This position will support the Early Childhood and Lower School divisions.

Role and Purpose:

The Counselor provides a critical layer of support to assist students, faculty/staff, and the parent community in fulfilling the school's mission and strategic plan focusing on wellness. The Counselor is committed to empowering students and faculty to lead healthy, balanced lives through preventive services, social and emotional support, crisis intervention, mental health outreach and educational services with a focus on the whole person.

Responsibilities:

• Provide social and emotional support for self-referred and school-referred students in Preschool through Twelfth grade, including specific divisions as determined by the school.
• Provide crisis counseling to students and faculty, as necessary
• Assist the school in establishing and maintaining educational programs that encourage personal commitment to mental health and wellness
• Provide professional assistance and support to students during times of transition, heightened stress or other situations impeding school success (including social skills, conflict resolution, goal setting, and time management)
• Provide individual and group counseling, consultation and care to students, faculty, and parents
• Design, implement, and deliver developmentally appropriate guidance lessons aligned with campus goals. Topics include, but are not limited to Social-emotional learning (SEL), Emotional regulation and coping skills, Conflict resolution and peer relationships, digital citizenship, and study skills/organization.
• Refer students to specialized care as necessary and appropriate
• Coordinate and consult with outside professionals to support students
• Maintain and update list of health professionals and community resources
• Consult with and provide support to faculty, staff, and parents regarding individual students
• Maintain appropriate frequency of communication and updates with parents/guardians
• Prepare and implement parent education programs
• Meet with new students to assess progress and needs
• Provide updates on counseling issues to the Assistant Head of School, appropriate Division Head, and as needed, the nurse or athletic trainers
• Meet regularly with the Assistant Head of School and Division Heads
• Hold in confidence all referrals and maintain a record of referral, keeping the Assistant Head of School and the appropriate Division Head informed of such referrals
• Maintain appropriate documentation in accordance with best practices for the counseling profession
• Consult with the Assistant Head of School as well as appropriate Division Heads in planning special events, including parent education and faculty/staff professional development, in which counseling or student wellness is an integral part
• Cultivate a respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of school life
• Adhere to laws, policies, procedures, best practices and ethical standards of the school counseling profession. This includes the ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients' privacy
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of School or Assistant Head of School

A Qualified Candidate Will Possess:

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Psychology, or related field
• Valid Licensed Professional Counselor or Valid Texas School Counselor's Certification
• School counseling experience required
• Must pass a criminal background check and have positive verification of reference

About The Oakridge School

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