Student Services Counselor Jobs in Virginia
Student Services Counselor jobs in Virginia concentrate heavily in higher education, K-12 school districts, and community college systems, with demand at every level from entry-level academic advisors to senior student affairs directors. Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads metro are the largest hiring markets, anchored by major employers such as George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Fairfax County Public Schools. The most in-demand specialties include academic advising, college access and retention counseling, and career services for Title IV institutions. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 63+ Student Services Counselor jobs
Join First Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia, as a Director of Student Ministries, dedicated to equipping the congregation to engage and disciple Middle, High and College aged students through peer and multigenerational relationships.
Position Title: Director or Assistant Pastor of Student Ministries
Purpose: To help build the body of Christ at First Presbyterian Church by focusing on the faith development of middle and high school and college students. The director will recruit, lead, train and encourage students and congregation members, with an understanding that student ministry includes worship, education, spiritual development, evangelism, missions, service fellowship, and affirmation of youth and college students, and support for their families.
Minimum Qualifications:
● Wisdom and demonstrated history of developing ministry for students focused on the long term following of Jesus Christ and the tools to work through seasons of challenge or doubt.
● A deep and growing love for, faith in, and relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
● An affirmation of acceptance of the ECO Essential Tenets.
● A working knowledge and commitment to continued study of the scriptures and prayer.
● A commitment to worship and participate in the life of First Pres.
● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with advanced training for Assistant Pastor.
● Meet requirements of the child protection policy at First Pres.
● Preferred: at least 3 years of full-time church-based ministry, but will consider those with exceptional abilities or nontraditional career paths.
● An ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and work collaboratively with others in an encouraging manner.
● Experience recruiting and supervising covenant partners for student engagement.
● Experience managing paid staff (ex. interns) not required but desired.
Job Duties:
Collaborate with the Student Ministries Team to:
● Develop and maintain student ministry commensurate with the vision and needs of the church focused on the long term following of Jesus Christ and the tools to work through seasons of challenge or doubt.
● Build relationships with middle school, high school, and college students to establish and maintain their walk with Jesus and invest in their daily lives.
● Make calls and visits with youth and college students and families during times of need or significant moments.
● Connect First Pres covenant partners to relate to, disciple and support students.
● Implement, manage and run programs and activities to support the long term vision including Sunday school, bible study, confirmation class, retreats, camps, evangelism, mission engagement, service, and relationship-building activities.
● Communicate with students, families and appropriate involved parties about planned or ongoing activities coordinating with the Communications team and first utilizing resources and methods First Pres already employs.
● Update and maintain records of students, adult volunteers (including child protection review and updates), planned activities (calendar), curriculum use (either external or internally built), monthly activities report, meeting minutes, session reports, finances (including annual budget preparation and linked spending).
● Attend and lead/report at regular Student Ministries Team meetings (monthly), session and other committee/ministry teams meetings (as needed),
● Attend ECO/Christian training, classes, and conferences for spiritual and professional development.
● All other duties as assigned by the Pastor or Student Ministries Team.
Supervision: This position reports to the Pastor/Head of Staff.
Support: The person in this position may request the hiring of intern(s) toward specific programs or tasks that support key components of the student ministry from the Student Ministries Team. This person would be involved in the hiring and supervision of said intern(s).
Behavioral Expectations: Subordinate to The Great Commandment, the person in this role gives active and loyal support to First Presbyterian Church, its philosophies and objectives, and to abide by all church regulations and policies as stated in the ECO Policies and Procedures Handbook. All paid staff of First Presbyterian Church are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a Christ-centered manner. In addition, all staff are expected to perform their work for the Glory of God as directed in Colossians 3: 23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”
Job Type: Full-time
Designation of Exempt or Non-exempt: Exempt
Anticipated Days and Hours Worked: Sundays-Thursdays, as well as other times as necessary for ministry. The execution of normal duties and responsibilities will sometimes require 40+ hours per week and will include Sundays and Christian holidays. Incorporating appropriate sabbath time into your schedule should be planned with the supervisor and coordinated with the Student Ministry Team and other church staff.
Compensation: First Presbyterian Church compensates competitively both in terms of salary and benefits (health insurance, paid time off, professional development assistance). The range is based upon experience and is available upon request.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
See All 63 Student Services Counselor Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsStudent Services Counselor Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Student Services Counselor Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Virginia12
- Virginia Commonwealth University4
- Kids Club ABA3
- Liberty University3
- University Partners3
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Animal Care & Pet Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in student services counselor jobs across Virginia.
- Master's degree in counseling, student affairs, or a closely related field required
- Familiarity with Virginia Community College System or Virginia public university policies preferred
- Experience with FERPA-compliant student records systems and case management platforms
- Demonstrated ability to advise students from diverse backgrounds on academic or career pathways
- Proficiency with early-alert and student success software such as EAB Navigate or Starfish
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for individual advising and group presentations
Student Services Counselor Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a student services counselor in Virginia?
Most student services counselor positions in Virginia require at least a master's degree in counseling, student affairs, higher education, or a related field. Virginia does not require a state-issued license specifically for academic or student services counseling in higher education settings, though school counselors working in K-12 public schools must hold a Virginia Department of Education license. Candidates aiming at postsecondary institutions typically build their credentials through graduate assistantships and relevant internships before applying.
Which companies hire student services counselors in Virginia?
Companies currently hiring student services counselors in Virginia include University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Kids Club ABA, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Virginia's large public university system and sprawling community college network make it one of the more active states for student affairs hiring year-round.
Which Virginia cities have the most student services counselor jobs?
Charlottesville, Richmond, and Arlington consistently post the most student services counselor openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia's concentration of universities, community colleges, and large school districts drives the highest volume, while Richmond's anchor institutions such as Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond City Public Schools sustain steady demand, and Hampton Roads benefits from a dense cluster of military-affiliated education programs and regional universities.
Are there remote student services counselor jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're limited, since much of student services work involves in-person advising, campus presence, and relationship-building with enrolled students. About 35% of student services counselor openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in online program advising, virtual career coaching, and enrollment support roles at institutions with strong distance-learning offerings.
How can I get hired as a student services counselor in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a graduate assistantship at a Virginia public university, which provides direct advising experience alongside your master's program. Virginia's community colleges, including those in the Virginia Community College System, regularly hire academic advisors at the coordinator level for candidates who are close to completing a relevant graduate degree. Lateral moves from K-12 teaching, financial aid advising, or residence life roles are also common entry points, and Virginia Department of Education provisional licensure can strengthen applications to school-based positions.
Where can I find and apply to student services counselor jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to student services counselor jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Search for roles that fit your background, experience level, and preferred location across the state, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 63 Student Services Counselor Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs