Middle School Social-Emotional Support Counselor

Position Summary

This is a full-time student support position working closely with administration, teachers, and parents while supporting and advocating for students. In addition, the counselor is part of the physical education/wellness team, using their current and evolving knowledge and research to design and implement a wellness curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for middle school-aged students to support their holistic well-being.

Primary Job Responsibilities

The key function of the Middle School Social-Emotional Support Counselor is to be a safe, supportive advocate from which all students can obtain guidance or short-term interventions.  The counselor provides a welcoming, supportive presence and proactively creates nurturing, supportive relationships with all students, meeting students where they are at developmentally, socially, and emotionally.  This person is also a resource for parents and caregivers, proactively communicating with families and working with the student support team on workshops, newsletters, and other parent education including providing referrals and recommendations as needed. The counselor supports faculty with mental health recommendations and classroom interventions, while regularly collecting data on student well-being. In addition, the counselor is part of the physical education/wellness team, using their current and evolving knowledge and research studies to design and implement a wellness curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for middle school-aged students. Finally, this person will participate in and lead various affinity and ally groups for middle school students.

Skills and Requirements 

A Master’s degree in a mental health field - a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or School Psychologist - is preferred.  Ideally, the candidate has 5 or more years of clinical experience. The candidate should be familiar with HIPPA regulations and reporting practices.  In addition, a Rowland Hall team member has excellent interpersonal skills,  a sense of humor, and a commitment to reflecting on their practices and continuously improving them. Strong candidates will also show interest in engaging with the school community while advocating for students, supporting parents, and collaborating with faculty and staff. In addition, the ideal candidate has:

• working knowledge of developmental process: social, emotional, and cognitive;
• comfort level and skill set working through crises including completing the Columbia suicide severity rating scale and safety planning; 
• experience interpreting psycho-educational assessments and creating interventions that align with testing recommendations;
• knowledge and understanding of the current state of the mental health world and well-being in middle school-aged children;
• be a self-starter and self-motivated, especially with regard to timely completion of paperwork and proactively engaging with teachers and students to support student wellbeing;
• demonstrates cultural competence in and a commitment to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• has a strength in curriculum development and innovative researched instructional practices;
• values and seeks out professional learning and development opportunities;

The requirements listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• lift up to 35 pounds; 
• be able to move around a classroom and outdoor space easily to support students in their work; 
• work in a team environment to support the strategic priorities of the school and be able to contribute in an organized and productive manner as a team member of grade level, division, and all school groups;
• be able to communicate appropriately and effectively with constituents, including students, families, and colleagues
• exhibit classroom management and organizational skills that balance a fun, creative environment for students while maintaining a safe learning environment.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to the Middle School Assistant Principal. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2024.  Applications for this position will be accepted through April 10, shortlisted candidates will interview with a hiring committee mid-April. Rowland Hall reserves the right to close the selection process early if a candidate is identified; applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Please click here for more information or to apply.

 

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