School Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Would you like to work for a non-profit organization where your contributions make a major impact on the lives of children and families?

Elk Hill's private day schools prioritize individual student needs to enhance social and emotional well-being, enabling students to engage effectively with the academic curriculum. At Elk Hill, we believe every child is unique and deserves a secure, caring, and a safe environment to grow and mature. We provide intensive services tailored to students' social, emotional, and academic needs, utilizing specific strategies and tools to foster a sense of well-being. This approach ensures students are ready for blended learning opportunities, including computer-based, small group, and large group settings.

Elk Hill was honored as a 2026 Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace. These awards are based solely on employee feedback and recognize the great culture that exists at every level of the organization.

If you want to work for a Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace organization where your decisions can impact youth and families of Central Virginia, then Elk Hill Farm, Inc. is the place for you!

We are an organization that:

• Is honored as a 2026 Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace
• Is a Top Workplace Meaningfulness Award recipient
• Has talented, hardworking employees
• Advocates for mental health issues
• Offers competitive benefits, pay, and pet insurance for full-time staff
• Provides a generous time-off and holiday package
• Offers a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match for full-time staff
• Provides tuition assistance
• Elk Hill is celebrating 50+ years of supporting youth and families across the Commonwealth of Virginia! Stability. Adaptability. Longevity.

Primary Function of a School Counselor : To foster academic, personal, social, and career development which will enable students to make positive changes in attitude, values and behavior utilizing strengths-based treatment modality.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct individual counseling sessions, with documentation, per IEP requirements or as needed
• Facilitate morning group
• Provide group counseling and/or growth groups
• Work closely with referring agencies and guardians, keeping them informed both verbally and in progress reports and participate in student meetings when appropriate.
• Model high professional standards in interactions with students, families, agency workers and staff members
• Work towards annual goals for personal and professional development
• Assist in trainings
• Assist in pre-placement interviews
• Work cooperatively with staff to improve the quality of the Elk Hill program
• Work to promote an atmosphere of openness, honesty and understanding among students staff, and other persons associated with Elk Hill Farm, Inc.
• Demonstrate a high level of competence, motivation and commitment as a staff member
• Assist fellow staff members with identifying and resolving student issues, needs and problems; serve as a resource for students and staff
• Support crisis interventions such as mandated reports and risk assessment
• Participate in guardian/teacher conferences.
• Possess and utilize a knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity and the impact of various socioeconomic characteristics on our youth
• Perform duties within ethical scope of practice and abiding by ACA core values
• Be a positive role model at all times
• Build positive, caring relationships with youth
• Advocate the rights of youth
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date student files
• Keep up to date on professional training
• Participate in administrative planning/duties as appropriate
• Other duties as needed or assigned by the Head of School

Organizational Relationships:

• Responsible to/Direct Supervisor - the Head of School

Core Competencies and Experience:

• Experience with relevant documentation processes and ability to complete required documentation in a thorough and timely manner
• Experience working with youth
• Ability to collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure positive outcomes for youth
• Possess leadership qualities and have experience working independently

Credentials and/or Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work/Counseling/Psychology/Education and counseling related experience required; Master’s Degree in Social Work/Counseling/Psychology/Education preferred
• Must have up-to-date certification in the facility’s Behavior Management Program and have the willingness and ability to apply such skills as needed and/or required in the day-to-day interactions with youth
• Must have up-to-date certifications in approved courses for CPR/First Aid
• Maintain certification in REVIVE! Naloxone administration training (or similar) and be willing to administer naloxone in the event of a suspected opioid overdose
• Possess a valid driver's license and maintain a driving record that meets Elk Hill’s requirements for driving on behalf of the organization
• Sense of humor

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability and willingness to physically perform all functions of the facility’s Behavior Management Program
• Good physical health
• Ability to traverse inside and outside of the property and other locations including uneven terrain
• Periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds, regularly lift up to 15 pounds

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Periodic transportation of a client as needed or required
• Periodic travel to other locations as needed or required

Inclusive culture is at the forefront of what we do at Elk Hill, and we enforce respectful communication and cooperation between all. Elk Hill does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. It is the policy of Elk Hill to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or candidate with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship for Elk Hill. Contact Human Resources for more information.

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities or actions may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Elk Hill Farm, Inc. reserves the right to change or reassign job duties or combine positions at any time.