How to hire a head counselor

How to hire a head counselor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step head counselor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a head counselor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new head counselor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your head counselor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a head counselor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a head counselor to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a head counselor that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of head counselors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Head Counselor	Description	Hourly rate
   Head Counselor	Recreation workers design and lead recreational and leisure activities for groups in volunteer agencies or recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, parks, camps, aquatic centers, and senior centers. They may lead activities such as arts and crafts, dance, sports, adventure programs, music, and camping.	$6-34
   Program Lead	A program lead is responsible for managing a business program's operation from its conceptualization to implementation. Program leads must have excellent communication and researching skills to monitor current industry trends, adjusting program techniques and strategies to meet society's demands... Show more	$28-82
   Activity Coordinator	An activity coordinator is someone who creates and plans activities, outings, and events in various settings. Typically, they oversee creating programs, staffing events, and supervising the implementation of activities... Show more	$13-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Camper Safety
   • Leadership
   • CPR
   • Role Model
   • Conflict Resolution
   • Staff Training
   • Incident Reports
   • Emergency Procedures
   • PowerPoint
   • Art Projects
   • Child Care
   • Summer Program
   • Camper Behavior Issues

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the dispute resolution/litigation process; responding to and resolving threaten litigation; responding to subpoenas and regulatory inquiries and investigations.
   • Complete full CPR training with certification.
   • Perform CPR and first aid when necessary.
   • Point person overseeing all phases of successful ACA accreditation visit.
   • Analyze product promotional initiatives, advisory board proposals, and medical education initiatives for fraud and abuse and FDA compliance.
   • Prepare ACA accreditation visit binder.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your head counselor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A head counselor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, head counselors' average salary in louisiana is 72% less than in maine.
   • Seniority. Entry-level head counselors earn 82% less than senior-level head counselors.
   • Certifications. A head counselor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a head counselor's salary.

   Average head counselor salary

   $15.22hourly

   $31,654 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level head counselor salary

   $13,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

4. Writing a head counselor job description

   A head counselor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a head counselor job description:

   Head counselor job description example

   With recent approvals in the US and Canada Amylyx Pharmaceuticals is launching a new drug for the treatment of adults with ALS.
   
   If you are looking for a place where your work can have a deeper impact than you ever imagined and where you can be true to yourself - Amylyx is the place for you!
   
   At Amylyx, we're bringing together talented people like you who are committed to solving for humanity's most devastating diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, and others-all in a uniquely supportive, respectful environment that rewards innovative thinking, committed teamwork, and boundless curiosity.
   
   Rediscover your purpose and reimagine your career at a company whose founders, mission, and culture are unlike any other in life sciences-in all the best ways.
   
   We provide a competitive employee benefits package including stock options and RSUs; flexible work options including hybrid and remote; discretionary time-off; comprehensive healthcare, including dental and vision coverage; and retirement savings benefits.
   
   In this newly created role, you will have the opportunity to build and lead a global legal contracts function Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer (General Counsel) you will play a key role in preparing and negotiating agreements across the entire organization. You will also perform general corporate legal work to support Amylyx' operation as a public company.
   
   We are looking for an experienced biotech/pharmaceutical industry contracts attorney with expertise across a broad range of agreements. Additionally, you will have a passion for partnering with internal teams dedicated to the advancement of science and innovation in drug development and patient care.
   
   You will independently manage workflows and projects, and partner with external counsel as needed depending on the complexity and/or sensitivity of agreements you are managing.
   Responsibilities: * Develop the contracting legal function and provide education and integration of policies and processes to company stakeholders, including: * Development of template agreements and alternative terms and negotiation practices * In partnership with finance oversee the contract processes and cycle time; recommend new processes/ improvements as needed * Implementation and oversight of a contracts management system * Prepare and negotiate agreements including, Master Service Agreements, clinical trial agreements, development and manufacturing agreements, sponsored research agreements, consulting agreements, confidential disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, and license and collaboration agreements * Provide proactive counseling to internal clients on the following: * Advising on contractual rights and obligations * Ensuring contracts are compliant with legal regulations and company policies * Risk management and allocation, and disputes * Provide legal support relating to business development activities as needed * Provide public company legal support including working with members of the legal and finance teams on SEC filings and oversight on the company's insider trading policies Requirements: * JD from accredited law school and license to practice in at least one US jurisdiction * Minimum 10 years' experience in contracts negotiation and administration in a biotech or pharmaceutical company required * Prior experience in a publicly held biotech or pharmaceutical company required * Prior experience leading/building a contracts function a plus * Ability to provide clear and concise contracts advice and partner with individuals at all levels of the company * Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to thrive in fast-paced environment * Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: Candidates should be aware that Amylyx's current COVID-19 policy requires that all newly hired US-based employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their employment start date. Amylyx may amend its COVID-19 policy going forward, including, but not limited to, requiring booster vaccinations. Amylyx is an equal opportunity employer. As required pursuant to federal, state, and local law, Amylyx will provide a reasonable accommodation to the vaccination requirement where vaccination is not a requirement of the role for which the employee is being hired and is not an undue hardship to the company. To stay connected with us, follow Amylyx Pharmaceuticals on LinkedIn. To return to our website please click here. Amylyx is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical matters), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Accommodations are available for candidates who require them in our selection process. If you need an accommodation, please let your Amylyx Talent Acquisition contact know.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right head counselor for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with head counselors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit head counselors who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your head counselor job on Zippia to find and recruit head counselor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting head counselors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new head counselor

   Once you've found the head counselor candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new head counselor. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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