Secondary Counselor (2026 - 2027 School Year)

Crossroads Charter Schools is looking for highly effective, highly qualified and highly motivated individuals to join our organization. Ideal candidates will have experience in urban education and be committed to our four core values: High Expectations, Real World Learning, Creative Culture, and Belonging.

Crossroads Charter Schools organization is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other factor prohibited by law.

All candidates must complete an application in order to be considered for open positions. Attach your cover letter, resume, and 4 professional references (include name, phone, and email) for review.

All applicants must apply on line by submitting a resume and cover letter at http://www.crossroadsschoolskc.org/careers.

Job Description: Secondary School Counselor

Direct Supervisor: Principal, or designee

School Summary

At Crossroads Charter Schools, we…

Develop school environments where all students are actively and meaningfully engaged in rigorous instruction and authentic learning tasks.

Interrupt the “school to prison pipeline” – policies and practices that are directly and indirectly pushing the most at-risk students out of school and on a pathway to the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Engage families as partners in meaningful ways.

Nurture an open, collaborative, and trusting environment because the work is enormous, deeply personal, emotional and often difficult.

Engage in on-going job-embedded professional development through co-teaching and co-planning

Position Summary

The primary responsibilities are to provide a comprehensive counseling program for all students and consult with teachers, parents, and staff to enhance their effectiveness in helping students grow socially, emotionally, personally, and educationally.

Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, school counselors promote student success, provide preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career and person/social development for all students.

The counselor collaborates with staff to co-plan, co-deliver, and individualize instruction for all students in a class; work together creatively to accommodate special needs, diversity and educational backgrounds of the students; and overcome instructional challenges constructively.

The counselor is a hardworking, goal-oriented and enthusiastic professional with excellent subject knowledge and a sound understanding of the Missouri Learning Standards and Common Core State Standards.

Position Responsibilities

Implement a school guidance curriculum based on the Department of Elementary and Secondary (DESE) guidance found on their website

Counsel individuals and groups of students through the development of educational, personal, social, and career plans and goals

Consult with and train teachers, parents, and staff regarding children’s needs in the areas of trauma, behavior, social, and emotional development

Refer children with needs and their parents to special programs, specialists and other outside agencies

Participate in and coordinate activities that contribute to the effective operation of the counseling program

Conduct whole class counseling sessions on topics including but not limited to friendship, bullying, self-esteem, good touch/bad touch, etc.

Help create and sustain a positive learning environment for all students

Assist in creating and implementing behavior plans for identified students

Provide outlets and avenues for students to communicate with staff, serving as a liaison to empower students, develop leadership skills, and build healthy relationships built on trust.

• Establish and set goals while tracking gains in student performance
• Participate in meetings, training, and professional development
• Help lead building professional development sessions on Social Emotional and counseling-related topics
• Oversee student 504 plans and accommodations
• Partner with organizations and teams for overall Social Emotional and counseling-related topics

Collaborate with District Social Emotional Learning Coordinator (SEL) team members to create and implement streamlined student supports

• Serve as the building's McKinney Vento contact
• Coordinate family supports via the Impact Mo model
• Oversee the food pantry for the assigned building

Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, coordinating, etc.

Act in a professional and ethical manner at all times and comply with school policies, procedures, and expectations.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by their supervisor.

All applicants must apply on line by submitting a resume and cover letter at http://www.crossroadsschoolskc.org/careers.

Expected Salary - One of your application questions will ask you to indicate your expected salary. To respond to the question, please review the 10-month Compensation plan to indicate your expected salary.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Missouri Certification: Counselor K-12
• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred, Licensed Professional Counselor
• Minimum five years of elementary school counseling experience preferred

Strong familiarity with education and child welfare policies and best practices and a motivation to continue expanding that knowledge base through self-study and interaction with peers.

The desire to continue professional development

Excellent organization skills and an ability to coordinate multiple tasks and activities

Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and an ability to keep multiple stakeholder groups, including parents, teachers, staff, volunteers and partners, informed of critical issues, activities and schedules.

Ability and enthusiasm for promoting the school and its mission to a broad and diverse group of people.

Excellent work ethic, positive attitude, flexibility and willingness to perform tasks assigned

Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students and teachers in the school environment and community.

Must pass an extensive background check.

All applicants must apply on the Crossroads website at: http://www.crossroadsschoolskc.org/careers

Key Working Relationships in Addition to Supervisor

Teachers, Students, Parents, Volunteers, Office Staff, Support Staff, Assistant Principals, Principals, District Leadership Team, Central Office Team

Both federal and state law requires all public school personnel to submit to and pass a criminal background check prior to employment by the school. Crossroads Charter Schools is required by law to exclude from employment any person who has pleaded to or been found guilty of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude under the laws of the State of Missouri, any other State of the United States or any other country, whether or not a sentence is or was imposed.

Please be advised that Crossroads Charter Schools does not seek information related to the conviction of crimes unrelated to those described in this question. Your conviction of a crime not otherwise listed above is not an automatic disqualification from employment consideration. The school will consider the nature of the offense and the relationship between the offense and the position for which you are applying.

Location

Kansas City, Missouri

Department

• Teachers
• Employment Type
• Full Time

Minimum Experience

Mid-level

Compensation

Starting Salary $46,524 - $72,069