University Liggett School seeks a Middle and Upper School Counselor with a background in school counseling to join its Middle and Upper School faculty. The counselor will primarily work with students and faculty in grades 6-12 and the Student Support Services Department to address the needs of students with learning differences. Together the team will proactively offer a specialized learning environment for students who are generally in the average to above average range of cognitive and executive functioning. The Middle and Upper School Counselor makes regular reports and recommendations to the Head of School and Division Heads regarding students and families. The Middle and Upper School Counselor will work closely with the Director of Medical Services, the Chair of the Student Support Services Department, the Division Heads, Middle School Dean of Students, and Upper School Dean of Students to build a positive environment and support the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral learning of all students through education, best practices, and culturally responsive, data informed prevention and intervention efforts. 

The ideal candidate for this position will be empathetic, organized, thoughtful, enthusiastic, creative; possess a keen sense of perspective and excellent listening and interpersonal skills; will collaborate with colleagues and engage in discussions about pedagogy and student concerns; and will have had significant experience working with children, parents, and teachers in a school setting. It is critical that the person who assumes this position be able to support students of diverse backgrounds and be a visible presence throughout the school community to build supportive relationships with all community constituents. This position reports directly to the Head of Upper School. 

Applicants should have a master’s degree or higher in school psychology, clinical psychology, counseling, or social work (MFT, LCSW, or certified school/clinical psychologist preferred). 

Responsibilities of the Middle and Upper School Counselor include, but are not necessarily limited to:

Navigate student well-being needs within the context of Middle School and Upper School academics

o   Outreach to students &/or parents as warranted

• Establish recurring contact sessions
• Keep open-door availability for impromptu contact sessions

o   Help faculty understand impact of mental health on academics

• Help faculty determine appropriate level of accommodation, modification, exemption, and/or alternative assignment(s) and due date(s)

o   Provide professional guidance

• Conduct classroom observations as requested
• Lead professional development 
• Facilitate parent meetings

o   Collaborate with school nurse &/or athletic trainer

Provide crisis management and support of the school community as needed

Serve as a liaison between school and treatment professionals in the external community

o    Provide referrals to private practitioners as requested

o    Support coordination of services with the Grosse Pointe Public School

      System

o    Assist at-risk students and families in identifying day-treatment, inpatient    

      and boarding programs

o   Report suspected abuse & neglect

Facilitate standardized testing accommodation requests with ACT and College Board

o   Educate students & families about this process, required supportive   

     documents, & timeline

o   Coordinate proctors for school-based testers

o   Proctor school-based testers

o   Proctor students with accommodations when Liggett is a test center

• PSAT-10 (spring), PSAT (fall), SAT (May)
• Coordinate with Director of College Guidance

Work with Student Support Team to facilitate student accommodations within the school

o   Develop accommodations necessary due to physical or mental illness

o   Contribute to program development that furthers the integration of social,   

     coping, and problem-solving in the classroom.

o   Offer support to faculty for students’ use of accommodations

• Cover class, provide alternate location

o  Provide organizational skill enhancement

Serve as a consultant to the admissions committee, as well as providing input in admissions evaluation and recommendations

Teach or coach as needed

Desired Qualifications and Qualities

• Licensed individual at master’s level or advanced degree
• 3+ years of professional school related experience
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and students while maintaining confidentiality
• Proven record of ethical professionalism and prompt communication
• Demonstrated capacity for high level of organization and leadership
• Maintenance of records in accordance with professional standards 
• Positive collaboration with others within and outside of the school 
• Flexibility for extended hours  

About University Liggett School

The oldest independent co-educational day school in Michigan, University Liggett School is among the preeminent PreK-12 institutions in the Midwest. Enrolling more than 600 students, University Liggett School offers a rigorous and innovative academic framework that allows students in every grade to find their passion and explore it in depth while developing creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and adaptability. This guiding philosophy is supported by a rich array of co-curricular programs and empowers students to drive their own academic experience, preparing graduates to flourish at some of the strongest colleges and universities in the country.  Concentrated class sizes and challenging academics shape students, giving them a keen sense of self while simultaneously fostering lifelong appreciation for and an understanding of learning.

The mission of University Liggett School is to empower students to develop intellectual curiosity, leadership and confidence to contribute to a complex and changing world. We challenge students to excel and to achieve their highest potential. We create opportunities for discovery and achievement by developing a faculty who foster the strengths of each student through the Curriculum for Understanding. We teach and practice the values of respect and responsibility in an emotionally and physically safe environment.

Contact Person

Qualified candidates should send a letter of interest, educational philosophy, and resume to Shernaz Minwalla, Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School at sminwalla@uls.org.

University Liggett School is committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body. It is the policy of the school to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, disability, veteran status, military service, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, height, weight, marital or familial status or any other status specifically protected by applicable federal or Michigan law. Candidates from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent schools are encouraged to apply.