i.e. SAT, PSAT, AP, TSIA).
15. Support alpha counselors in order to ensure all students have an up-to-date academic schedule that aligns with needed graduation requirements utilizing the current Student Management System.
16. Support alpha counselors in order to ensure all students and parents/guardians are aware of the LPISD promotion standards and notify students and parents/guardians of opportunities for success in summer school.
17. Work with administration to coordinate new to-district student enrollment process and forms for high school enrollment.
18. Work with alpha counselors and registrars to ensure new LPISD students have school records evaluated in order to determine appropriate course placement and to create a credit evaluation for LPISD transcript creation.
19. Work with administrators to develop a system for counseling students with failing grades and implementing plans for success.
20. Work with the Coordinator of Advanced Academics and Student Services to coordinate district college and career readiness events.
21. Collaborate with teachers, students, and parents/guardians during the four-year planning process.
22. Coordinate visits from college admissions counselors, military recruiters, and other outside agencies.
23. Coordinate grade-level informational sessions in order to provide parents/guardians with up-to-date information on graduation requirements and post-secondary opportunities.
24. Serve as a member of the campus SST in order to advocate for the needs of students.
25. Engage in continuous professional learning to stay current with best practices in school counseling, college and career readiness, and mental health support.

Guidance Curriculum

1. Develop, coordinate, and evaluate classroom guidance lessons by teaching the Texas Comprehensive School Counseling Program guidance curriculum components including Intrapersonal Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Personal Health and Safety, and Post-Secondary Education and Career Readiness.
2. Collaborate with and provide assistance to other school staff members who may facilitate guidance curriculum.
3. Follow district processes and procedures for guidance curriculum implementation as established by the Counseling and Student Services department.
4. Attend district guidance curriculum updates provided by the Counseling and Student Services Department to effectively facilitate district-required guidance lessons, as determined by the campus.

Responsive Services

1. Intervene on behalf of students whose immediate personal concerns or circumstances put their continued educational, personal, and social development at risk.
2. Consult with campus staff and parents/guardians regarding students who need continuing support toward their educational, personal, and social development.
3. Provide short-term skills-based individual counseling services to students.
4. Identify and provide community resources for stakeholders as needed.
5. Guide and support the campus during a critical incident while following the district’s critical incident response team protocol.
6. Conduct Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale and the district’s Violence Risk Interview according to procedures established by the Counseling and Student Services Department.

 System Support

1. Ensure all counseling-related service interactions with students (i.e., guidance lessons, groups, parent conferences, consultations, and meetings) are entered into the district-approved tracking system.
2. Utilize district-developed materials to train campus staff regarding Child Abuse, Trafficking, Maltreatment, Suicide Prevention, and Trauma-Informed/Sensitive Care.
3. Assist other campus staff in making referrals to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
4. Annually complete the district Comprehensive School Counseling Program document which highlights the manner in which your campus follows the four components of The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs and share it with counseling team members.
5. Annually create and share with parents/guardians a campus-specific Comprehensive School Counseling Program document highlighting the four program components of The Texas Model

Additional Responsibilities and Duties

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors and standards as set forth by The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs.
2. Collaborate and consult with all stakeholders to foster student educational, career, personal, and social development.
3. Maintain a positive and professional tone in all communication (i.e., email, written, and verbal).
4. Participate as an effective team member who contributes to district, department, and campus goals.
5. Ability to interpret and demonstrate knowledge of district and campus processes and procedures.
6. Demonstrate proficient levels of technology applications.
7. Perform other duties and accept other responsibilities as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment

• Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

  Motion: Frequent walking

  Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)

• Mental Demands:May work prolonged or irregular hours. Ability to communicate (verbal and written); ability to instruct; maintain emotional control under stress

Other Information: 

Apply online, attaching your resume and letter of interest to your application. Three references must be provided and must include your current building principal.

The District contributes $400/month to the cost of employee only health insurance, which is $175/month greater than the state required amount of $225/month.

Assignment:                                 11 Duty Months (210 Duty Days)

Pay Grade:                                   Professional, PG3

Minimum:   $68,727

Midpoint:    $81,871