Transition Counselor Specialist - Office of Student Support Services (C140-2627)

POSITION: Transition Counselor Specialist

REPORTS TO: Assistant Director of Alternative Programming or Designee

POSITION SUMMARY: Transition Counselor Specialists will provide direct support to school–based staff to ensure the effective and successful transition of students from the middle years through the high school years. Transition Counselor Specialists will provide leadership in the development, operation, and integration of research-based transition initiatives focused on college and career readiness, including the development, integration, and monitoring of strategic action steps, which will yield an increase in the district graduation rate and students graduating with post-secondary plans. Transition Counselor Specialists, under the leadership of the Assistant Director of Alternative Programming, will collaborate with Executive Directors of School Leadership and other stakeholders to ensure the school-based adoption of district college readiness and career development standards. The scope of the work includes monitoring and assessing graduation and promotion data, post-secondary data, Student Success Plans, Hartford Promise initiatives and action steps, district goals, transition planning and Internship/Career Development.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop, monitor, and evaluate research-based programs focused on college and career preparation.

Implement and monitor systemic strategies to increase effective college and career pathways and support post-secondary planning.

Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of a structured, comprehensive approach to increasing academic and personal/social supports, aligned to the unique needs of the adolescent learner.

Develop and implement a research-based transition and comprehensive college and career awareness program for parents and community partners.

Provide professional development for Principals and all HPS staff related to Student Success Plans, transition, and topics related to college and career readiness.

Monitor and report on key data elements, such as high school completion and post-secondary attendance data.

Monitor community-based organizations that service the CCR needs of Hartford Public Schools.

Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Assistant Director of Alternative Programming and Chief of Academics.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/ABILITIES OF IDEAL CANDIDATE:

Master in School Counseling or related field.

A minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of Education in an urban school/school district.

High level technical skills, e.g. Microsoft products, data systems.

Demonstrated experience in providing effective professional development.

Experience creating performance measures and systems.

Knowledge of data collection and tracking procedures to monitor program outcomes.

Experience working with college and industry/business partners.

Knowledge of early college and dual credit models.

Excellent research skills.

Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.

Must be able to work within difficult time constraints and under stressful conditions.

Must be self-initiated and an innovative thinker within a collaborative team structure.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, teachers, staff, community and external partners.

Education & Certification Requirements: Candidates must have a conferred master’s degree from an accredited institution and must also possess and maintain the certification and/or licensure requirements for this position as established by the Connecticut state statutes; CT School Counselor Certification (068).

Salary and Terms of Employment: Pay will be commensurate with experience, educational level, and in accordance with the Hartford Federation of Teachers’ (HFT) Collective Bargaining Agreement salary schedule. The bargaining agreement salary range for the school year 2026-2027 is $61,955 to $114,267. To learn more about the HFT collective bargaining agreement please click here .

Evaluation: Evaluated annually

Union Affiliation : Hartford Federation of Teachers (HFT)

Application Procedure: To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application, which can be accessed through our Applicant Tracking System, Nimble, at https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford . Candidates’ application and supporting documents will be reviewed. Candidates will be contacted directly by hiring managers for interviews.

Want to learn more about opportunities in HPS? Join one of our monthly virtual information sessions .

An Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/V/D

Note: This posting does not necessarily reflect vacancies in the respective subject area and is solely intended to generate a talent pool for current and future certified teaching opportunities. The above description covers the principle duties and responsibilities of the position. The description should not, however, be construed as a complete listing of all duties or as a contract. In all cases, these relationships, functions, and their applications are subject to change by the superintendent of schools.

Hartford Public Schools (Hartford, Connecticut) is a diverse community of educators and 16,000 students attending 39 distinctive magnet, community, and neighborhood schools located in Connecticut's capital city. Our values are excellence, equity, inclusiveness, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. Our mission is to provide all students with the learning and support needed to succeed in school and life, and our shared vision is that all students will graduate prepared to transform our world.

"Set the bar. Meet the bar. Exceed the bar. Raise the bar!" is the motto of Hartford Public Schools' Superintendent and CEO, Dr. Andraé Townsel. We are committed to continuous improvement, knowing that consistent growth toward abundant academic proficiency and excellence will raise the bar for our students in Hartford.

Achieving this vision requires exceptional educators who share our commitment to every student. In HPS, we recruit and select diverse educators who are committed to our instructional vision : to develop students' individual academic, social, and emotional capacities and growth within the classroom and beyond. If this resonates with you and you're passionate about empowering students to reach their full potential, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now to explore opportunities with Hartford Public Schools. Passion and purpose thrive here!

We Value Our Staff…And It Shows

Hartford Public Schools is seeking excellent candidates and wants to provide the best experience for you. We have put together a comprehensive package of benefits and incentives.

Financial Incentives

Competitive Salary Range : $61,955 to $114,267

HPS Graduate Bonus : $2,500 for HPS graduates hired as full-time teachers (initial hire only)

National Board Certification Bonus : $3,500 annually

Tuition Reimbursement : Up to $4,200 annually

Residency Differential : 3% for teachers living in Hartford

Additional Benefits

Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance

5 Personal days per year; 17 Sick days per year

Life insurance (1.5x annual salary)

Loan forgiveness (State & Federal)

Access to Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) Alliance District Teacher Loan Subsidy Program

7-Hour teacher work day

New teacher induction

In-school mentor support

Employee perks (discounted tuition, tickets, etc.)

Join HPS & REPRESENT

Hartford Public Schools acknowledges that systems of injustice exist in our nation and our community. Our district is committed to addressing systemic barriers and creating a culture of equity that benefits all students. We are committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse team of culturally competent educators. We strive to have our team reflect the diverse perspectives of our families and community so that we can work together to overcome obstacles, close opportunity gaps, and prepare our students for continuous success.

HPS is a diverse community of scholars and staff—racially, socioeconomically, culturally, and beyond. Among our students, 86 languages are spoken, and 25% of our student population are Multilingual Learners. Over 85% of our students are students of color. At Hartford Public Schools, we work deliberately to recruit and hire staff from various backgrounds and from our local community—26% of our staff reside in Hartford. Among our teaching staff, 28% identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), compared to approximately 12% statewide.

HPS has career opportunities of all kinds in all of our schools. Come represent your community, your culture, and what's possible for our amazing students. When you work here, it's not just about making a living—it's about making a difference. And you don't just earn a paycheck—you earn lifelong respect.

Hartford is The Place to Be

The state of Connecticut is located on the northeastern seaboard. Hartford is within an hour's drive of the coastline and is centrally located between New York City and Boston. Hartford is one of America's oldest and most historic cities, made up of 17 unique neighborhoods rich in history and diversity. It is commonly known as the "insurance capital" due to its prominence beginning in the 19th century as home to many of the nation's most prestigious insurance companies, many of which still call Hartford home today. The city features world-class museums, entertainment, and sports venues and is home to several major companies. An array of restaurants reflecting cuisines from around the world attracts people from far and wide, and more than 200 arts, heritage, and cultural organizations in the Hartford region provide hundreds of events year-round. In addition, several universities and colleges are located in Hartford and the surrounding towns, offering easy access to advanced degree programs.