Job Overview
Jackson Walnut Park School seeks a compassionate, collaborative, and student-centered School Counselor to support the social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of students in our Montessori Early Childhood and Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 6) divisions.
The School Counselor plays an important role in fostering a safe, inclusive, nurturing, and supportive learning environment where students feel a strong sense of belonging and are supported in their academic, social, and emotional growth.
Working collaboratively with students, families, faculty, administrators, and members of the Student Support Team, the School Counselor provides short-term individual and small-group counseling, classroom Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) instruction, consultation, student observations, intervention planning, referrals, crisis support, and school-wide wellness initiatives.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of child development, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and the unique needs of preschool and elementary-aged children.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide short-term individual and small-group counseling to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, developmental, or school-related concerns.
- Build positive and trusting relationships with students while promoting emotional safety, resilience, belonging, engagement, and student wellness.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6, including classroom lessons and a K–6 SEL scope and sequence.
- Observe students in classrooms and other school settings, assess social-emotional and behavioral needs, and develop, implement, and monitor appropriate intervention and student support plans.
- Serve as an active member of the Student Support Team (SST) and collaborate with administrators, teachers, learning support staff, families, and outside providers to support student success.
- Consult with faculty regarding child development, classroom management, student behavior, social-emotional development, restorative practices, and effective intervention strategies.
- Support the social-emotional and developmental needs of children in the Montessori Early Childhood program through student observations, consultation with teachers and families, interventions, referrals, and participation in Student Support Team meetings.
- Assist students and families during important transitions, including new student onboarding and the Grade 6 transition to secondary school.
- Support school-wide initiatives related to character education, kindness, empathy, conflict resolution, restorative practices, digital citizenship, student wellness, and a positive school climate.
- Maintain accurate and confidential counseling records, intervention plans, and student documentation in accordance with school policies and applicable legal, ethical, and professional standards.
- Coordinate referrals to outside mental health professionals and other service providers and collaborate with families and providers, as appropriate.
- Collaborate with administrators and appropriate school personnel regarding crisis response, student safety concerns, and other urgent student needs.
- Participate in student arrival and dismissal coverage, lunch or recess duties, monthly faculty meetings, professional development programs, and other assigned school responsibilities.
- Contribute to the broader school community by assisting with school programs, projects, events, and initiatives with a collaborative and flexible “see-a-need, fill-a-need” approach.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field preferred.
- Massachusetts School Counselor license or eligibility for licensure.
- Experience working with children in preschool, early childhood, elementary school, or similar educational settings.
- Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed practices, social-emotional learning, student mental health, and evidence-based student support practices.
- Experience providing individual and small-group counseling to children.
- Ability to develop and deliver developmentally appropriate classroom SEL instruction.
- Strong assessment, observation, problem-solving, intervention planning, and documentation skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills and the ability to build trusting relationships with students, families, faculty, administrators, and outside professionals.
- Ability to handle sensitive student and family information with confidentiality, discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism.
- Commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment that respects and supports students and families from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a mission-driven school community.
- Commitment to the mission and values of Jackson Walnut Park School.
Why Join Jackson Walnut Park School?
Jackson Walnut Park School offers the opportunity to work in a mission-driven educational community committed to supporting the academic, social, emotional, and developmental growth of children.
The School Counselor will have the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with students and families, collaborate closely with educators and school leadership, contribute to the continued development of the School’s social-emotional learning program, and make a meaningful impact on the well-being and success of students.
Jackson Walnut Park School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive community for students, employees, and families.
Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
