School Counselor Jobs in Virginia
School Counselor jobs in Virginia are in steady demand, concentrated in K-12 public school divisions, higher education institutions, and community mental health programs, with openings at every level from first-year counselors through department heads and lead counselors. The busiest hiring markets are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Virginia Beach, where large public school systems such as Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and Henrico County Public Schools maintain consistent openings. College and career readiness counseling, mental health and crisis intervention, and special education support are the most sought-after specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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General Description:
School Counselors work with students to help them develop academically, personally and socially and to assist in career development through individual and group counseling, as well as classroom guidance sessions. Counselors consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to provide students with the resources and services to help them to be the best possible learners. In addition, they serve as a liaison between school, community agencies, and post-secondary opportunities.Job Description:
Essential Job Functions :
Academic/Educational Development :
Assisting students to achieve school success and develop skills to engage in life-long learning Counsels students (individual and group) in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social concerns.
Provides programs, activities, and services which focus on helping children experience healthy growth academically, socially and for future success.
Publicizes and coordinates information to students and parents regarding student opportunities such as enrichment programs, scholarships, special programs, etc.
Personal/Social Development:
Assisting students to successfully use interpersonal, intrapersonal and social skills
Serves as an advocate for students and works to promote a healthy school climate and a safe learning environment
Collaborates/consults with parents, teachers, administrators and community resources concerning student issues
Assists with crisis intervention and in identifying and implementing prevention and intervention programs for students
Career Development:
Assisting students to become aware of life/career choices and participate in career development activities to prepare for the world of work
Offers guidance sessions on problem-solving decision-making and academic and career planning.
Assists students with course selection (secondary) relative to their educational pursuits and career goals.
Coordinates participation in career-related activities.
Demonstrates commitment to improving professional competence.
Assesses student learning on an ongoing basis and alters instruction to meet group/individual needs.
Uses the curriculum of the district to plan daily instructional activities.
May perform other duties as assigned.
Budgetary Responsibility :
N/A
Report Preparation :
Responsible for verifying graduation course and test requirements and all reports which follow.
Equipment Operation :
Uses personal computer for communication and correspondence.
Contacts : All counselors work regularly with community agencies and businesses to bring resources to the students. Secondary counselors work closely with college admission representatives, military personnel and employers on a regular basis. Consults daily with teachers, administrators, and county personnel.
Work Direction :
N/A
Supervision :
N/A
Decision Making :
Counselors are responsible for individual decision making as they guide and counsel students in their development.
Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities :
N/A
Physical Demands :
The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to find, reach with hands and arms, handle paper files, records, computer and equipment controls, and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment :
The employee works in an office and school environment; the noise level is quiet to moderate.
Qualifications:
Working knowledge of appropriate counseling interventions in a school setting, with special emphasis on the study of interpersonal relationships, facilitative skills, brief counseling, group dynamics, and group learning activities, of family systems, peer helper programs, multicultural and cross-cultural helping approaches, crisis intervention techniques and educational and community sources for special school populations. Working knowledge of the concepts, principles, and methodologies of instruction. Working knowledge of academic curriculum and methodologies of instruction. Demonstrated ability to communicate with others effectively, both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability in crisis intervention, decision making, problem analysis, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, planning, and multi-tasking.
Additional Job Requirements:
Post-graduate certification/licensure/endorsement in School Counseling by the Virginia Department of Education. Master's degree with emphasis in guidance and counseling.
Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
State Police Criminal History Investigation
Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
Tuberculosis Screening/Test
Compensation
$0.00 - $0.00Hours Per Day
0Days Per Year
0Benefits
Chesterfield County Public Schools offers a wide variety of benefits to employees. Benefit offerings may differ based upon full-time and part-time employee status.
Chesterfield County Public Schools assures Equal Employment Opportunities for employees as required by Federal and State Orders and Laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position and does not imply an employment contract.
See All 70 School Counselor Jobs in Virginia
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Find School Counselor JobsSchool Counselor Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
School Counselor Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- YMCA15

- Magellan Health9

- YMCA of Greater Richmond7

- Loudoun County Public Schools4

- Henrico Education Foundation3

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in school counselor jobs across Virginia.
- Active Virginia school counselor license issued or recognized by the Virginia Department of Education
- Master's degree in school counseling or a closely related counseling field
- Completion of a supervised practicum or internship in a school setting
- Experience or coursework in college and career readiness advising
- Proficiency with student information systems such as PowerSchool or Synergy
- Strong knowledge of Virginia graduation requirements and postsecondary planning resources
School Counselor Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a school counselor in Virginia?
To become a school counselor in Virginia, you must earn a master's degree in school counseling from a program approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, complete a supervised internship, and obtain a Virginia Postgraduate Professional License with a school counseling endorsement through the Virginia Department of Education. Most applicants also sit for the Praxis School Counselor exam, which Virginia requires as part of the endorsement process.
Which companies hire school counselors in Virginia?
Employers hiring school counselors in Virginia right now include YMCA, Magellan Health, and YMCA of Greater Richmond, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's large public school divisions and community college system generate the most consistent volume of school counselor openings across the state.
Which Virginia cities have the most school counselor jobs?
Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Richmond have the most school counselor openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia leads because of the sheer size of Fairfax County Public Schools and neighboring divisions, Richmond draws openings from both its city schools and the surrounding Henrico and Chesterfield counties, and Virginia Beach anchors demand along the Hampton Roads corridor where multiple large school divisions operate side by side.
Are there remote school counselor jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. School counseling is fundamentally an in-person role, built around daily student contact, crisis response, and on-site collaboration with teachers and administrators. About 20% of school counselor openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to be in virtual school programs or district-level counseling coordination roles rather than traditional building-based positions.
How can I get hired as a school counselor in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to school divisions that offer provisional or conditional licensure while you complete your supervised hours. Fairfax County Public Schools, Richmond City Public Schools, and Virginia Beach City Public Schools regularly hire candidates who are completing internship requirements or who hold a provisional Virginia license. Coming from a related role such as a paraprofessional, social worker, or student services aide within a Virginia school division gives you an edge, as does holding a completed Praxis score before you apply.
Where can I find and apply to school counselor jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to school counselor jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from school divisions and other Virginia employers. Search the listings to see what is available right now, find roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 70 School Counselor Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find School Counselor Jobs