School Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

School Counselor - Full Time

Stuart Hall School – Staunton, VA

Stuart Hall School, an independent Episcopal day and boarding school serving grades 6-12, seeks a full-time School Counselor to support the social and emotional well-being of all students. The School Counselor will create a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes student success and personal growth.

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic learning community that prizes curiosity and encourages its members to take intellectual risks in the pursuit of knowledge. The successful candidate will be a compassionate and experienced individual with a strong commitment to working with adolescents.

Position Highlights

The School Counselor's responsibilities include:

• Provide individual and group counseling to students addressing a range of social, emotional, and behavioral issues.
• Develop and implement preventative programs that promote student well-being, resilience, and positive mental health.
• Crisis intervention and management, including assessing and responding to student crises and mental health emergencies.
• Consult with parents/guardians regarding student concerns and provide resources and support.
• Refer students and families to outside resources when necessary.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to create a positive and supportive school climate.
• Work with classroom teachers to develop students' social skills and peer relationships; provide teachers with tools to support individual students and their needs in the classroom.
• Work with Residential Life Faculty to create necessary systems and structures to best support students in the boarding environment.
• Participate in weekly Student Support Team meetings.
• Advocate for student needs and promote a culture of inclusivity and respect.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records.
• Stay current with best practices in school counseling and professional development.
• Co-Teach sessions of 8th Grade Summit and/or Freshman Seminar courses, focused on effective executive functioning strategies and other topics as they relate to social emotional well-being.

General Responsibilities

• Involvement in the residential life program, which includes leading or chaperoning weekend student activities periodically throughout the year.
• Being available to residential life staff in an on call capacity, to address student emergencies.
• Serving in the afternoon AOD program, which includes being on duty from 3:30-6:00 PM one afternoon per week.
• Attendance at regular school gatherings such as chapels and all school meetings; at all faculty meetings and professional development days; and at major school events such as Orientation and Graduation

About the Candidates

Being aware that some individuals will not apply for a position unless they have all of the qualifications, this qualifications list has been written to encourage people with a range of experiences and backgrounds to apply.

Required attributes for all candidates

• Master's degree in School or Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of adolescent development, counseling theories, and best practices in school counseling.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with middle and high school students.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, families, faculty, and administration.
• Experience with crisis intervention and management.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Proficiency in using technology and student information systems.
• Valid driver's license required as well as ability to pass a background check.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to travel around various parts of the school building and campus. Some areas of the historic main campus are only accessible by stairs. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to allow employees to perform essential duties.

Preferred Qualifications (absences will not harm application)

• A LCSW, LPC, or comparable license.
• Experience working in an independent school.
• Candidates with previous experience and/or interest in boarding schools, including living on campus and being part of the School's residential life program, will receive strong consideration.

Why Stuart Hall?

Located in Staunton, VA , a vibrant small town frequently ranked among the best in the U.S., Stuart Hall offers a close-knit academic community, innovative curriculum, and a commitment to student growth . Our Staunton Is Our Campus initiative provides unique experiential learning opportunities.

A full job description, with additional details, is available in the link at the bottom of this page.

To Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter through our online application portal. Stuart Hall School values diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity . The School is an equal opportunity employer. The School provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and job applicants without regard to an individual's race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age, disability, genetic information or any other factor prohibited by applicable law. All aspects of personnel management – including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, recruitment, layoff, discipline, termination, compensation, benefits, training and working conditions – will be administered in accordance with this policy. Each employee is expected to do their part to maintain a working environment free of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

Position requires the ability to pass a background check.