High School Counselor - Georgia Connections Academy

Position Summary

Working from our office in Duluth, Georgia, or from your home in Georgia, the High School Counselor will assist students and parents/learning coaches with course selection, scheduling and will be the initial point of contact for student concerns that span multiple subject areas as well as non-academic issues. All GACA staff must be able to participate in monthly in-person activities, including but not limited to:

• School and department meetings,
• Student engagement opportunities,
• Required training/development,
• School-level events, such as state testing and graduation.

The High School Counselor will be responsible for the successful completion of the following tasks:

• Assist students and families with successful transition into the program;
• Work with a diversity of students with special needs, including students with section 504 plans
• Follow up with students and families to ensure that they are staying on track and fulfilling the requirements of our school;
• Build relationships with students and families through email, phone calls, and in person when necessary;
• Proactively be able to troubleshoot and problem solve student and family issues and understand the proper channels of communication;
• Work with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources;
• Advise students and families related to academics, early college and career planning
• Assist students and parents with the school course selection process according to specific state credit requirements, postsecondary plans and student needs and interests;
• Advise students with issues related to dropping courses and changing schedules, seeking support as needed, while ensuring that the school’s course selection and drop policies are adhered to;
• Implement programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues;
• Participate in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school and serve as a key member of a multidisciplinary support team;
• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards. Stay abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation;
• Assist teachers when students enroll mid-semester, making sure that teachers receive guidance on integrating the students into their coursework, and ensuring that previous grades, credits, and evaluations are handled appropriately; And other duties as assigned.

Essential Responsibilities:

Instruction & Academic Support

• Support high-quality synchronous instruction and asynchronous resources aligned to GACA curriculum and state standards.
• Support differentiated Tier 1 instruction and collaborate within the MTSS/RTI model to plan and deliver Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions.
• Collaborate effectively with teachers and support staff to ensure all student accommodations are implemented with fidelity and aligned to individualized learning needs.
• Use assessment data to support student learning needs and instruction, monitor progress, and adjust strategies to ensure growth.
• Maintain deep knowledge of assigned courses and general awareness of K–12 curriculum pathways.

Student & Family Engagement

• Build strong, positive relationships with students and families to support academic success and engagement.
• Support parent conferences and Personal Learning Plans, and communicate regularly regarding progress, attendance, and needs.
• Support students with alternate lessons, assessments, and targeted instructional strategies to meet individualized learning goals.

Assessment & Accountability

• Support formative and summative assessments, including monthly progress monitoring, CFAs, and EOCs where applicable.
• Participate in all required Georgia state standardized assessments in-person and virtual sessions, including Georgia Milestones, ACCESS, Georgia Alternative Assessment, etc., in addition to End-of-Pathway, benchmarks, CFAs, and diagnostic assessments.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, communication logs, academic progress, and intervention documentation.

Collaboration & Professional Practice

• Work collaboratively within the Professional Learning Community to monitor data, plan instruction, and ensure student success.
• Partner with Teachers, Special Education staff, and team members to meet student needs and ensure strong communication loops.
• Support social, engagement, and community-building activities—both virtual and in-person—to cultivate belonging for students and families.
• Attend required school and district professional development and pursue ongoing growth in instructional practice.

Community Engagement & School Support

• Assist in the organization and facilitation of school-wide events (graduation, field trips, engagement activities).
• Participate in student recruitment efforts, marketing events, and family orientations as needed.
• Support the creation of a positive, inclusive virtual school culture through consistent communication, engagement, and community-building practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support school operations, strategic initiatives, and student success.

Essential Skills & Competencies

• Strong commitment to equitable practice, high expectations, and individualized student support
• Ability to use data to inform instruction and intervention
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Effective collaboration within virtual and in-person teams
• Strong organizational skills and timely completion of all required documentation
• Comfort with technology-based instruction and virtual learning tools
• Flexibility, problem-solving ability, and a student-centered mindset

QUALIFICATIONS:

Masters Degree or higher in Counselor Education/School Counseling (from an accredited institution)

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE

Georgia Clearance Certificate

Georgia Service Certificate in School Counseling

Requirements

• Possess a Georgia School Counseling certification
• Must have a Clearance Certificate through the Department of Education or be able to obtain one within the first 30 days of the first day of hire.
• Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Highly organized and punctual
• Student and family-focused approach
• Experience in teaching or supporting Title I schools
• High degree of flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
• Team player track record
• Strong interpersonal skills, which include the ability to work effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to travel for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)
• Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication