Position Responsibilities
High School Counselor Role & Responsibilities
- Be a champion for a positive student life experience at SAS.*
- Provide personal counseling services to a broad range of students.**
- Provide academic counseling services to a broad range of students.***
- Foster a sense of student belonging by cultivating joy and purpose throughout the High School.
- Contribute to our commitment to extraordinary care by acting as an advisor for a small group of students and by teaching our advisory social-emotional learning curriculum.
- In collaboration with the college counselor, assist students in designing an academic program (ie., develop a class schedule, monitor progress, etc.).
- Review academic files of incoming students, determining course placement and potential learning support(s).
- Collaborate with School Psychologist on student, faculty, mental health / academic concerns.
- Encourage student involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Lead transition sessions for first-year & new students and parents to the school.
- Be a member of the SAS crisis team and assist during critical incidents.
- Work within the culture of the high school to support students and teachers.
- Collaborate with teachers on behalf of counselees.
- Collaborate with Admissions, College Counselors, Learning Support specialists and Administration.
- Keep accurate records for counselees.
- Attend Professional Learning Committee meetings and counseling department events, collaborating with colleagues on presentations, communications and meetings.
- Participate in the development and sustainability of Advisory and Peer Support Programs
- Create student support groups and activities as needed
- Strive for continuous self-improvement as a life-long learner.
- Model the Core Values in your interactions with all members of the school community.
- Lead and engage with students in meaningful activities beyond the learning spaces, which extend learning experiences for students (i.e. travel on Interim Semester, sports coaching, field trips, sponsorship of clubs, attend events beyond the school day, community service projects, etc.)
- Connect with and be available to parents and students during and outside of school hours (in person and via email communication)
*Must be a champion for the student life experience at SAS.
Personal and academic counselors must be committed to the mission and vision of the school, which calls for strong pastoral care and a positive student life experience. PAC counselors must be willing to do whatever it takes to ensure a positive SAS experience for ALL students in the high school.
**Must have a strong background working with students in a school setting, presenting with a range of mental health issues, including but not limited to: Anxiety, Self-Injury, Depression, Suicide Ideation, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse, Obsessive Compulsive, Esteem, Organization, Time management, Technology issues, Parenting difficulties (including crisis parenting issues), etc. The expectation is that a PAC counselor will be able to assess the level of severity/threat, plan short-term counseling support (6-8 sessions), triangulate services and support with parents, teachers, administrators, school psychologists, and mental health providers within the community. While not a long-term/ therapeutic setting, the expectation is that PAC counselors would be able to provide short-term support addressing mental health issues.
***Must have academic experience working with students. Duties include: Assisting students in designing an academic program, including but not limited to: a class schedule, a 4-year plan, resume building, regular monitoring of academic progress, completing career and interest surveys, and collaborating with teachers and parents regarding academic progress.
Position Requirements & Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Masters in Counseling or related field preferred.
- Experience working with a variety of students, parents and faculty in a school setting for a minimum of 3 years.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to adapt to flexible working conditions.
- Ability to provide lessons/presentations to parents, students and faculty.
- Ability to work in a collaborative setting with a diverse team (i.e, school leaders, counselors, learning support, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with high school students
- Experience working with high school scheduling systems
- Experience working in a diverse, multicultural environment
- Masters in school counseling
- Strong technological skills (similar platforms to Powerschool, Veracross, CPOMs, Maia Learning, basic Microsoft and Google experience)
- Some familiarity with the college admissions requirements and process
- Background using positive, proactive behavior interventions and support for students.
Working Requirements
- Sponsoring and/or coaching after school activities or sports are part of the responsibility of the professional educator. Therefore, faculty shall be available to coach and/or sponsor an athletic team or other extra curricular activity. Each faculty member is expected to do a minimum of one category 1 activity or sport per year.
- Mandatory attendance of weekly faculty meetings beyond the school day, new hire orientation and educator professional learning days.
- Chaperone and participate in a minimum of four evening and/or weekend school activities each year, as assigned (including Back-to-School Night, conferences, and more).
- SAS faculty members are expected to commit to chaperoning learning experiences including those requiring overseas and/or overnight excursions, including but not limited to High School Interim Semester and curricular trips.
