Career Center

Position:    School Counselor

Reports to:   Assistant Head of School Teaching and Learning

Objectives:

The School Counselor provides a critical layer of support to assist students, faculty/staff, and the parent community in fulfilling the school’s mission and strategic plan focusing on wellness. The School Counselor is committed to empowering students and faculty to lead healthy, balanced lives through preventive services, social and emotional support, crisis intervention, mental health outreach and educational services with a focus on the whole person.  

Responsibilities:

• Provide social and emotional support for self-referred and school-referred students in Preschool through Twelfth grade
• Provide crisis counseling to students and faculty, as necessary
• Assist the school in establishing and maintaining educational programs that encourage personal commitment to mental health and wellness
• Provide professional assistance and support to students during times of transition, heightened stress or other situations impeding school success (including social skills, conflict resolution, goal setting, and time management)
• Provide individual and group counseling, consultation and care to students, faculty, and parents 
• Refer students to specialized care as necessary and appropriate
• Coordinate and consult with outside professionals to support students
• Maintain and update list of health professionals and community resources
• Consult with and provide support to faculty, staff, and parents regarding individual students
• Maintain appropriate frequency of communication and updates with parents/guardians
• Prepare and implement parent education programs 
• Meet with new students to assess progress and needs
• Provide updates on counseling issues to the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning, appropriate Division Head, and as needed, the nurse or athletic trainers
• Meet regularly with the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning and Division Heads
• Hold in confidence all referrals and maintain a record of referral, keeping the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning and the appropriate Division Head informed of such referrals
• Maintain appropriate documentation in accordance with best practices for the counseling profession
• Consult with the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning as well as appropriate Division Heads in planning special events, including parent education and faculty/staff professional development,  in which counseling or student wellness is an integral part
• Cultivate a respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of school life
• Adhere to laws, policies, procedures, best practices and ethical standards of the school counseling profession. This includes the ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients’ privacy
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of School or Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning

Ability to:

• Work confidentially with discretion 
• Complete work independently in a timely manner with many interruptions
• Maintain positive relationships with faculty, staff, students, and parents 
• Utilize and navigate Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Calendar
• Maintain a calm, professional and positive attitude 

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or higher in Counseling, Psychology, or related field
• Prefer a Licensed Professional Counselor or Certified School Counselor
• Experience and skill working collaboratively to develop, facilitate, and coordinate prevention and intervention programs for adolescents

Experience and skill working collaboratively to develop, facilitate, and coordinate professional development and training programs for faculty and staff