About Our Organization: 

The Norman Howard School was established in 1980 by parents and community professionals, and is a nonprofit, NYSED-approved, 12:1:1, academic, special education program. Students grades 5-12 from over 30 school districts experience a rich and diverse school culture, learn strategies for managing their special learning needs, and graduate alongside their public school peers.

Job Summary: 

The School Counselor at The Norman Howard School supports high school students and their families in a special education setting by guiding academic, career, and post-secondary planning while ensuring progress toward graduation requirements. This role delivers a transition curriculum focused on career readiness, self-advocacy, and life skills, and assists students with college and vocational planning, including applications, financial aid, and accommodations. The counselor collaborates with staff and external partners, manages scheduling and credit tracking, supports CSE processes, and coordinates transition events, field experiences, and standardized testing, while maintaining strong communication with families and engaging in the school community.

Job Responsibilities: 

• Counsel students in the special education setting with academic, career & college goals.
• Develop & implement transition curriculum and related activities to include career interest inventories, career awareness resources, job skill development, transferable skills, academic & post-secondary related skills, self-advocacy, and goal setting. Transition curriculum delivered across high school grade levels in “push in” format.
• Collect and maintain college/vocational/career resource materials for use by students. Assist students in college searches and completion of applications, financial aid/scholarships, and students with disabilities information.
• Act as NHS liaison with ACCES VR, school district counselors/transition coordinators, and BOCES. Attend counseling & transition-related meetings monthly.
• Ensure secondary students are accumulating and earning necessary credits and coursework towards graduation.
• Consult and collaborate with staff regarding students’ academic, social-emotional needs, strategies, and management plans
• Attend CSE meetings for students in grades 9-12.
• Develop a master schedule, in collaboration with administration, and maintain class schedules for all students, ensuring compliance with graduation requirements.
• Plan and host transition-related events for students to learn about different careers through panel discussions and guest speakers.
• Plan and host scholarship/financial aid information night for parents of high school students.
• Develop and issue a transition newsletter for parents and students.
• Coordinate and chaperone students on visits to BOCES, colleges, career-related field trips and ACCES VR.
• Provide SAT/ACT information, registration and administration. Ensure that test accommodations are provided. Act as proctor for special tests.
• Maintain professional competence and skills through a variety of experiences including in-service education, consultation with administration and colleagues, independent study, membership in professional organizations and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Participate in school sponsored activities and events.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Ability to maintain professional confidentiality concerning individual student data and achievement.
• Maintain a high level of professional integrity.
• Knowledge of NYS graduation pathways and requirements
• Demonstrate good interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills needed to handle behavioral situations and to work effectively with colleagues/parents/guardians on student issues.
• Organizational, time management, and planning skills.
• Knowledge of special education, including accommodations in educational settings.
• Demonstrate excellent written communication skills.
• Ability to be flexible in interpreting and addressing student needs.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in Social Work or related field
• NYS School Counselor certification
• Able to work flexible hours to accommodate parent/guardian meetings, school activities, and other mandated events/meeting.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Nationally certified School Counselor. 
• Work-based learning coordinator extension.
• Five years prior counseling experience at high school level including working with individuals with a variety of learning profiles and needs. 

Salary:

• $52,472-$66,547/year based on experience. 

Employee Benefits:

• NHS offers generous paid time off: school breaks, holidays, PTO, NYS Paid Sick Leave
• 6% employer-match for retirement savings, upon hire
• Healthcare plans for individuals starting at $0
• HSA with employer contributions

Commitment to DEI: 

It is our pledge to nourish an organizational culture which strives to:

• Embrace diversity in all forms and structure policies and practices to increase representation of qualified individuals who reflect the communities we serve
• Prioritize equity in employment, compensation, promotion, and professional development
• Increase access to quality services, educational and economic opportunities, and lifelong success for students and families
• Value the unique backgrounds and experiences of each person we employ and serve
• Cultivate a work environment where all people feel safe to express ideas

Keywords:

• transition counselor, high school counselor, special education counselor, school based counselor