School Counselor

School Counselor

German International School Boston is a bilingual independent school serving students aged 2.9 to grade 12. Learning at GISB is a multilingual, multicultural experience; graduates earn both a U.S. high school diploma and a German international Abitur. Working at GISB means being part of a school community where every role actively contributes to the overall experience of our students and families. As a private, mission-driven institution, we place a strong emphasis on academic excellence, community, and relationships, with the goal of creating a school where students and families choose to join us and remain with us throughout their educational journey. We value colleagues who take initiative, collaborate across teams, and engage with the life of the school. This can take many forms, from participating in events and supporting school development to contributing ideas and experiences that strengthen our community.

The School Counselor supports and educates elementary, middle, and high school students through a well-prepared counseling program. The School Counselor develops and maintains a counseling plan and is a member of GISB's Student Support Team. The Counselor provides quality Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) to all students and supports faculty to engage and support student growth and development.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an all-encompassing counseling plan
• Provide support services to individual students, small groups, and whole classrooms
• Develop and implement proactive programming for students and staff on social-emotional and mental health topics in grades pre kindergarten through 12th grade
• Regularly communicate with families and caregivers to support students' academic, emotional, and behavioral needs
• Always maintain discretion and confidentiality
• Execute GISB policies and procedures and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Support with the implementation of student learning accommodations as needed
• Engage in student crisis intervention and de-escalation as needed
• Lead social-emotional class lessons in grades 1-4 using the Open Circle curriculum
• Provide professional development to train teachers in SEL and collaborate with faculty and administration on social-emotional and behavioral student needs
• Provide referral to and serve as liaison between the school and outside agencies and clinicians as needed to support students
• Be aware of cultural differences when working with students and parents
• Maintain relevant documentation for students and consult with the School Nurse, Special Education Teacher, and College Advisor, as necessary
• Attend and participate in outside school events, field trips, etc.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Complete all required school trainings by the start of the school year (e.g., bullying prevention, mandated reporting, first aid, safety procedures, cybersecurity) in alignment with school policies and legal requirements
• Participate in professional development and required meetings, including Section Meetings, General Conferences, Back-to-School Week, Professional Development Days, and other school-wide gatherings.
• Provide student supervision throughout the school day, including lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and other assigned duties
• Engage in ongoing professional learning and remain current with educational best practices
• Collaborate with colleagues and the Student Support Team, including contributions to Individual Learning Plans, as applicable
• Participate in family-facing events such as parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and other school activities
• Maintain classroom or program materials and learning environments, including student displays that reflect and celebrate learning
• Follow school-wide systems, processes, and guidelines to ensure consistency and clear communication across the school
• Fulfill assigned working hours within the school day (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and maintain flexibility to support school needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, and peak periods during the school year

Requirements:

• A master's degree or higher in school counseling
• Passage of state-mandated tests, such as the Praxis Professional School Counselor exam
• State-issued credential or license to practice
• Completion of a supervised internship or practicum in a K–12 school setting
• Strong sense of responsibility, reliability, and commitment to the school's values and community

What We Offer:

• An inspiring, multicultural work environment with motivated colleagues and engaged families from around the world
• A collaborative and supportive team that values autonomy, independence, creative thinking, and pedagogical excellence
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• A 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions
• Opportunities for professional development
• Paid substitution hours
• The academic year is 180 days running from August 1 to June 30. Teachers are paid semi-monthly over 12 months
• GISB operates across two campuses. Occasional travel between campuses is an expected part of the role and may be required for meetings, general conferences, professional development, or other school-related responsibilities. Such travel is considered part of the employee's regular duties
• Generous scheduled school breaks throughout the year (October, December/January, February, April, and summer), which provide time for rest, planning, and professional responsibilities. Occasional availability may be required to support school needs

Equal Opportunity Statement:

German International School Boston is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: race; color; religion; national origin; genetic information; ancestry; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; marital status; sexual orientation; gender identity; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship status; veteran status; military service; application for military service; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. The School will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.