High School Personal Academic Counselor

Position Responsibilities

High School Counselor Role & Responsibilities

Personal

• Be a champion for a positive student life experience at SAS *

• Provide personal counseling services to a broad range of students **

• Create tiered student support groups and activities as needed

• Act as an advisor for a small group of students and by teaching our advisory social-emotional learning curriculum

• Collaborate with School Psychologists on student mental health / academic concerns

• Lead transition sessions for students and parents who are new to the school

• Be a member of the SAS crisis team and assist during critical incidents

• Participate in the development and sustainability of Advisory and Peer Support programs

• Connect with and be available to parents and students during and outside of school hours (in person and via email communication)

• Foster a sense of student belonging by cultivating joy and purpose throughout the High School.

• Model the Core Values in your interactions with all members of the school community

• Strive for continuous self-improvement as a life-long learner

• Lead and engage with students and families in meaningful activities beyond the learning spaces, which extend learning experiences for students (i.e. attend student/family events beyond the school day)

Academic

• Provide academic counseling services to a broad range of students ***

• 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)

• Encourage student involvement in extracurricular activities.

• Collaborate with teachers on behalf of counselees for their academic needs

• Liaise with Admissions, College Counselors, Learning Support Specialists, and Administration in service of student success

• Maintain accurate records for counselees

• Attend Professional Learning Committee (PLC) meetings and counseling department events, collaborating with colleagues on presentations, communications and student SEL seminars
  

*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 provide all students access to appropriate supports 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 executive function and mental health challenges, including but not limited to: anxiety, self-Injury, depression, suicide ideation, eating disorders, substance abuse, obsessive compulsive, esteem, organization, time management, technology-related 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), and 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 high school academic counseling experience. Duties include: Assisting students in designing an academic program, including but not limited to: a class schedule, a 4-year plan, 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

• Experience working in a diverse, multicultural environment

• 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:

• Masters in School Counseling

• Experience working with high school students 

• Experience with high school scheduling systems

• International school counseling experience

• Has participated in professional development for Child Protection, Crisis Intervention, and MTSS

• Experience using ISCA, ASCA, CASEL or other curriculum related SEL standards 

• Strong technological skills (similar platforms to PowerSchool, CPOMs, Toddle, 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 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

• 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.