SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Location: Richmond, VA Job Category: Regular Full-Time Job Classification: Administrative FLSA Status: Exempt Salary Range: 60,000-65,000 Start Date: July 1, 2026 POSITION DESCRIPTION Sabot School, a progressive Preschool-Grade 8 school in Richmond, and a leader in the Reggio Emilia Approach®, seeks a School Counselor to support our growing community. The School Counselor is a key member of the Learning Support Services Team and supports the social, emotional, behavioral, and academic well‑being of students across Early Childhood, Lower School, and Middle School. This role works collaboratively with students, families, faculty, Program Directors, and school leadership to foster a healthy, inclusive, and supportive school environment where children can thrive in all domains of development. In addition to providing direct student support, the School Counselor serves as the primary coordinator for student accommodation plans and helps streamline and strengthen school‑wide support services. This includes managing accommodation plans, coordinating student support processes, partnering with outside providers, and helping define a clear and consistent structure for student support across divisions. This position requires a warm, relational, highly organized professional who understands child development, values collaboration, and can help shape a comprehensive and proactive support model for the school. While this position is year‑round, the pace of work varies throughout the year. Learning Support Coordination & Accommodation Plans Serve as the lead coordinator for student accommodation plans and support plans across the school Manage the review, development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of student accommodation plans Ensure clear documentation, communication, and consistency of accommodations across divisions and teaching teams Partner with faculty and Program Directors to ensure accommodations are implemented effectively and appropriately Review psychoeducational, neuropsychological, and educational evaluations and translate findings into practical classroom strategies Facilitate student support meetings, serving as an advocate for the student, and help guide decision‑making around student interventions and next steps Coordinate referrals to outside providers, evaluators, therapists, and specialists when appropriate Help define, strengthen, and streamline the school’s Learning Support Services structure across all divisions Partner with school leadership to create clear systems and protocols for student support referrals, intervention planning, accommodations, and follow‑up Collaborate with the Learning Support Services Team to ensure continuity of care and support for each and every student Develop systems for monitoring, documenting, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and support services Participate in crisis management and student support planning Student Support Provide short‑term individual counseling and check‑ins for students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or academic challenges Facilitate small group counseling and social skills groups as needed Support students with emotional regulation, friendship challenges, conflict resolution, anxiety, school transitions, and developmental concerns Conduct classroom observations when concerns arise and collaborate on appropriate support plans Help create proactive strategies that support student success across school settings Support conflict resolution and restorative practices when appropriate Family Partnership Partner with families to support student well‑being and development Meet with parents/guardians to discuss concerns, provide guidance, and collaborate on support strategies Help families navigate referrals and outside support services Faculty Collaboration Partner with teachers, Program Directors, and administrators to support student needs Consult with faculty regarding behavioral, emotional, developmental, and academic concerns Provide strategies and recommendations for classroom support and student success Collaborate on academic planning as well as goal setting, including behavioral plans, transition planning, and student interventions Support faculty understanding of accommodations and inclusive classroom practices Social‑Emotional Learning & School Culture Support the implementation of social‑emotional learning practices across divisions Provide classroom lessons and group experiences related to emotional regulation, friendship skills, identity development, executive functioning, and resilience (based on ASCA standards) Help foster belonging, wellness, and healthy relationships across the school community Provide parent and faculty education opportunities related to student wellness and development QUALIFICATIONS Education & Experience Master’s degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field required Licensure or certification appropriate to counseling role preferred Minimum of 3–5 years of experience working with children and adolescents in a school setting preferred Strong knowledge of child development from early childhood through adolescence Experience managing student accommodation plans and collaborating around learning support services strongly preferred Experience reviewing educational evaluations and supporting classroom accommodations preferred Strong understanding of student support systems, accommodations, and collaborative intervention planning Excellent communication, organization, and relationship‑building skills Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in school communities Experience in an independent school setting preferred PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to stand, walk, and move around for extended periods during supervision and activities, both indoors and outdoors. Ability to lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to 15 lbs. Capability to walk up and down two flights of stairs. Ability to respond promptly to emergencies, which may involve running, lifting, or assisting children to safety. Alertness and ability to supervise children during physical activities, such as outdoor play, while ensuring a safe environment. #J-18808-Ljbffr