Upper School Counselor

Job Details

Level
Experienced

Job Location
The Calhoun School - Upper School - New York, NY

Position Type
Faculty

Education Level
Graduate Degree

Salary Range
$75,000.00 - $95,000.00 Salary/year

Job Shift
Day

Job Category
Education

The Calhoun School, a leading progressive, independent, co-educational day school in Manhattan, seeks a full time seeks an experienced educator to serve as Upper School Counselor. Reporting to the Upper School Director, the Upper School Counselor is a member of the Upper School Leadership Team and leads the division in developing and implementing programming and culture around decision making, communication and life skills, as well as character values.

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 parents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist students, administration, faculty and parents with intervention in academic and emotional situations by:
  • Facilitating ongoing communication among teachers, administration, parents and outside tutors and therapists
  • Working with administration and faculty to identify students in need of counseling and learning evaluations
  • Providing short-term counseling when emergencies arise
  • Participating in Upper School student life by actively engaging in the community (clubs, recess, advisory, field trips)
  • Providing insight during anecdotal sessions
  • Attending weekly Student Resource Team meetings
  • Making referrals for outside support and serve as a liaison with mental health professionals
  • Interviewing and maintaining lists of prospective therapists
  • Creating and maintaining files on students with need for support
  • Offering guidance and strategies to teachers and parents 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:
  • Work with the Upper School faculty to promote a positive emotional and academic climate in the school
  • Strengthen effective advocacy for student needs throughout the school
  • Promote constructive communication among all members of the community
  • Organize and run peer education programs and workshops, or groups on special needs (grieving, eating issues, substance abuse, coping with the illness of someone close, etc.)
  • Work closely with the Health Education teachers on curriculum and instructional activities (e.g. Upper School health) and on identifying resource materials for students and adults on health education
  • Offer assistance to parents through phone conversations, parent conferences and evening workshops
• Participate 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, sex and drug awareness meetings, workshops, informal conversations, etc.)

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

• Work with the directors to identify ways of improving faculty skills and identifying professional development opportunities (speakers, workshops, etc.)

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, teachers, administrators
• Excellent problem-solving skills, creativity, judgement, initiative and 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 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 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

PREFERRED

• Experience in Independent Schools

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 gender, sexuality, religious, ethnic, 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.

ALONG WITH AN APPLICATION, QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Statement of Educational Philosophy