Guidance Counselor
Oak Hill.com
Office
Hartford, CT, US
Full Time
Oak Hill has been enhancing the lives of people with disabilities since 1893! We invite you to join our team of highly committed professionals. Founded in 1893 by trailblazer and visionary, Emily Wells Foster, Oak Hill has over 129 years of experience providing the highest quality services to people with varying disabilities. Oak Hill sets the standard, partnering with people with disabilities, to provide services and solutions promoting independence, education, health, and dignity.
Under the direction of the Director of Curriculum and Admissions and in alignment with the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), the Guidance Counselor at Oak Hill School provides both direct and consultative counseling services to students with developmental disabilities. This role addresses social-emotional, behavioral, and transitional needs that impact educational progress and long-term independence.
In addition to counseling responsibilities, the Guidance Counselor serves as the Transition Coordinator, facilitating vocational and post-secondary readiness, and as the District Testing Coordinator, ensuring compliance with all state-mandated assessments. The role requires collaboration across interdisciplinary teams to foster emotional safety, school adjustment, and lifelong learning.
What We Offer:
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• A supportive team and inclusive culture
• The chance to make a meaningful impact from day one
Key Responsibilities
1. Counseling & Student Engagement
• Provide individual and small group counseling aligned with IEP goals.
• Implement structured interventions to support students with anxiety, grief, emotional regulation, peer interaction, and coping strategies.
• Foster a safe, inclusive environment that promotes student participation and classroom engagement.
• Collaborate with educators to integrate social-emotional strategies into classroom instruction and transitions.
2. Transition Coordination
• Serve as Transition Coordinator, facilitating achievement of post-secondary goals such as vocational training, independent living skills, and further education.
• Develop and implement counseling supports for transition within school programs and post-graduation planning.
• Collaborate with staff and families to ensure student readiness for work and community engagement.
• Monitor and communicate student progress, adjusting transition strategies as needed.
3. State Testing Coordination
• Oversee timely completion and compliance of all state-mandated assessments.
• Coordinate logistics, documentation, accommodations, and communication related to testing protocols.
4. Planning & Documentation
• Participate in the development of IEP goals related to counseling, transition, and self-advocacy.
• Conduct assessments and use data-driven approaches to inform service delivery and transition plans.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including progress notes, quarterly reports, and parent communications.
• Contribute to intake evaluations and programming for new students.
5. Collaboration & Professional Leadership
• Actively participate in trans-disciplinary meetings, PPTs, IDTs, PRCs, and staff development sessions.
• Provide technical assistance to teams on IEP development, behavior support, vocational programming, and classroom management.
• Train and support educators, paraprofessionals, and parents in SEL strategies and transition best practices.
• Stay current with state and federal education regulations and Oak Hill policies.
6. Staff Support & Compliance
• Identify and report performance concerns among staff as needed.
• Deliver guidance and training on SEL, transition programming, safety practices, and educational compliance.
• Uphold Oak Hill’s mission and maintain a student-centered, inclusive learning environment.
Qualifications
• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, or related field (required).
• Valid state certification or license in School Counseling or related area (preferred).
• Experience working with students with developmental disabilities and complex learning needs.
• Knowledge of transition planning, vocational education, and post-secondary readiness strategies.
• Familiarity with IEP development and special education law.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills.
Preferred Experience
• 2+ years working in a special education or alternative school setting.
• Experience coordinating state testing and/or transition programming.
• Background in trauma-informed counseling or behavioral intervention (a plus).
We support equality for and advancement of all people, based on their qualifications and actions alone, without regard to color, gender, age, religion, national origin or disability.
An Equal Opportunity Employer.
Under the direction of the Director of Curriculum and Admissions and in alignment with the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), the Guidance Counselor at Oak Hill School provides both direct and consultative counseling services to students with developmental disabilities. This role addresses social-emotional, behavioral, and transitional needs that impact educational progress and long-term independence.
In addition to counseling responsibilities, the Guidance Counselor serves as the Transition Coordinator, facilitating vocational and post-secondary readiness, and as the District Testing Coordinator, ensuring compliance with all state-mandated assessments. The role requires collaboration across interdisciplinary teams to foster emotional safety, school adjustment, and lifelong learning.
What We Offer:
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• A supportive team and inclusive culture
• The chance to make a meaningful impact from day one
Key Responsibilities
1. Counseling & Student Engagement
• Provide individual and small group counseling aligned with IEP goals.
• Implement structured interventions to support students with anxiety, grief, emotional regulation, peer interaction, and coping strategies.
• Foster a safe, inclusive environment that promotes student participation and classroom engagement.
• Collaborate with educators to integrate social-emotional strategies into classroom instruction and transitions.
2. Transition Coordination
• Serve as Transition Coordinator, facilitating achievement of post-secondary goals such as vocational training, independent living skills, and further education.
• Develop and implement counseling supports for transition within school programs and post-graduation planning.
• Collaborate with staff and families to ensure student readiness for work and community engagement.
• Monitor and communicate student progress, adjusting transition strategies as needed.
3. State Testing Coordination
• Oversee timely completion and compliance of all state-mandated assessments.
• Coordinate logistics, documentation, accommodations, and communication related to testing protocols.
4. Planning & Documentation
• Participate in the development of IEP goals related to counseling, transition, and self-advocacy.
• Conduct assessments and use data-driven approaches to inform service delivery and transition plans.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including progress notes, quarterly reports, and parent communications.
• Contribute to intake evaluations and programming for new students.
5. Collaboration & Professional Leadership
• Actively participate in trans-disciplinary meetings, PPTs, IDTs, PRCs, and staff development sessions.
• Provide technical assistance to teams on IEP development, behavior support, vocational programming, and classroom management.
• Train and support educators, paraprofessionals, and parents in SEL strategies and transition best practices.
• Stay current with state and federal education regulations and Oak Hill policies.
6. Staff Support & Compliance
• Identify and report performance concerns among staff as needed.
• Deliver guidance and training on SEL, transition programming, safety practices, and educational compliance.
• Uphold Oak Hill’s mission and maintain a student-centered, inclusive learning environment.
Qualifications
• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, or related field (required).
• Valid state certification or license in School Counseling or related area (preferred).
• Experience working with students with developmental disabilities and complex learning needs.
• Knowledge of transition planning, vocational education, and post-secondary readiness strategies.
• Familiarity with IEP development and special education law.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills.
Preferred Experience
• 2+ years working in a special education or alternative school setting.
• Experience coordinating state testing and/or transition programming.
• Background in trauma-informed counseling or behavioral intervention (a plus).
We support equality for and advancement of all people, based on their qualifications and actions alone, without regard to color, gender, age, religion, national origin or disability.
An Equal Opportunity Employer.
Guidance Counselor
Office
Hartford, CT, US
Full Time
September 12, 2025