The Savannah Country Day School is seeking a Director of Counseling and Student Health & Wellness.  This individual will coordinate and manage the counseling programming and services for grades JK-12 and will oversee the School’s infirmary as well.  The Director will work to design and execute a vision that will support students’ social and emotional health and development throughout their educational experience. He/she will supervise the team of school counselors and nursing staff while reporting to the Head of School and serving as a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team.  This position is intended to start with the 2025-2026 academic year.

Typical duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Design and implement long-term vision and short-term goals for the counseling department, alongside a cross-divisional team of school counselors.
• Consult closely with Head of School, Division Heads, divisional leadership teams, faculty, and nurses in support of student mental health.
• Direct counseling services across divisions from Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade.
• Coordinate weekly departmental meetings to staff cases, consult, and plan programming in all divisions.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures for the Counseling Department that are consistent with ASCA ethical standards and best clinical practice.
• Develop and implement crisis intervention protocols, offering guidance and immediate support in times of crisis or emotional distress among students, staff, or the school community.
• Manage the counseling budget.
• Work with divisional counselors to oversee curricula related to social-emotional learning.
• Provide/coordinate educational programming for key stakeholders, including but not limited to employees, students, families, and caregivers on topics including student mental health, stress management, self-care, etc. 
• Offer professional development to faculty and staff around issues of student support, to include training faculty in the school’s Mandated Reporting procedures.
• Maintain and annually review the department’s list of counseling referrals; develop and maintain relationships with community mental health care providers.
• Serve as program lead for Sandy Hook Promise Anonymous Reporting System (a holistic program combining education about the warning signs of potential violence or self-harm with the tools to safely report concerns). Oversee implementation and education of program; managing the anonymous reporting system, staff and student training on program, club supervisor for SAVE Promise club.

Interested candidates can view more about the school on our website at https://www.savcds.org. 

Physical Demands:
Work is typically performed in a classroom or office environment, with intermittent sitting, standing, and walking in various settings.  Routinely lifts objects of a light to medium weight, up to 25 pounds. Full range of hand and finger motion may be utilized for data entry purposes.  

To Apply:
Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume (including references), and statement of educational philosophy to Melissa Banks, Human Resources Manager, mbanks@savcds.org.  

About Us:
Savannah Country Day traces its origins back to the 1905 founding of The Pape School, an institution long recognized for its academic excellence and college preparatory curriculum. Led by a group of visionary parents who saw the continued need for a first-rate college preparatory school in Savannah, the founders of Savannah Country Day built upon the assets of the Pape School and created a school with a recognized tradition of academic excellence across the southeast.  Today, Savannah Country Day School is Savannah's preeminent college preparatory school providing a rigorous, yet supportive learning environment for a wide variety of motivated learners. Enrolling over 1000 students ranging from infants to 12^th grade, SCDS is truly a family school.  Situated on a beautiful, 65-acre campus on the south side of historic Savannah, Georgia, SCDS has a 6:1 student to teacher ratio, an unparalleled arts program, and a full range of athletic and extracurricular opportunities.  Significant funds are available for faculty professional development and our faculty average 21 years of experience with 85% of Upper School faculty holding advanced degrees.

Inclusion at Savannah Country Day School: 
The Savannah Country Day School is guided by the school’s mission statement which includes:

• that each student's life is enriched in a diverse community where differences among people are affirmed and celebrated.

• that the school shares with families the responsibility for fostering in each student strength of character, a sense of personal responsibility, and an attitude of faith, reverence, and tolerance.

SCDS seeks candidates of all cultures and backgrounds who embrace the school’s mission of diversity, are eager to engage in the work of inclusion and have a desire to join a community of diverse individuals who celebrate their similarities while also recognizing their individuality.  

Equal Opportunity Employer

• Master’s or doctorate degree in counseling, school counseling, psychology, or a related field.
• Georgia licensure as a LPC, LCSW, or LMFT strongly desired.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience as a counselor is required; counseling experience in an academic/school setting is preferred.
• Flexibility and a desire to work with children and teens is required.
• Excellent communication skills and a willingness to function as part of the Senior Administrative team is desired.
• Attendance at evening and weekend functions is occasionally required.