Counselor- Incarnate Word High School

Description

Incarnate Word High School, an all-girls Catholic high school, a sponsored Ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, seeks a Full-Time Counselor for the 2026-2027 school year. Candidate must have current licensure. The school seeks to maintain a fully and authentically Catholic environment.  

REPORTS TO:

This position reports to the Principal of Incarnate Word High School (IWHS). 

JOB SUMMARY:

A counselor in the IWHS Counseling department works collaboratively with the Senior Director of Counseling Services to support the mission of the school by providing a comprehensive, developmental counseling program that, through the model of pastoral care, participates with the whole school, to support the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) mission and the evangelizing mission of the Church. 

The School Counselor implements a comprehensive, developmental guidance and counseling program aligned to the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs and the ASCA National Model, while fully integrating the Catholic mission and CCVI charism of Incarnate Word High School.

The counselor supports academic achievement, college and career readiness, and social-emotional development through a data-driven, student-centered program that ensures all students are prepared for postsecondary success and responsible Christian leadership.

The counselor delivers services across the four TEA/ASCA domains:

1. Guidance Curriculum (Tier 1 – Schoolwide) 
2. Responsive Services (Tier 2 & 3 – Targeted/Individual) 
3. Individual Planning (College, Career, Graduation Plans) 
4. System Support (Program Management & Collaboration)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Guidance Curriculum (TEA Domain I)

Design and deliver a structured counseling curriculum that supports:

• Academic success and goal setting 
• College, career, and military readiness 
• Social-emotional competencies (self-management, resilience, decision-making) 
• Faith formation consistent with CCVI charism 

Key Actions:

• Deliver classroom lessons aligned to TEKS-based counseling standards 
• Provide instruction on: 
  • Study skills and time management 
  • Digital citizenship 
  • College and career awareness

2. Responsive Services (TEA Domain II)

Provide immediate and short-term counseling support to address student needs:

• Individual counseling (short-term, solution-focused) 
• Small group counseling (grief, anxiety, academic support, etc.) 
• Crisis response and risk assessment (suicide, abuse, trauma) 
• Referral to community mental health services when appropriate 

Key Actions:

• Maintain documentation aligned with ethical/legal standards 
• Collaborate with administration on student safety and intervention plans 
• Serve as a mental health advocate within the school 

3. Individual Planning (TEA Domain III)

Guide students in developing and monitoring Personal Graduation Plans (PGPs) and postsecondary readiness pathways.

Key Actions:

• Academic advising (course selection aligned to endorsements) 
• College and career planning using platforms such as Naviance 
• Assist with: 
  • College applications 
  • FAFSA/TASFA completion 
  • Scholarships and financial aid 
• Interpret student data (grades, assessments, PSAT/SAT/AP results) 

4. System Support (TEA Domain IV)

Support the effectiveness of the school counseling program through leadership, collaboration, and program management.

Key Actions:

• Collaborate with faculty, administration, and parents 
• Coordinate standardized testing: 
  • PSAT, SAT, AP exams, NWEA, and ARK 
• Participate in campus improvement planning 
• Use data to evaluate program effectiveness and close achievement gaps 
• Provide parent education sessions and workshops 

CATHOLIC MISSION INTEGRATION

• Uphold and model the teachings of the Catholic Church 
• Integrate faith into counseling practices and student formation 
• Support the evangelizing mission of the Church      
• Promote service, dignity of the person, and moral decision-making

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES

Collaboration

• Work with teachers to support student achievement 
• Consult with parents regarding academic and emotional development 
• Coordinate with community agencies for student support services 

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Analyze student performance data to inform interventions 
• Monitor progress toward graduation and college readiness benchmarks 

Ethics and Compliance

o Adhere to: 

• Texas Education Code 
• FERPA regulations 
• ASCA ethical standards 
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensure: Valid Texas Standard School Counselor Certification issued by the Texas Education Agency (Required) 
• Minimum of three (3) years of secondary counseling experience preferred 
• Must pass archdiocesan Safe Environment Requirements and background screening
• Must pass Texas DPS Fingerprint-based Applicant Clearinghouse screening

Knowledge of: 

• Texas graduation requirements (Foundation + Endorsements) 
• College readiness standards (TSIA2, SAT/ACT, FAFSA) 
• Social-emotional learning frameworks 
• Technology: Proficient in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and internet use for educational purposes and multimedia presentations

Experience: 

• A minimum of three years’ high school counseling experience is required; at least one year of counseling in a Catholic school is preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of adolescent development 
• Crisis intervention and risk assessment skills 
•  Ability to analyze and interpret academic and behavioral data 
• Effective communication with diverse stakeholders 
• Organizational and multitasking capacity 
• Proficiency with student information systems and counseling platforms 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Required to work a standard five-day work week
• Required to work some nights and weekends for events
• Required to work in standard classroom, office, and school conditions

MENTAL/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Required to manage high to moderate levels of stress
• Frequent sitting, standing, and computer use 
• Ability to respond to crisis situations calmly 
• Required to lift or carry supplies, textbooks, furniture, and equipment
• Required to maintain composure and avoid inappropriate displays of anger
• Required to sit, stand, bend, stoop, reach, grab, pull, hear, see, and speak daily
• Required to perform repetitive physical tasks such as computer keyboarding, writing, and reading
• Required to monitor students in a variety of locations, including those with noise, activity, and inclement conditions