Position Announcement

Secondary School Counselor (9-12)

__________________________________________________________

Idaho Home Learning Academy (IHLA)  |  Full-Time, Remote  |  Grades 9-12

Position Summary

Idaho Home Learning Academy (IHLA) is seeking a highly motivated High School Counselor to join our team in a full-time remote position. Due to the virtual nature of our school, this role focuses primarily on academic student support, individual student planning, and system support rather than traditional guidance curriculum or responsive services. The counselor will support students in the areas of college entrance testing, four-year planning, course scheduling, graduation progress, credit recovery, and summer school. This role also involves extensive work within our student management system, maintaining detailed records related to student schedules, course offerings, and the master schedule. The ideal candidate works well as part of a remote team, communicates with clarity and warmth, and manages their own workflow with a high degree of professionalism and initiative. This role involves frequent, meaningful interaction with teachers, counselors, students, parents, and colleagues across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Support conversations about exams related to college entrance tests and CLEP
• Support high school orientation for incoming 9th-grade students.
• Conduct individual graduation progress meetings for all 11th-grade students in the assigned caseload.
• Attend IEP, 504, EL, and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) meetings, ensuring student needs are being met and that they have appropriate courses scheduled.
• Coordinate and facilitate all 504 meetings, including managing associated documentation and paperwork in accordance with school policy and legal requirements in the assigned caseload.
• Conduct 4-year planning using web-based student scheduling and planning systems, including PowerSchool and Naviance.
• Advise students on post-high school plans and Advanced Opportunities.
• Establish quality relationships via phone, email, and Zoom to build rapport with students, families, and other stakeholders.
• Advise students and families on academics, career planning, and progress toward graduation.
• Assist students and families with course selection in accordance with state credit requirements, taking students' needs and interests into account.
• Advise students on dropping courses and changing schedules in accordance with school policy.
• Work with school teams to identify and connect students with school and community resources.
• Report, document, and refer critical issues regarding student well-being as required by law and ethical standards.
• Ensure accurate enrollment of new students by evaluating prior coursework and completing transcript reviews, credit transfers, and grade placements.
• Assist students with scholarship applications, college applications, and FAFSA.
• Work intensively with all seniors and early-graduation candidates to verify that all graduation requirements are met. Closely monitor these students' progress and intervene as needed to keep them on track for timely completion.
• Assist other counselors in planning school-wide activities.
• Support school-sponsored student activities and programs, which may include the E-Sports program, National Honor Society, and National History Day. Some activities may occur outside the regular school day.
• Contribute to intensive annual data projects, including the analysis and reporting of student performance and program effectiveness for school improvement and strategic planning.
• Attend in-person school events throughout the year, which may require overnight travel. Events may include fall kick-off, monthly activities, statewide graduation ceremonies, and more.
• Understand and implement IHLA policies and procedures.
• Meet professional obligations by maintaining efficient work habits, including meeting critical deadlines, adhering to a rigorous work schedule, managing resources, and attending meetings in a timely and effective manner.
• Possibly facilitate small study-skills or social-skills development groups.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Idaho certification in School Counseling
• Master's degree or higher
• Preference given to applicants residing in Idaho
• Strong technology skills, especially with Google Suite
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Family-focused approach with strong relationship-building ability
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• High degree of flexibility and ability to self-manage in a fast-paced remote environment
• Team player with demonstrated collaborative skills
• Keen ability and willingness to learn new technology-based programs as needed
• Professional home workspace free from distractions, with dependable internet access
• Ability to remain visible on camera during all virtual meetings; counselors may be in Zoom meetings for five or more hours per day
• Availability to work a standard schedule of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday (Mountain Time). Friday training is required regularly throughout the year
• Willingness to work evening hours on occasion for student orientations or parent informational meetings
• Willingness to travel for in-person school events, which may require overnight stays
• A computer will be provided. Employees working remotely must supply their own phone and internet service

Work Environment & Other Information

This is a full-time remote position. Candidates must maintain a dedicated home office free of distractions during the workday. Reliable high-speed internet access is required. Applicants are not allowed to contract with another school district or public charter school. The documents below may help you understand current policy and processes for IHLA High School.

• Student and Parent Handbook
• Teacher/Staff Member Handbook