School Counselor Jobs in California
School Counselor jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with steady demand across K-12 public school districts, community colleges, and university systems at every level from entry-level associate counselor through senior and lead positions. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area are the largest hiring metros, home to major employers such as Los Angeles Unified School District, San Diego Unified School District, and the California State University system. The most sought-after specialties include college and career readiness counseling, mental health and crisis intervention, and multilingual learner support. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 24+ School Counselor jobs
Are you passionate about supporting students and creating transformative experiences in the classroom?
Seneca’s School Partnership Programs are hiring for a Bilingual School-Based Counselor to guide elementary students to success in Hayward, CA. As a Bilingual School-Based Counselor you will make a positive impact on transforming the lives of students with emotional and behavioral challenges. In addition, you will promote academic growth and nurture social-emotional well-being. You will provide individualized attention and direct instruction in core areas to help students make progress on treatment goals designed to help students succeed in their general education classrooms.
ABOUT THE HEART PROGRAM
Seneca’s Unconditional Education HEART Program partners with Hayward Unified School District to support students and families through their most difficult times. The HEART program currently has Counseling Enriched Classrooms (CEC) on 7 Hayward School District campuses. Each classroom is made up of a team of Mental Health Counselors, a Teacher, and a Therapist. The program offers individual, family and group therapies, alongside behavioral systems that emphasize positive reinforcement and incentives. The HEART program promotes a strength-based system focused on relational, behavioral and ecological treatment. Learn more about Seneca’s School Partnership Programs and Unconditional Education model (https://senecafoa.org/our-services/education/).
About Seneca
Seneca Family of Agencies has been nominated among the Bay Area’s Top Workplaces (https://topworkplaces.com/company/seneca-family-of-agencie/bayarea/) for nearly a decade. We’re committed to providing traditionally marginalized communities with a network of outstanding mental health, community-based, and educational services. We are committed to building a diverse staff, and our programs actively engage in conversations and training on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (https://senecadei.wordpress.com/) to promote equity and justice for the youth and families we serve.
Responsibilities:
- Work collaboratively within a transdisciplinary team, including teachers, counselors, specialists, and program leadership
- Build therapeutic relationships that help students engage and achieve personalized goals
- Support academic instruction by assisting with individual and group activities as directed
- Implement classroom modifications and accommodations based on student’s individualized education plans (IEP) and other plans
- Deliver direct behavioral intervention that reduces behaviors impeding school success and promotes positive behaviors for learning and community engagement
- Complete required data collection and service documentation to measure the effectiveness of services, inform team decision making, and/or engage in service billing
- Communicate effectively with families and all others involved in the students’ daily life, including other Seneca programs or external agencies
- Utilize crisis communication and de-escalation techniques as per Seneca's crisis response training
Qualifications:
- Education/Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree OR
- Associate degree or equivalent + 1 year of applicable experience OR
- High School Diploma/GED + 2 years of applicable experience.
- Applicable experience can include paid or unpaid experience working with youth or families, working in a classroom setting, working in a mental health setting, providing academic support to youth, or providing crisis support to youth.
- At least 21 years of age
- Reliable transportation to and from the school site and other occasional meeting locations or Valid California Driver's License (will vary by job/program)
- TB test clearance, fingerprinting clearance, and any other state/federal licensing or certification requirements
Schedule:
- Full time
- School based schedule:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM - 4:30 PM (ability to work occasional flexible schedule when school needs vary)
- 5 weeks of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, and 14 paid school break days
Benefits:
- Starting at $29.26 -$31.76 per hour per hour
- Actual salary dependent on creditable experience above the minimum qualifications
- Salary increases each year
- Comprehensive employee benefits package:
- Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, and fertility coverage
- Short and long-term disability, family leave, and life insurance
- Partially paid premiums for dependents
- 403b retirement plan
- Employer-Paid Assistance Plan
- 5 weeks of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, and 14 paid school break days
- Seneca is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) certified employer
- Abundant promotional opportunities across California
- Specialized training and development opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Are you passionate about supporting students and creating transformative experiences in the classroom?
Seneca’s School Partnership Programs are hiring for a Bilingual School-Based Counselor to guide elementary students to success in Hayward, CA. As a Bilingual School-Based Counselor you will make a positive impact on transforming the lives of students with emotional and behavioral challenges. In addition, you will promote academic growth and nurture social-emotional well-being. You will provide individualized attention and direct instruction in core areas to help students make progress on treatment goals designed to help students succeed in their general education classrooms.
ABOUT THE HEART PROGRAM
Seneca’s Unconditional Education HEART Program partners with Hayward Unified School District to support students and families through their most difficult times. The HEART program currently has Counseling Enriched Classrooms (CEC) on 7 Hayward School District campuses. Each classroom is made up of a team of Mental Health Counselors, a Teacher, and a Therapist. The program offers individual, family and group therapies, alongside behavioral systems that emphasize positive reinforcement and incentives. The HEART program promotes a strength-based system focused on relational, behavioral and ecological treatment. Learn more about Seneca’s School Partnership Programs and Unconditional Education model (https://senecafoa.org/our-services/education/).
