School Counselor

Position Summary:

The School Counselor is responsible for creating a culture of nurture and accomplishment, as well as managing and enforcing school behavioral expectations in congruence with school-wide mission and goals. 

The School Counselor partners with the Head of School, Upper and Lower School Heads, Director of Student Services, Dean of Students, and School Nurse in overseeing the developmental and emotional health and well-being of students in the Rumson Country Day School. 

The School Counselor is available to create developmentally appropriate social/emotional programming, provide emotional support, and provide crisis intervention and mental health services to students whose emotions may be affecting their ability to have success in the school setting.

Reports to: The School Counselor reports to the Head of School.

Oversight and Responsibilities:

Conduct weekly Social Emotional Learning activities in the lower school classrooms

Conduct weekly Advisory/SEL activities for middle school students
Provide short term counseling and crisis interventions to students as needed

Assist staff with the creation and alignment of classroom student behavioral expectations and classroom management plans

Work with teachers in tracking, counseling, and assisting struggling students

Consult and collaborate effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, and
administrators regarding students with identified concerns and needs

Refer students who have ongoing emotional issues to qualified psychologists or licensed social workers

Act as the school liaison with students’ outside mental health professionals

Provide appropriate information to faculty and staff regarding students’ specific emotional needs and mental health, as appropriate

Engage in ongoing professional development relevant to the position

Support the School and its mission, maintaining a high degree of professionalism at all times

Remain abreast of current laws and ethical standards as they relate to student safety and emotional health; assist in ensuring school compliance with said laws and standards

Qualifications:

A postgraduate degree in psychology, school counseling or social work is required

Must be able to work independently

Minimum 2 to 5 years prior experience in a school or mental health setting is
preferred

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Must follow all school policies as specified in the faculty handbook

Adheres to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school
counseling profession 

Benefits:

Full-time, 12-month exempt position. Eligible for medical benefits, paid time off, and 403b retirement plan, as well as 50% tuition remission for employee children (up to 3 children per employee). 

Conditions of Employment:

All school employees must be fingerprinted and pass a background check in accordance with New Jersey law.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

The Rumson Country Day School is a non-profit corporation accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools. RCDS does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in its admissions or employment, or in the administration of any of its programs. Candidates are encouraged to apply directly by email, according to individual job descriptions.