Christina Seix Academy, an independent Pre-K to 8th grade school, is seeking an experienced counselor for the 2023-2024 school year. Our purpose is to empower extraordinary young people to grow "From Potential to Achievement” by addressing the systemic educational and other barriers that have historically held back children from marginalized communities. We are proud to employ a culturally diverse faculty that is reflective of our diverse student population. 

The School Counselor will support social emotional learning, mental health and wellness of students and adults in the CSA community. Christina Seix Academy supports students from an integrative and strength based approach. We are looking for an empathetic and caring counselor who is passionate about advocating for wellness and mental health. This is a full time position that will be part of the Child and Family Wellness department.

Responsibilities will include:

School Culture

• Create positive environment with high “joy-factor” so that students are excited about and invested in their academic excellence;
• Set and hold students to extremely high academic and behavioral standards;
• Develop strong partnerships with families to ensure student success;
• Build rapport with students both inside and outside of counseling sessions;
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure a rigorous, joyful, and safe environment across the entire campus;
• Participate in school-wide events, including committees, celebratory moments, athletic and parent facing events;

Job Specific

• Work year-round from 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday (and occasional Saturdays); 
• Ability to work some evenings for support and programs;
• Assess students mental health needs, develop recommendation for treatment and provide tier support services;
• Provide in person and virtual individual/group counseling sessions, intakes and assessments, to students and families using evidence-based best practices;
• Facilitate couples, families, individuals, and groups sessions as needed;
• Collaborate with students, teachers and parent to develop strength based treatment plans;
• Perform crisis intervention for emergency situations and provide outside referrals as needed;
• Provides students and families with regular feedback regarding student’s progress and helpful strategies/coping skills to be practiced at home;
• Provide consultation services for instructional and administrative staff regarding students with social emotional learning, mental health and academic difficulties;
• Plan, develop, coordinate, and facilitate professional development workshops;
• Facilitate social emotional learning curriculum and preventive programs;
• Collaborate with internal departments and community agencies to support student outcomes;
• Understand students’ academic day, home environment and family dynamics;
• Establish trust and positive relationships with parents, while providing ongoing communication of student progress;
• Write and maintain confidential case notes and reports;
• Assess needs to plan appropriate treatment plans and interventions;
• Remain flexible in choosing and changing interventions, as appropriate;
• Work effectively in a one-to-one and group counseling relationship
• Demonstrate appropriate ethical behavior;
• Participate in school-wide events and committees

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental and vision insurance at no cost
• 401k with employer match
• 10 PTO days  and 5 sick leave days
• 5 Wellness Days
• Free meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Free dinner for family
• Regular, in house professional development
• Additional professional development assistance
• Life insurance
• Parental leave
• Relocation assistance

Physical and Emotional Demands:  Work is active; it may require long periods of standing and walking, as well as occasional sitting, reaching at or above shoulder height, twisting, pushing/pulling and stooping/bending/lifting to perform activities with students and staff; must be able to work in an open-concept environment where noise and other activities may at times interfere with concentration. Must be able to alter plans/routines when unexpected, stressful situations and multiple interruptions occur without projecting stress/frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Christina Seix Academy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, veteran or handicapped status in its hiring policies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in counseling or social work services
• 3 or more years of experience working with children and adults in related field
• Clinical experience working with diverse populations
• NJ school counseling standard certificate
• NCC Certification & LAC, LPC
• CACREP accredited program highly preferred
• Bilingual highly preferred
• Telehealth ethical standards informed
• Knowledgeable about ethical and legal best practices

Required Characteristics and Traits :

• Collaborative and eager to partner with parents, faculty and other departments;
• Willing to adapt to changes in schedules to accommodate students and families;.
• High emotional and social intelligence;
• Empathetic toward unique circumstances;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to facilitate difficult conversations;
• High level of professionalism;
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; 
• Ability to handle multiple projects and dynamic priorities without missing a beat;
• A highly curious individual with a growth mindset;
• Social justice minded individual committed to making a difference;
• Sustained commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; 
• Model traits and behaviors that embody the CSA TRENT values: tenacity, responsibility, enlightenment, nobleness and truthfulness.

About Christina Seix Academy

The Christina Seix Academy is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit boarding Pre-K through 8th grade school serving children of single parent caregivers with acute financial need. Our vision as an organization is to provide a strong education, critical core values, and a safe environment, enabling students to become future leaders in their communities and beyond. The Academy is located in Trenton, New Jersey, approximately forty-five minutes from Philadelphia and one hour from New York City, and serves students within approximately 15 miles of campus, from Princeton to Pennsylvania. The Academy’s operational and educational philosophy places the school at the forefront of educational policy innovation. More information can be found at www.christinaseixacademy.org.

Connections working at Christina Seix Academy