About Seneca
Seneca Family of Agencies has been nominated among the Bay Area’s Top Workplaces (https://topworkplaces.com/company/seneca-family-of-agencie/bayarea/) for nearly a decade. We’re committed to providing traditionally marginalized communities with a network of outstanding mental health, community-based, and educational services. We are committed to building a diverse staff, and our programs actively engage in conversations and training on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (https://senecadei.wordpress.com/) to promote equity and justice for the youth and families we serve.
Responsibilities:
- Work collaboratively within a transdisciplinary team, including teachers, counselors, specialists, and program leadership
- Build therapeutic relationships that help students engage and achieve personalized goals
- Support academic instruction by assisting with individual and group activities as directed
- Implement classroom modifications and accommodations based on student’s individualized education plans (IEP) and other plans
- Deliver direct behavioral intervention that reduces behaviors impeding school success and promotes positive behaviors for learning and community engagement
- Complete required data collection and service documentation to measure the effectiveness of services, inform team decision making, and/or engage in service billing
- Communicate effectively with families and all others involved in the students’ daily life, including other Seneca programs or external agencies
- Utilize crisis communication and de-escalation techniques as per Seneca's crisis response training
Qualifications:
- Education/Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree OR
- Associate degree or equivalent + 1 year of applicable experience OR
- High School Diploma/GED + 2 years of applicable experience.
- Applicable experience can include paid or unpaid experience working with youth or families, working in a classroom setting, working in a mental health setting, providing academic support to youth, or providing crisis support to youth.
- At least 21 years of age
- Reliable transportation to and from the school site and other occasional meeting locations or Valid California Driver's License (will vary by job/program)
- TB test clearance, fingerprinting clearance, and any other state/federal licensing or certification requirements
Schedule:
- Full time
- School based schedule:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM - 4:30 PM (ability to work occasional flexible schedule when school needs vary)
- 5 weeks of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, and 14 paid school break days
Benefits:
- Starting at $29.26 -$31.76 per hour per hour
- Actual salary dependent on creditable experience above the minimum qualifications
- Salary increases each year
- Comprehensive employee benefits package:
- Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, and fertility coverage
- Short and long-term disability, family leave, and life insurance
- Partially paid premiums for dependents
- 403b retirement plan
- Employer-Paid Assistance Plan
- 5 weeks of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, and 14 paid school break days
- Seneca is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) certified employer
- Abundant promotional opportunities across California
- Specialized training and development opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 24 School Counselor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find School Counselor JobsSchool Counselor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
School Counselor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in school counselor jobs across California.
- Holds a valid California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential in school counseling
- Completed a master's degree in counseling, school psychology, or a closely related field
- Experience providing academic, social-emotional, or college and career counseling to students
- Familiarity with California's Multi-Tiered System of Supports and MTSS frameworks
- Ability to serve diverse student populations, including English learners and students with IEPs
- Strong communication and case management skills for collaborating with families and staff
School Counselor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a school counselor in California?
You become a school counselor in California by earning a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This requires completing a master's degree from a Commission-approved counselor education program, fulfilling supervised fieldwork hours in a school setting, and passing the required background check. Most candidates complete their credential alongside or immediately after their graduate program before applying to district positions.
Which companies hire school counselors in California?
Employers hiring school counselors in California right now include YMCA of Silicon Valley, Mount Hermon Association, and Leidos, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's large unified school districts, community college districts, and the California State University system account for a significant share of ongoing openings across the state.
Which California cities have the most school counselor jobs?
San Francisco, Mount Hermon, and Irvine have the most school counselor openings in California. Los Angeles dominates due to the size of LAUSD and the density of higher education institutions, while San Diego and the Bay Area reflect large unified districts and a high concentration of community colleges and universities that maintain consistent counseling staff.
Are there remote school counselor jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. School counseling is fundamentally an in-person role built around direct student contact, crisis response, and on-site collaboration with teachers and administrators. About 10% of school counselor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in virtual school programs or district-level coordination roles rather than traditional campus assignments.
How can I get hired as a school counselor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a Commission-approved counselor education program that includes a supervised fieldwork placement, which many California candidates convert into their first hire. Large unified districts such as Los Angeles Unified and San Francisco Unified periodically post intern or provisionally credentialed counselor roles designed for candidates still completing their PPS credential. Coming from a related role such as a school psychologist intern, student services aide, or academic advisor strengthens your candidacy, and a completed or in-progress PPS credential is the single qualification that opens the most doors.
Where can I find and apply to school counselor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to school counselor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from districts, community colleges, universities, and other employers across the state. Find the roles that fit your credentials and experience, then apply directly to each one.
See All 24 School Counselor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find School Counselor Jobs