Education

School Counselor Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

Copy-ready school counselor job description covering ASCA framework, social-emotional learning, college and career readiness, and crisis response duties for K-12 schools.

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Job Title: School Counselor – [Elementary / Middle / High School] Department: Student Services / Counseling Location: [School Name], [District Name], [City, State] Reports To: Principal / Director of Student Services / Dean of Students Employment Type: Full-Time, 10-Month / 12-Month Contract Caseload: Approximately [X] students About [School/District Name] [School Name] is a [public / private / charter / Title I] [elementary / middle / high] school serving [X] students in [community name]. Our comprehensive school counseling program is aligned with the ASCA National Model and MTSS framework. We are committed to the academic, social-emotional, and college and career development of every student. Our student support team includes [X] counselors, [X] social workers, and [X] psychologists. About the Role We are seeking a dedicated, compassionate School Counselor to deliver a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model. You will provide individual and group counseling, classroom guidance lessons, crisis intervention, and consultation services to students, families, and school staff. This role requires a commitment to equity, cultural responsiveness, and collaboration with the full student support team. Key Responsibilities • Design and implement a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model addressing academic, social-emotional, and college/career development domains • Provide individual and small-group counseling to students addressing academic concerns, social-emotional challenges, family issues, and mental health needs within the school counselor's scope of practice • Develop and deliver classroom guidance lessons on social-emotional learning (SEL), study skills, academic planning, conflict resolution, and [college/career readiness – for high school] • Conduct student risk assessments for self-harm, suicide, abuse, and safety concerns; follow mandatory reporting protocols and coordinate crisis response with administration and community mental health resources • Collaborate with teachers, administrators, special education staff, and families as part of MTSS and IEP/504 teams to support student success • Maintain accurate and confidential student counseling records in compliance with FERPA, HIPAA (where applicable), and district policies • Coordinate college application processes, FAFSA completion, scholarship searches, and post-secondary planning [for high school] • Facilitate transitions for incoming students (elementary to middle, middle to high school) and support students experiencing significant life transitions • Analyze student achievement and behavior data to identify systemic barriers and guide counseling program priorities and interventions • Consult with and provide psychoeducation for parents and guardians regarding student academic and social-emotional development Required Qualifications • Master's degree in School Counseling or Counseling Education from a CACREP-accredited program (preferred) • Valid state school counseling license/certification in [State] (required before start date) • [X]+ years of experience in school counseling or related student support role [new graduates welcome if applicable] • Knowledge of the ASCA National Model, MTSS framework, and developmental counseling theory • Strong crisis intervention skills and knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements Nice to Have • National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential • Experience with [student information system, e.g., PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, Skyward] • Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish, [other language relevant to student population]) • Training in evidence-based SEL programs (Second Step, MindUP, or similar) What We Offer • Salary: $50,000 – $80,000/year based on experience and district salary schedule (2026 benchmark) • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits • State pension / retirement plan • Generous paid time off including school holidays • Professional development funding and support for NCSC certification • Collaborative student support team and strong administrative leadership • Meaningful work with a direct impact on student wellbeing and success Salary Range: $50,000 – $80,000/year (US, 2026 benchmark) [School/District Name] is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and student success. Background check required.

How to customize this school counselor job description

1. Specify grade level and student population clearly

Elementary, middle, and high school counselors have fundamentally different roles. College and career readiness dominates high school counseling while SEL and developmental support are central at the elementary level. Your student population demographics — including whether your school is Title I, serves English language learners, or has a high proportion of students with IEPs — signals the complexity and cultural competency requirements of the role.

2. State the counselor-to-student ratio

ASCA recommends a maximum 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio. Experienced school counselors immediately assess caseload when evaluating positions. If your ratio is at or below the ASCA recommendation, lead with that — it is a significant differentiator. If your ratio is above 1:350, be transparent about support structures (social workers, psychologists, community partners) that offset the higher caseload. Hiding unfavorable ratios leads to rapid turnover.

3. Be honest about crisis response expectations

School counselors in many districts serve as primary responders for student mental health crises, suicidality, abuse disclosures, and threat assessments. The emotional demands of high-crisis environments significantly affect counselor burnout and retention. Be transparent about the mental health landscape of your student population, your crisis response protocols, and the clinical supervision and peer support structures available to counselors. This attracts resilient, well-prepared candidates and reduces early departures.

4. Highlight your counseling program model and administrative support

Schools with a fully implemented ASCA National Model, well-defined counseling program advisory committee, and protected counseling time (no lunch duty, hallway monitoring, or test proctoring) are significantly more attractive to professional school counselors. If your administration shields counselors from non-counseling duties that dilute program effectiveness, state it explicitly. This signals that your school values the counseling role and empowers counselors to do the work they were trained to do.

School counselor salary range in 2026 (US)

Base salary benchmarks for school counselors. Salary is typically determined by district salary schedules based on experience and education level. High-cost districts in California, New Jersey, and Connecticut pay significantly above the national median.

LevelExperienceBase Salary RangeTypical Requirements
Entry-Level Counselor0–3 years$45,000 – $58,000MEd School Counseling, state licensure, ASCA knowledge
Experienced Counselor4–8 years$58,000 – $68,000Crisis intervention, MTSS experience, group counseling
Senior Counselor9+ years$68,000 – $80,000NCSC credential, department leadership, mentoring
High-Cost DistrictAny$72,000 – $100,000+CA, NJ, CT, NY, WA districts with strong CBAs

Frequently asked questions

What should a school counselor job description include? +

A school counselor JD should include the grade level and school type, the counselor-to-student ratio, ASCA National Model or other program framework, primary counseling domains, crisis response and mandatory reporting responsibilities, state licensure requirements, individual and group counseling expectations, college application support (high school), and any specialized duties such as 504 coordination, IEP team participation, or MTSS support.

What is the average school counselor salary in 2026? +

School counselor salaries in the US in 2026 range from $45,000 for entry-level counselors in lower-cost districts to $80,000+ in high-cost metros. Entry-level counselors (0–3 years) earn $45,000–$58,000. Mid-career counselors (4–8 years) earn $58,000–$68,000. Senior counselors (9+ years) earn $68,000–$80,000+. California, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and Washington districts with strong collective bargaining agreements consistently pay above $80,000 for experienced counselors.

How do I write a school counselor JD that attracts top candidates? +

Describe your counseling program model (ASCA National Model), student population, counselor-to-student ratio, and available support resources. Be honest about crisis response expectations and the mental health landscape of your student population. Highlight mentoring from experienced counselors, protected counseling time (free from non-counseling duties), professional development funding, and the collaborative culture of your student support team. Schools that protect counselors from test proctoring, lunch duty, and administrative tasks attract more qualified candidates.

Can I use this template in my ATS? +

Yes. Paste this template into Treegarden or your existing ATS, customize the grade level, state licensure, and program model details, and publish to education job boards, LinkedIn, and state education job portals. Treegarden supports certification-based screening questions that filter for state school counseling licensure automatically. Plans start at $299/month for unlimited users.

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