School Counselor

Employee Classification: Exempt

Position Type: Full-time

Expected Hours of Work: Monday – Friday (8:00am-3:15pm)

Reports to: Director of School Counseling; Principal

Job Description:

The school counselor promotes access and equity by maximizing student success. They work to create a Mount school culture in which all learners can thrive. They help MSJA students to apply academic achievement strategies, to manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills, and to plan for postsecondary success. The School Counselor also holds responsibility for helping to manage ongoing documentation processes for all students at intervals throughout the school year and works collaboratively with the Student Support Team, families, and faculty to ensure students are progressing.

The Counselor role also includes responsibility for working collaboratively with other faculty members to provide strategies and support student achievement and success. Central to this work is gaining a strong understanding of individual student profiles and that access and equity are a priority.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support students in individual, small group, and classroom settings.
• Assist students with creating an academic plan and goal setting for their education.
• Teach classroom counseling lessons via Mount curricula.
• Devise and implement grade level specific advisory lessons with Advisory Leads.
• Help students plan for college and a successful career after graduation.
• Work with students to develop critical life skills such as organization and time management.
• Help students work through traumatic and difficult situations, such as a divorce or death in the family.
• Collaborate with other educators and administrators to ensure counseling programs meet school goals.
• Analyze data to identify students’ strengths, needs, and challenges.
• Monitor and record student progress to ensure counseling programs are effective by documenting interventions.
• Serve as a vital member of the Student Support Team and collaborate with families, students, administrators, and teachers to promote student success.
• Advocate for students at Individualized Education Plan meeting and other student-focused meetings.
• Provide referrals for long-term support and supporting students in-house with transition (new students).
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of School Counseling or Principal.

COMPETENCIES

• Understanding of independent school culture and the importance of mission and Catholic identity.
• A strong knowledge base in the organizational structure and elements of a successful school counseling program, in alignment with the ASCA National Model.
• Knowledge of the full continuum of mental health care services, such as prevention and intervention.
• Thorough understanding of barriers to student learning and the use of counseling strategies to eliminate those barriers.
• Knowledge of individual counseling, group counseling and classroom instruction that promote academic achievement.
• A full understanding of confidentiality and its importance in the process of serving students.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills as well as a proven ability to work with a diversity of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Outstanding judgment and maturity.
• A very high level of energy, creativity, and flexibility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Prolonged periods standing, walking, sitting, reaching, and computer/technology-use throughout the working period.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds.

REQUIRED EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Master's in Counseling preferred.
• Experience in secondary schools, strongly preferred.