Garrison Forest School is seeking an experienced and innovative individual for a full-time faculty position in our Upper School as the Upper School Counselor commencing August 2023. The Counselor is a part of the Upper School Administrative Team, working closely with the Head of Upper School, Dean of Students, and Dean of Academic Development, as well as teachers, students, and parents. This position reports to the Head of the Upper School and the Director of Counseling.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Garrison Forest seeks an Upper School Counselor with excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, a comfort with current educational and communication technology, and a willingness to collaborate. The Upper School Counselor may be asked to work as a consultant or counselor to other divisions and their populations as needed.

Duties and responsibilities will include the following:

• Provide direct mental health services to students, including individual, small group, and family meetings
• Consult with teachers, parents, and administrators regarding concerns about the social and emotional welfare of students
• Provide referral to outside mental health providers for students, families, and faculty and maintain case management where necessary
• Serve as a liaison between outside mental health providers and the school
• Provide case management for students who have external providers
• Provide on-call support for the boarding community
• Crisis intervention and safety management
• Serve on the Admissions Committee for the Upper School
• Teach Decision-Making classes to the 9th grade
• Coordinate the Peer Education program (which trains Upper School girls to teach health and ethics issues to Middle School girls)
• Organize parent education programs
• Meet weekly with Upper School Head and other administrators as needed

School Overview:

Garrison Forest School, located in Baltimore County, Maryland, is an independent, non-sectarian day and boarding school educating girls in grades K-12, with a coed preschool. GFS offers a national and international boarding program for girls in grades 8-12.  Founded in 1910 and set on a stunning 110-acre campus in suburban Owings Mills, Garrison Forest offers a program with a wealth of opportunities in Academics, the Arts, and Athletics.  Confident, creative and compassionate, GFS girls are encouraged to be fully engaged within the school and with the local and global community around them as they develop their passions and their own authentic voices in a spirited and joyful environment.

Candidates should support the Mission, Core Values, and Statement of Respect of Garrison Forest School. Garrison Forest School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or disability in its employment policies and other school-administered programs.  Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Application Process:
Candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: humanresources@gfs.org.  Information can be mailed to Vanessa Griffin, Assistant to the Head of School, Garrison Forest School, 300 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117. No telephone calls, please.

Qualifications:

• B.A. degree or equivalent – Master’s degree in Counseling or Social Work preferred
• Prior experience working with adolescents preferred
• Licensed in the State of Maryland
• GFS seeks candidates who will contribute to and are committed to diversity and multicultural educational practices. Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse community is essential.

About Garrison Forest School

Garrison Forest School is an independent, college preparatory, girls’ day and boarding school with a co-educational preschool located in Owings Mills, Maryland, minutes northwest of Baltimore City. Garrison Forest School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Connections working at Garrison Forest School