Position Summary
The High School Counselor/Dual Enrollment Coordinator at Royal Live Oaks Academy provides a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes academic achievement, college and career readiness, and social-emotional development for all students. The counselor serves as an advocate for students while fostering a positive, safe, and inclusive learning environment that supports the mission and vision of Royal Live Oaks Academy.
This position provides individual and group counseling services, assists students in meeting graduation requirements, develops Individual Graduation Plans (IGPs), and guides students through postsecondary planning. The counselor also serves as the school's Dual Enrollment Coordinator, collaborating with students, families, faculty, and partnering colleges and universities to ensure students have access to rigorous college-level opportunities while maintaining compliance with Charter Institute at Erskine, South Carolina Department of Education, and partner institution requirements.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesAcademic Planning and Student Success
- Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and the South Carolina Comprehensive School Counseling Model.
- Assist students in developing, reviewing, and updating Individual Graduation Plans (IGPs).
- Guide students in selecting courses that support graduation requirements, college admission, career pathways, and workforce readiness.
- Monitor student academic progress and identify students needing academic interventions.
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to develop strategies that improve student achievement.
- Analyze student performance data to identify trends and recommend interventions that support student success.
- Support student attendance initiatives and collaborate with school staff to improve student engagement.
College and Career Readiness
- Provide comprehensive college and career counseling for all students.
- Assist students with college admissions, technical college enrollment, military opportunities, apprenticeships, and employment preparation.
- Guide students through scholarship searches, financial aid opportunities, FAFSA completion, and college application processes.
- Coordinate college fairs, career fairs, college visits, military recruiter visits, and career exploration opportunities.
- Educate students and families regarding graduation pathways, career clusters, industry credentials, apprenticeships, and postsecondary options.
- Maintain current knowledge of college admission requirements, scholarship opportunities, workforce trends, and career planning resources.
Dual Enrollment Coordination
- Serve as Royal Live Oaks Academy's Dual Enrollment Coordinator and primary liaison with partnering colleges and universities.
- Consult with students and parents regarding dual enrollment opportunities, eligibility requirements, academic expectations, and long-term educational planning.
- Coordinate all aspects of the dual enrollment process, including applications, registration, course selection, enrollment, schedule changes, withdrawals, and transcript requests.
- Verify student eligibility for participation in dual enrollment programs.
- Collaborate with college advisors and faculty to ensure students are appropriately enrolled in courses that satisfy both high school graduation requirements and college degree pathways.
- Monitor student academic performance and progress in dual enrollment courses and provide interventions when needed.
- Maintain accurate records of dual enrollment participation, grades, earned college credit, and student eligibility.
- Communicate important deadlines, policies, procedures, and academic expectations to students, parents, faculty, and college partners.
- Coordinate parent information sessions and student orientation meetings related to dual enrollment opportunities.
- Ensure compliance with Charter Institute at Erskine requirements, South Carolina Department of Education regulations, FERPA, and partnering college policies.
Social-Emotional Development
- Provide short-term individual and small-group counseling addressing academic, behavioral, social, and emotional concerns.
- Promote social-emotional learning and positive character development.
- Assist students with conflict resolution, coping strategies, decision-making, and goal setting.
- Identify students requiring additional mental health services and coordinate referrals to community agencies and outside providers.
- Collaborate with families and outside agencies to support student well-being while maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.
- Participate in crisis response planning and provide support during emergencies as needed.
Student Services and Records Management
- Maintain accurate and confidential student records in accordance with FERPA and applicable state and federal regulations.
- Coordinate transcript requests, credit evaluations, enrollment documentation, graduation verification, and scholarship recommendations.
- Assist with student enrollment, withdrawals, transfers, and records management.
- Monitor graduation status for all students and communicate deficiencies to students and families in a timely manner.
- Prepare reports and maintain documentation required by Royal Live Oaks Academy, Charter Institute at Erskine, and the South Carolina Department of Education.
Collaboration and Leadership
- Collaborate with administrators, teachers, special education staff, 504 coordinators, school psychologists, social workers, and other student support personnel to promote student success.
- Participate in MTSS, IEP, Section 504, attendance, and student support meetings as appropriate.
- Build partnerships with parents, community organizations, colleges, universities, military representatives, businesses, and workforce development agencies.
- Participate in school improvement planning, accreditation activities, faculty meetings, professional learning, and school events.
- Serve on school committees and complete other duties as assigned by the Chief of Staff or designee.
QualificationsEducation
- Master's degree in School Counseling or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
Certification
- Valid South Carolina Educator Certificate with School Counselor certification or eligibility to obtain certification in accordance with South Carolina Department of Education requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience coordinating dual enrollment or early college programs.
- Knowledge of South Carolina graduation requirements and college admissions processes.
- Experience working in a charter school or college-preparatory environment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of ASCA National Model and South Carolina Comprehensive School Counseling standards.
- Thorough knowledge of South Carolina graduation requirements and Charter Institute at Erskine expectations.
- Strong understanding of dual enrollment policies and college admission procedures.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to analyze student data and develop interventions that improve student outcomes.
- Ability to establish positive relationships with students, families, faculty, community partners, and postsecondary institutions.
- Strong technology skills, including student information systems, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and college application platforms.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising sound professional judgment.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to perform duties in a school environment, including sitting, standing, walking, and using standard office equipment.
- Ability to attend evening meetings, college events, parent conferences, and occasional weekend activities as assigned.
Terms of Employment
- Full-time
- Salary and work calendar established by Royal Live Oaks Academy.
- Performance evaluated annually in accordance with Royal Live Oaks Academy policies and procedures.
Royal Live Oaks Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and excellence.
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
