Secondary School Counselor - 2026-27 Opening

Westgate Community School is a small, innovative K-12 Charter School focused on Gifted Education for the Whole Child in Thornton, CO.

We are seeking a driven, innovative Secondary School Counselor to help expand and elevate our dynamic secondary program, which includes a robust Concurrent Enrollment pathway at the high school level. In this role, you will serve a close-knit community of approximately 100 middle school students (grades 7–8) and 90 high school students (grades 9–12), allowing for meaningful relationships and personalized impact. You will also have the awesome opportunity to work alongside an amazing Mental Health Team including, Blanche, our Facility Dog.

At Westgate, our high school students have the opportunity to earn an Associate’s Degree through Front Range Community College (FRCC) while completing their high school diploma. Our counseling program has been a key driver of strong course completion and student success—and we are looking for someone ready to take that momentum even further.

You will also have the opportunity to build upon our nationally recognized Peer Mentoring program, featured on NPR, and help scale its impact as a cornerstone of student leadership and community.

This is a role for a builder—someone who sees possibility, takes initiative, and thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. If you are a strategic thinker, a relationship-builder, and a relentless advocate for student success, we want to meet you.

Job Title: Secondary School Counselor (Grades 7-12)

Position Type: Full Time, Exempt

Salary or Pay Range: $66,000-$75,000 starting range.

Benefits: Medical (3 plans available), Dental (2 plans available), Vision, Short-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Colorado PERA Participation, additional retirement plan options (401(k), 457, 403(b)), HSA participation for eligible health plans, Paid Personal Leave, Paid Sick Leave, Professional Development Opportunities

Key responsibilities include being a collaborative member of the mental health team, managing concurrent enrollment for college credit and graduation requirements, implementing nationally recognized peer mentoring program, academic scheduling, crisis intervention, and facilitating post-secondary transitions. You must have the ability and the desire to be trained and work with our Facility Dog, Blanche--our gorgeous golden retriever.

Core Responsibilities & Job Description

• Concurrent Enrollment & Academic Planning:
• Show knowledge of and experience with academic advising, registration, and scheduling.
• Coordinate, review, and approve concurrent enrollment applications for high school students, ensuring college readiness and alignment with ICAP.
• Review transcripts, verify credits, and facilitate communication between high schools and colleges.
• Partner with teachers to support academic differentiation, interventions, and extensions for students.
• Collect and disaggregate student and school data to create targeted, data-driven program goals and services in collaboration with school stakeholders to ensure student growth.
• Peer Mentoring & Leadership:
• Develop, train, and supervise 9-12 grade peer mentors who support K-8 students weekly on social integration, and academic success.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer tutoring or conflict resolution programs to foster a positive school climate.
• Act as a partner and liaison to the 7-12 school principal regarding students’ academic and social-emotional success in and out of the classroom.
• Partner with teachers to develop a robust seminar curriculum for 9-12 grades that incorporates social-emotional learning components, ICAP, and other needs determined by stakeholders.
• Comprehensive Counseling:
• Utilize the American School Counselor Association's National Model to plan, evaluate and revise a data driven comprehensive school counseling program for all students in the three ASCA domains: academic, postsecondary, and social-emotional development.
• Demonstrate the following skills: one-on-one solution-focused and short-term counseling, facilitation of psycho-educational groups, trauma informed practices, and crisis intervention.
• Conduct post-secondary planning, including college searches, financial aid, and career exploration.
• Facilitate crisis intervention protocols (e.g., threat assessments, suicide prevention, grief counseling) when needed.
• Maintain records and collaborate with staff, parents, and community partners. 
• Adhere to ASCA Ethical Standards by maintaining confidentiality, appropriate boundaries with students, families, and staff, and advocating for system change through an equity lens.
• Provide social-emotional differentiation, interventions, and extensions for students.
• Establish and show knowledge of child abuse, neglect, and child protection procedures, as well as ALP, 504, RTI/MTSS, and Special Education referral process.
• Staff, Family, and Community Engagement
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their students' progress and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs.
• Collaborate with parents or guardians, teachers, other counselors and support staff, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral, academic, and other problems.
• Provide consultation, communication, and referrals to families as appropriate.
• Seek and coordinate with community agencies and service providers when needed.
• Join weekly team meetings for 7-8 grade students and 9-12 grade students to problem-solve and collaborate regarding student outcomes.
• Attend school community events for middle and high school students, such as Parent Engagement Nights, Homecoming, Prom, Graduation, field trips, etc.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in School Counseling or counseling-related field.
• Certification: Valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Special Services Provider License with a School Counselor endorsement.
• Skills: Strong communication, conflict resolution, data analysis, and familiarity with ICAP processes.
• Technology: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, and student information systems (e.g., ICAP/transcript systems). 

Working Conditions
This position requires working within a high school setting, often including travel to our partner college, and complying with school and district policies regarding school safety and student confidentiality.  You must be able to work with our Facility Dog, Blanche, a gorgeous golden retriever.

Physical Requirements:

Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Other Information:

• This position may require successful completion of pre-employment checks to include a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
• This position normally works Monday - Friday
• Some weekend and evening hours due to school functions, parent teacher conferences, or extracurricular activities may be required.

Pay: $66,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person