Reporting to the Assistant Principal, the School Counselor is primarily responsible for supporting the emotional well-being of specific students (including referred, identified, or self-identified students) and the student body in general.

Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

•  Maintaining regular office hours to meet with students, families, and faculty/staff
• Providing crisis intervention and support services for students
• Maintaining on-going, confidential records of contacts and tracking emotional well-being of students
• Giving faculty and staff members guidance in handling specific student issues
• Working closely with the Assistant Principal in the development and implementation of proactive health and wellness programs, related curricula, and community resources
• Assisting the senior team, as needed, on certain projects (e.g. academic reviews of prospective students)
• Keeping the Head of School and his delegate(s) informed of student issues
• Support the school and its leadership
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Head of School or his delegate

Additionally, the school counselor will:

• Plan and execute programs (presentations, classes, group sessions, etc) that proactively enhance awareness of mental health; promote positive, healthy behaviors; and seek to remove the stigma associated with mental health issues
• Provide responsive services including internal and external referral procedures, short-term counseling or crisis intervention focused on mental health or situational concerns with the intent of helping the student return to the classroom and removing barriers to learning
• Recognize warning signs and respond appropriately
• Provide school-based prevention and universal interventions and targeted interventions for students with mental health and behavioral health concerns
• Educate teachers, administrators, parents/guardians, and community stakeholders about the mental health concerns of students and provide resources and information
• Adhere to appropriate guidelines regarding confidentiality, the distinction between public and private information and consultation
• Direct students and parents to school and/or community resources for additional assistance through referrals that treat mental health issues
• Help identify and address students’ mental health issues while working within the ASCA’s Ethical Standards; Competencies for School Counselors; and national, state and local legislation (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which guide school counselors’ informed decision-making and standardize professional practice to protect both the student and school counselor
• Seek to continually update their professional knowledge regarding the students’ social/emotional needs

Please email a cover letter addressed to Chris Arnold, Assistant Principal, and resume to employment@chicagoartsacademy.org.