Position: Online Program Counselor - Spartan Virtual Academy

Online Program Counselor

Reports To

Building Principal

General Job Description

The Online Program Counselor develops, coordinates, and supports the district's virtual learning program while providing comprehensive academic, college and career, and social-emotional counseling services to students enrolled in the online program. The counselor serves as the primary advocate for students by coordinating enrollment, graduation planning, attendance interventions, student supports, and wraparound services while ensuring students remain engaged and successful in a virtual learning environment.

The Online Program Counselor works collaboratively with online program teachers, site counselors, administrators, special education staff, English Learner teachers, families, and community partners to remove barriers to learning, promote student well-being, and ensure students remain on track for graduation. The position also provides direct support and supervision for students assigned to long-term out-of-school suspension who continue their education through the district's online program.

** Please note that this is an in-person position located at Bernalillo High School. While the counselor will work on-site, they will be responsible for monitoring and supporting students participating in online learning.

Our Community

Bernalillo Public Schools honors the historic homelands of the Pueblo people and the shared contributions of the Pueblo people and descendants of Spanish settlers to establish vibrant communities now and in the future. We serve a close-knit, rural community with a richly diverse student population, including many Hispanic and Native American students whose families maintain deep ties to culture, language, land, and community life. Many students are bilingual or multilingual, creating opportunities for instruction that integrate language development and content learning. Working in Bernalillo means partnering closely with families, honoring students' identities, and ensuring every student has equitable access to rigorous learning opportunities and comprehensive support services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinate and Support the Online Learning Program

Coordinate and monitor the district's online learning program to ensure students remain actively engaged and successful.
Monitor student participation and engagement in district-approved virtual learning platforms on a daily basis.
Collaborate with the Online Program Teacher to support virtual instruction, assessments, and course activities while maintaining academic integrity.
Assist students in navigating online learning platforms and accessing coursework.
Monitor student progress and provide timely academic and behavioral interventions.
Maintain accurate electronic records, communication logs, attendance documentation, and student progress information.
Ensure virtual learning environments remain organized, accessible, and compliant with district expectations.

Comprehensive School Counseling Services

Develop, implement, and evaluate counseling services that support the academic, college and career, and social-emotional development of students enrolled in the online program.
Provide individual and small-group counseling to address academic, behavioral, career, and personal/social concerns.
Provide crisis intervention and appropriate follow-up services.
Assist students in developing self-advocacy, decision-making, goal-setting, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
Identify students requiring additional counseling or behavioral supports and coordinate appropriate interventions.
Refer students and families to appropriate school and community agencies when additional services are needed.
Maintain counseling records in accordance with district, state, and federal requirements while protecting student confidentiality.

Enrollment, Scheduling, and Graduation Planning

Coordinate enrollment into the online learning program.
Meet with students and parents or guardians to review program expectations, participation agreements, and student responsibilities.
Collaborate with site counselors to develop student schedules that align with graduation requirements and individual learning needs.
Monitor each student's progress toward graduation requirements throughout the school year.
Assist with course selection, schedule adjustments, credit recovery, and graduation planning.
Support completion of Next Step Plans and provide guidance regarding postsecondary opportunities, including colleges, universities, military service, technical education, apprenticeships, scholarships, and workforce pathways.
Prepare school reports and letters of recommendation as appropriate.

Monitor Student Engagement and Academic Progress

Monitor student attendance, participation, assignment completion, and academic performance daily.
Utilize learning management systems (LMS), student information systems (SIS), and assessment data to identify students needing additional support.
Collaborate with the Online Program Teacher regarding grading, student progress, and intervention planning.
Analyze formative and summative assessment data to guide intervention decisions.
Implement Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS/MTSS) strategies for students demonstrating academic, behavioral, or attendance concerns.
Coordinate attendance interventions and dropout prevention efforts.
Maintain accurate documentation of interventions, student contacts, attendance, and progress monitoring.

