School Counselor, Toddler-Grade 5

Job Description

Job Description

Reports directly to: Director of Early Learning Center and Lower School

Department: Early Learning Center (ELC) and Lower School

Position type: Full-time Exempt, 10-month contract

Location: Antilles School, 7280 Frenchman Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802

The School Counselor plays an important role in supporting the social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental well-being of Antilles School students in Toddler through Grade 5. This role provides direct student support, implements developmentally appropriate social-emotional learning, and partners with faculty and families to help children thrive within a safe, inclusive school community.

The counselor works collaboratively with the Division Leadership team of the Early Learning Center and Lower School, classroom teachers, learning support colleagues, administrators, and families to identify student needs, coordinate appropriate support, and promote positive school culture. The role includes individual and small-group counseling, classroom lessons, crisis response, consultation, and participation in the Student Support Team process.

Ideal candidates are warm, child-centered, culturally competent, and skilled at building trust with young children and adults. They bring strong communication skills, sound professional judgment, discretion, and a commitment to the school's mission of fostering excellence, diversity, and community.

Core Responsibilities

Student Counseling & Social-Emotional Support

• Provide short-term individual and small-group counseling to support students' social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs

• Respond to student concerns with empathy, discretion, and developmentally appropriate interventions

• Support students in building self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, conflict-resolution skills, and healthy peer relationships

• Provide crisis response and follow-up support in partnership with school leadership and appropriate outside professionals

• Use restorative, strengths-based, and culturally responsive practices to support student growth and belonging

Counseling Program & Classroom Support

• Plan, implement, and evaluate a developmentally appropriate school counseling program for Toddler through Grade 5

• Teach social-emotional learning lessons and provide classroom-based support in partnership with teachers

• Support positive behavior practices, mindfulness, character development, and age-appropriate problem-solving routines

• Maintain knowledge of current research, trends, ethical standards, and best practices in elementary and early childhood counseling

• Contribute to SEL program planning, advisory/community-building efforts, and schoolwide student wellness initiatives

Collaboration, Family Partnership & Student Support

• Build positive, professional relationships with students, families, faculty, staff, and administrators

• Consult with teachers and families to share appropriate strategies that support students' social-emotional and academic development

• Participate in the Student Support Team process and collaborate on accommodations, referrals, and follow-up plans

• Coordinate referrals to outside providers when additional evaluation, counseling, or specialized support is needed

• Communicate with families in a respectful, timely, and partnership-oriented manner while maintaining appropriate confidentiality

Ethics, Confidentiality & Professional Practice

• Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential student records in accordance with school procedures and applicable laws

• Understand and apply professional ethics and legal responsibilities related to school counseling, including confidentiality, mandated reporting, ADA, FERPA, and HIPAA as applicable

• Advocate for students' dignity, safety, inclusion, and full participation in the life of the school

• Use bias-aware, developmentally appropriate observation and support practices when interpreting student behavior and needs

Community & Professionalism

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support a positive, cohesive, and inclusive school environment

• Participate meaningfully in faculty meetings, professional development, student support meetings, and school events

• Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, sound judgment, and active engagement throughout the school day

• Promote the School, its mission, its philosophy, and its programs

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in school counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field preferred

• School counseling certification, licensure, or comparable professional credential preferred

• Experience providing counseling or student support services in an early childhood, elementary, or school setting preferred

• Strong understanding of early childhood and elementary child development, social-emotional learning, and student wellness frameworks

• Knowledge of and ability to apply the ethical standards and principles of the school counseling profession

• Commitment to inclusive school practices, cultural competence, equity, justice, and the dignity of each child and family

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with students, families, colleagues, and outside providers

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage confidential information, priorities, documentation, and follow-up in a dynamic school environment

• Proficiency with educational technology, Google Workspace, and school-based student information or communication systems

• Warm, child-centered approach with strong interpersonal skills, discretion, flexibility, and a growth mindset

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a dynamic, diverse school environment

Antilles School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and school needs. Antilles School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local laws.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process due to a disability may contact us to request assistance. Information received related to accommodation will be treated confidentially.

This job posting is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Antilles School reserves the right to modify job descriptions or job postings at any time, as business needs may dictate.