School Counselor

SUMMARY:

The Stratford School Counselor assists the Administration and Teaching staff through the development and execution of a school counseling program. The role participates collaboratively and professionally with other faculty and staff to promote the general well-being of the school and the collective/individual interest of its staff and student body. The School Counselor is responsible for serving as a resource to the school, focusing on both faculty/staff and parent support to assist with interventions in academic and social-emotional situations. The School Counselor promotes professional learning through self-assessment, reflection on practice, and professional conversations.

Location: Stratford School- Fremont-Osgood Campus

Salary: 80K-85K

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Vacation and Sick Time, Employee Tuition Discount

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Educational Responsibilities:

• Support the school’s Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs

  • Oversees the development and delivery of lessons to promote respect, responsibility, self-esteem, problem-solving, effective communication, etc.

  • Provides activities that actively engage students in learning tasks, which are related to curriculum goals and school SEL goals.

• Provide short-term school-based counseling (individual or group setting) for middle and high school students

• Offer guidance and strategies to teachers and parents for supporting students with a variety of social and emotional issues, including drafting and implementing behavior plans as needed.

  • Makes recommendations for outside support on an as-needed basis.

• Develop educational workshops, speaker series, and other internal programs to meet student and parent needs.

• Work with the school leadership and student council to plan events such as Kindness Month, anti-bullying campaigns, community service, etc.

• Model teacher/student interactions that reflect politeness, warmth, praise and cooperation. 

• Promote cooperation, buddy systems and a willingness in students to help each other.

Professional Responsibilities:

• Maintain accurate data and records when communicating with students, parents and teachers about intervention plans, reasonable accommodations, and progress reports.

• Maintain active affiliation with a professional community while continuing to grow and develop professionally.

• Assist with school admissions and marketing events such as Open House.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education and Credentials:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Education, or equivalent required. 

• Master’s degree in school psychology or related field in clinical psychology or school counseling preferred.

• Previous experience working in a school setting is preferred.

• Experience in implementing or developing Social Emotional Learning programming is preferred. 

Essential Skills:

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and communication skills. Creates a responsive and productive working relationship with parents, children, teachers, other staff and the local community through remaining accessible, and communicating clearly and concisely.

• Possesses an ability to deescalate high-emotion situations and find common ground between conflicting viewpoints.

• Utilizes technology to effectively communicate with staff, parents and the administrative team. 

• Demonstrates strong organizational skills, flexibility, and a willingness to continually learn and improve skills.

Physical Requirements:

• TRAVEL: This position is shared between two Stratford School campuses. Must be able to travel by motor vehicle to both sites each week (3 days at one site and 2 days at the other).

• Frequent speaking and listening (50-75%) to staff, children and parents. Must be proficient in speaking, writing and reading English to include reading and comprehending policies and procedures, and being able to correspond in English.

• Frequent walking and standing (50-75%).

• Frequent repetitive or fine hand movements (50-75%).

• Frequent use of computer keyboard and mouse (50-75%).

• Frequently working with arms above shoulder level and reaching (50-75%).

• Often bending, squatting, stooping, reaching, kneeling, rising from the floor, twisting to interact with children (25– 50%) [K-5th grade]; occasional bending, squatting, stooping, reaching, kneeling, rising from the floor, twisting to interact with children (10– 25%) [6th– 12th grade].

• Occasional carrying and lifting 25 pounds or less (25– 50%) and limited carrying and lifting 25-50 pounds (10-25%).

• Occasional climbing of stairs, playground equipment, ladders (10-25%).

• Limited operation of vehicles (5-10%). 

• Employee is regularly required to speak, hear and use clear vision with or without correction.