2026-2027 School Counselor (K-8)

POSITION OVERVIEW

*Florida certification in Guidance and Counseling (grades PK-12) is required*

Immediate Start Date at KIPP Impact Academy (7000 103rd Street)

The School Counselor is a year-round, certified position that is responsible for working closely with families, Learning Specialists, teachers, students and Principal(s) to enhance the school’s ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school, and community collaboration is key to achieving that mission.

Success in this role is measured by positively impacting (1) student attendance, (2) the onboarding experience of new families, (3) students’ social/emotional well-being, and (4) credit recovery, as needed. Counselors also execute at least 1 school-based community event a school-year and create/maintain systems that support their initiatives.

Specific Position Duties:

• Serve as the coordinator and LEA for all district MRT meetings

• Support classroom teachers with in-class character education and classroom guidance as determined by school leadership

• Provide individual or small group counseling for students, including weekly social and/or emotional interventions for students

• Provide appropriate updates to leadership on student emotional/physical well-being based on interactions with families, assessments, and observations

• Support students with challenging behaviors

• Track school wide attendance data and work with families of students with low attendance to increase attendance

• Serve as liaison between families and community resources, including creating programming or forming partnerships to benefit students and families.

• Onboard new families to KIPP

• Oversee summer reading and credit recovery programs through FLVS

• Other duties as outlined by school or regional leadership teams

 

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and a relevant Master's degree to meet the standards outlined for certification. 

• Relevant Florida Teaching Certification or Eligibility for Certification in Guidance and Counseling Pre-K- Grade 12

• At least one complete year of school counseling experience with a proven track-record of high achievement

• KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools believes that our staff will represent our core values—high expectations, a growth mindset, commitment to team, trust, joy, and sustainability. We search for established educators who embody them. 

• Passing a background check, as required by law

In accordance with Florida House Bill 531, this position requires a background screening through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. For more information regarding the screening process, education, and awareness, please visit the official website at: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

HIGHLY PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of school-based K-8 school counseling that includes evidence of building systems and partnership OR two or more years of K-8 teaching experience with a proven track-record of high achievement in the classroom.

CERTIFICATION
The FLDOE website outlines that a Master’s degree is required for this position. If you have questions about Florida certification, please visit www.fldoe.org/edcert. Please list details about where you are in the certification process on your application so we can process your application accurately. If you hold a statement of eligibility or an out-of-state certificate, please list that information on your application.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Our current starting salary for a first-year school counselor is $50,000

• Access to health benefits (including medical, dental, and vision)***

• Access to short-term and long-term disability insurance***

• 403(b) retirement program with a company match***

• To support teacher practice and their growth, all lead teachers receive individualized coaching and professional development.

*The salary offered in the DocuSign doesn’t include any stipends for which the candidate may be eligible. In our current year of paying out millage stipends, certified New-to-KIPP instructional staff received a historical average of $11,000 with the addition of receiving TSIA stipends. There are other opportunities to earn money at KIPP Jax in the form of additional stipends. This role will only be eligible for instructional stipends if they have their FLDOE certification.

***This offering is subject to change each school year. Terms would be outlined in an offer letter, if issued. 

 

APPLY
Please complete an application and upload a resume via our job board. No applicants will be considered who submit resumes through other job postings.  Link here: https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/KIPP/jacksonville 

NOTE: If you're a current KIPP Jacksonville team member and are interested in applying, you should 1) let your current manager know that you're interested and 2) complete the application in its entirety online. 

QUESTIONS

If you have questions about this position at KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools, please email LaShawnda at landerson@kippjax.org 

Please understand that resumes and/or cover letters are not accepted via email and you will be redirected to apply via the website.

KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying for employment at our schools. KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin.