High School Counselor

and the job listing Expires on September 1, 2025

Henry Ford Academy is a college prep high school (grades 9-12) located inside the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation & Greenfield Village and surrounded by the campus of Ford Motor Company. Students come from districts within Wayne County, as well as private, parochial, and home schools. The model partnership focuses some of the best thinking from the business, non-profit, and public education worlds toward the common goal of building a school that prepares students for life in the 21st century.

We are seeking a full-time High School Counselor to join our dedicated team of educators. In this role, you will help students navigate their academic, personal, and social development—assisting with course selection, college and career planning, and addressing any challenges that may hinder their success. The High School Counselor provides guidance, support, and resources to help students reach their full potential during their high school years, while helping students establish the skills that will support their development after high school.

Key Responsibilities:

• Academic Support: The HS Counselor will help students plan and select appropriate courses, while monitoring their academic progress and pathway toward graduation. The counselor will assist in creation and implementation of academic interventions for struggling students and will collaborate with teachers and staff to create student success plans.
• College and Career Readiness: The HS Counselor will implement and guide students through college application processes, including FAFSA, essays, institutional applications, and recommendations. The counselor will create a robust system for informing students about scholarships and financial aid opportunities. The counselor should also assist with career exploration, interest inventories, and vocational planning. This should coincide with accessing college fairs, job shadowing, and internship opportunities connected to the unique curriculum of Henry Ford Academy.
• Social-Emotional Support: The HS Counselor will provide responsive and proactive social-emotional support. The counselor will offer individual and group counseling sessions to address issues such as anxiety, peer relationships, grief, and identity development. The counselor will teach coping strategies and emotional regulation skills, while also serving as a trusted adult for students in need. When necessary, the counselor will make referrals to outside mental health services and maintain communication with families and staff as appropriate.
• Equity and Advocacy: The HS Counselor will promote equity by advocating for all students, especially those from historically marginalized or underserved backgrounds. Responsibilities include identifying systemic barriers to student success and working to ensure equal access to academic opportunities, advanced coursework, and extracurricular activities. The counselor will collaborate with staff to foster an inclusive, culturally responsive school environment and support policies that uphold fairness and student dignity.
• Crisis Intervention and Safety: The HS Counselor will serve as a critical member of the crisis response team, conducting risk assessments for students experiencing emotional or behavioral crises and initiating appropriate safety measures. The role includes developing and implementing safety and re-entry plans, consulting with crisis teams and families, and providing follow-up support to ensure student well-being. The counselor will also contribute to school-wide emergency preparedness and response efforts. The counselor will also assist with managing student behavior and partner with administrators to make healthy, appropriate decisions regarding student interventions and discipline.
• Family and Community Engagement: The counselor will build strong partnerships with families and community stakeholders to support student development. Responsibilities include communicating with parents/guardians about academic progress and well-being, facilitating parent-teacher conferences, and connecting families with external support services. The counselor will also participate in or coordinate outreach events, workshops, and presentations to strengthen school-community ties.
• Program Management and Systems Support: The HS Counselor will design, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive school counseling program based on the ASCA National Model. This includes collecting and analyzing data to assess student needs, evaluating program effectiveness, and making data-informed decisions. The counselor will support school-wide initiatives, contribute to multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), assist with student transitions, and maintain accurate student records and documentation in compliance with district and legal requirements. The counselor will also participate in school improvement initiatives, accreditation processes, and state-required assessments.
• Professionalism: The HS Counselor is expected to uphold the highest standards of professional ethics and conduct, adhering to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards and relevant legal guidelines. A strong commitment to confidentiality is essential, with the counselor maintaining the privacy of student information while exercising sound judgment in cases that require collaboration for student safety and well-being. The counselor will work in close partnership with teachers, administrators, and other school personnel to support a safe, inclusive, and student-centered environment. This includes participating in multidisciplinary teams, contributing to school improvement efforts, and serving as a collaborative problem-solver and advocate for all students. Professionalism, discretion, and trust-building are foundational to the counselor’s role within the school community.

Qualifications:

• Counseling Endorsement or License (Michigan Certification and Endorsement Preferred)
• Counseling experience and/or professional development within the last five (5) years
• Computer literacy and relevant technology skills

Special Skills/Requirements:

• Ability to relate positively to students, parents, community and staff
• Ability to manage groups and deal with sensitive topics
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Disposition and skill set to advocate for all students
• Ability to deal appropriately with confidential material

Schedule/Working Conditions:

The HS Counselor will spend most of their time in the Greenfield Village campus of the Henry Ford Academy—working with 10-12th graders, interacting with students and staff, and maintaining a positive school atmosphere. The duty period is 8:00am to 4:00pm during typical school days. The HS Counselor will also be present from 4:00-5:00pm on scheduled school meetings days and must also be available for key afterschool activities including (conferences, honors/award nights, NHS ceremony, graduation, and similar key school events).

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan for public school staff (MPSERS)
• Paid time off and holidays

It is the policy of The Henry Ford to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity (including but not limited to recruitment, hire, employment, program participation, promotion, salary, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment or service as a volunteer) based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability. Marital/domestic partner status, military and veteran status, height, weight or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This Policy applies to all of our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.

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