Education Counselor

Key Responsibilities

Education and Career Counseling

The Education Counselor performs the following education and career counseling tasks to support Service Member academic achievement, career progression, and program eligibility determination.

• Provide individual and group counseling services on education, career progression, credentialing, and transition opportunities for Service Members and their dependents. 
• Assess client eligibility for education programs and evaluate academic readiness and potential for success; recommend appropriate remediation strategies when necessary. 
• Determine, document, and maintain client education goals and develop individualized plans to achieve those goals; monitor and track progress toward completion.
• Advise clients on military and civilian education pathways, including degree programs, vocational training, and certification opportunities. 
• Deliver guidance on education benefits, including Tuition Assistance, Post 9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), and the Forever GI Bill. 
• Assist Service Members in navigating and completing requirements within ArmyIgnitED and other military education systems.
• Facilitate enrollment in current and emerging Army Continuing Education System (ACES) programs in support of the Soldier Life Cycle and Transition Assistance Program (TAP).

• Escalate help desk cases, Tuition Assistance (TA) requests, military withdrawals, and course approval actions to the Education Services Officer (ESO) or Education Services Specialist (ESS) when government approval is required, ensuring actions are completed within designated timelines. 

• Provide information on Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Scholarship opportunities and additional funding resources 
• Assist Service Members in navigating and completing requirements within ArmyIgnitED and other military education systems such as Army Career Tracker (ACT)
• Provide counseling and application support for specialized programs such as Green to Gold, the Health Professions Scholarship Program, Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP), and Inter-Service Physician Assistant Program (IPAP)
• Assist clients in completing requirements for admissions into military schools, commissioning, and other Army Career Programs
• Provide individual end of course counseling and interpret results of any GT predictor test authorized by the Army
• Analyze test results and integrate findings into counseling sessions to support educational and career planning.
• Review and evaluate official education transcripts to identify qualifying coursework; calculate applicable credits and determine eligibility for promotion points; and prepare accurate promotion points and related memoranda in accordance with Army policies and procedures.

Briefings

The Education Counselor executes the following briefing tasks to inform Service Members of available education benefits, funding opportunities, and program requirements.

• Communicate complex program requirements clearly to diverse audiences, ensuring understanding and compliance.
• Prepare and conduct educational briefings, orientations, and workshops, including but not limited to: 
  • Tuition Assistance policies and procedures 
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 
  • Functional Academic Skills Training (FAST) 
  • Inter-Service Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) 
  • Scholarship opportunities and funding resources 
  • Installation-level welcoming briefings 

Records Management and Reporting

The Education Counselor carries out the following records management and reporting tasks to maintain accurate data and support program oversight.

• Maintain and update Service Member education records with accuracy and timeliness. 
• Prepare, compile, and submit required usage and program reports in accordance with contract and Army requirements. 
• Utilize systems such as Customer Assistance Tracker (CAT), Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), Obligation Adjustment Reporting System (OARS), and other required platforms to manage data and reporting functions.
   

Administrative Support

The Education Counselor performs the following administrative support tasks to ensure efficient day-to-day operations within the education center.

• Perform general administrative and clerical duties, including data entry, answering phones, responding to emails, and directing customers to appropriate resources. 
• Support office operations by maintaining organized records, documentation, and workflow processes. 
• Ensure compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.

Compliance and Security

The Education Counselor executes the following compliance and security tasks to protect sensitive information and ensure adherence to governing regulations.

• Safeguard sensitive information, including PII and FERPA-protected student records, in accordance with federal regulations and Army policies. 
• Immediately report any non-compliance or security violations related to data protection, testing procedures, or program requirements. 
• Adhere to all applicable regulations governing education services, testing protocols, and information security.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree from a college or university that is accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U. S. Department of Education. The degree will include or be supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in one or a combination of the following: Test and Measurement, Education, Guidance and Counseling, Psychology, Career Planning, Educational Program Administration, Curriculum development or design, Teaching Methods and Occupational Information. OR deemed qualified by degree Bachelor’s/M.Ed./Ph.D. in specialized education series. Must be capable of obtaining a favorable Tier 1 Background Investigation. Broad understanding and training in handling sensitive material. Strong comprehension and ability to navigate military web-based systems/programs and Microsoft Office, or similar programs.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) status in Germany. Under NATO SOFA provisions, individuals considered "ordinarily resident" in Germany may not be eligible for SOFA sponsorship. "Ordinarily resident" generally refers to individuals who reside in Germany as their normal place of residence and have established personal, social, or economic ties independent of U.S. military, civilian, or contractor orders. Examples include individuals with German residency permits, permanent local residency, or employment on the local economy not connected to U.S. Government assignment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status.   MES, LLC takes affirmative action in support of its policy to recruit, hire, and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.  Please click on the link below to view a federal government poster that explains your Equal Employment Opportunity Rights. http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/poster.cfm.

MES, LLC is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

This job is a civilian position and does not require military service (including commission and enlistment).