Build Relationships and Support Student Success

Establish positive, respectful, and supportive relationships with students and families.
Maintain ongoing communication with students, parents, guardians, and learning coaches regarding attendance, academic progress, intervention plans, and available supports.
Conduct weekly individual conferences with each assigned student to review attendance, academic progress, goal setting, and barriers to success.
Conduct virtual office hours and small-group support sessions.
Contact families promptly when students demonstrate academic or attendance concerns and collaboratively develop intervention plans.
Promote social-emotional well-being by fostering an inclusive, supportive virtual learning community.
Encourage student engagement, self-advocacy, responsibility, and ownership of learning.

Prevention, Intervention, and Student Wellness

Coordinate prevention and awareness initiatives addressing attendance, dropout prevention, bullying, suicide awareness, substance abuse prevention, healthy relationships, violence prevention, and social-emotional learning.
Monitor students for social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns and coordinate interventions.
Participate in crisis response and student safety planning as needed.
Support behavior intervention and conflict resolution strategies.
Assist with student attendance improvement initiatives.

Collaboration and Community Partnerships

Collaborate with Online Program Teachers, site counselors, administrators, special education staff, English Learner teachers, interventionists, school psychologists, nurses, and other student support personnel.
Participate as a member of MTSS, IEP, Section 504, Student Assistance Teams, and other multidisciplinary teams.
Communicate monthly with Tribal Education Directors to coordinate wraparound services and ensure students remain connected to community resources.
Serve as a liaison between the school, families, and community agencies.
Participate actively in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), district initiatives, and school improvement efforts.

Support Students Assigned to Long-Term Out-of-School Suspension

Coordinate educational services for students assigned to long-term out-of-school suspension who participate in the online program.
Monitor attendance, participation, academic progress, and student engagement throughout the suspension period.
Serve as the primary point of contact for students and families regarding expectations, progress, and available supports.
Collaborate with administrators and instructional staff to promote successful reentry when appropriate.

Professional Responsibilities

Maintain confidentiality in accordance with district policies, state and federal law, FERPA, and ASCA ethical standards.
Follow all district policies, administrative regulations, and New Mexico Public Education Department requirements.
Utilize technology platforms, student information systems, and virtual learning tools effectively.
Participate in required meetings, professional development, and continuing education.
Stay current on counseling practices, online learning, educational technology, graduation requirements, and state regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Building Principal or Superintendent.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise students as assigned.
No direct employee supervisory responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

Master's Degree in School Counseling or related field from an accredited institution.
Valid New Mexico School Counselor License.
Ability to pass all required employment verification and background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous school counseling or educational administrative experience.
Experience supporting virtual, blended, or online learning programs.
Experience with graduation planning, credit recovery, and secondary scheduling.
Experience implementing MTSS/MLSS and student intervention systems.
Experience working with English Learners, students with disabilities, and culturally diverse populations.
National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential preferred.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or Indigenous languages preferred.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong knowledge of school counseling practices, adolescent development, crisis intervention, and college and career readiness.
Knowledge of virtual learning platforms, learning management systems, and student information systems.
Ability to build meaningful relationships with students and families in a virtual environment.
Strong understanding of graduation requirements, academic planning, and student intervention systems.
Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive, inclusive, and asset-based practices.
Ability to analyze student data and implement timely interventions.
Excellent communication, collaboration, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Strong technology skills and the ability to effectively support students in virtual learning environments.
Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, flexibility, and a student-centered approach.

Physical Requirements

The position requires sitting, standing, walking, lifting up to 50 pounds, and other physical activities typical of a school environment. Responsibilities include extended computer use, virtual meetings, occasional classroom supervision, and direct support of students participating in the online program.

Work Environment

The Online Program Counselor works primarily in a school-based setting with extensive use of virtual learning technologies. The position requires frequent interaction with students, families, school staff, and community agencies through both virtual and in-person communication. Responsibilities include managing multiple priorities, responding to student crises, coordinating support services, and providing occasional in-person supervision for students participating in the online program, including students assigned to long-term out-of-school suspension. Occasional evening or after-hours work may be required for parent conferences, professional development, or district events.

Terms of Employment

Salary, work schedule, and contract terms shall be established by the Board of Education in accordance with district policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Teacher | Online Program Counselor - Spartan Virtual Academy