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Middle School Counselor

The Calhoun School, a leading progressive, independent, co-educational day school in Manhattan, seeks a full-time experienced Middle School (5th-8th grade) Counselor. Reporting to the Middle School Director, the Middle School Counselor is a member of the Middle School Leadership Team and leads the division in supporting students' social and emotional well-being. The ideal candidate for this position possesses counseling and classroom teaching skills and has experience in a school setting working with students, as well as working with and assisting faculty and families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist students, administration, faculty, and families with intervention in academic and emotional situations by:
- Facilitating ongoing communication among teachers, administration, families, and outside tutors and therapists
- Working with administration and faculty to identify students in need of counseling and evaluations
- Providing short-term counseling when emergencies arise
- Participating in Middle School student life by actively engaging in the community (clubs, recess, advisory, field trips)
- Providing insight and expertise during anecdotal sessions
- Attending weekly Student Resource Team meetings
- Making referrals for outside support and serving as a liaison with mental health professionals
- Interviewing and maintaining lists of prospective therapists
- Creating and maintaining files on students with a need for support
- Offering guidance and strategies to teachers and parents/guardians for dealing with a variety of social and emotional issues

Serve as a resource to the community on adolescent and pre-adolescent issues and, in the process:
- Working with the Middle School faculty to promote a positive emotional and academic climate in the school
- Strengthening effective advocacy for student needs throughout the school
- Promoting constructive communication among all members of the community
- Organizing and running peer education programs and workshops, or groups on special needs (grieving, eating issues, substance abuse, coping with the illness of someone close, etc.)
- Working closely with the health education teachers on curriculum and instructional activities (e.g., Middle School health), and on identifying resource materials for students and adults on health education
- Teaching or co-teaching life skills courses
- Offering assistance to families via phone calls, parent conferences, and evening workshops
- Developing and implementing programming and culture around decision making, communication, life skills, and character values.
Participating in day-to-day activities that will ensure the counselor's accessibility to students and adults (e.g., orientation programs, trips, open houses, faculty meetings, workshops, informal conversations, etc.)

Assisting the Admissions Office with reviewing files of prospective students with psychological or learning issues and, if appropriate, contacting their outside support specialists.

SUCCESS FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES

Attentive Listener
Flexibility and a desire to collaborate
Insight into developmental stages and generational conflict issues
Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities with adolescents, parents/guardians, teachers, and administrators
Excellent problem-solving skills, creativity, judgment, initiative, a strong sense of humor, and the ability to see things from a "glass half full" perspective
Ability to organize, manage, and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work well in a busy and sometimes noisy environment
Commitment to progressive education and the core mission and values of the school

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

5 or more years of demonstrated experience in school social work, school counseling
Graduate degree in Clinical Psychology, School Counseling, Social Work, or a related field
Active New York licensure or certification in one of the following is required: Licensed Psychologist or Certified School Psychologist; Licensed Social Worker or Certified School Social Worker; or Certified School Counselor
Demonstrated commitment to and engagement in work around identity, equity, diversity & inclusion

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY WORK

Calhoun is committed to addressing issues of social justice, diversity, equity, and anti-bias education in our curriculum and in our community. Employees must be willing learners and participants in supporting this work.

Calhoun is committed to recruiting, hiring, and supporting a diverse staff and welcomes applicants of all genders, sexualities, religions, ethnicities, racial and cultural identities. Calhoun does not unlawfully discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of one’s actual or perceived race; color; religion; sex/gender (including gender identity); creed; sexual orientation; marital status; pregnancy; ethnicity; national origin; ancestry; age; disability.

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