Upper School Counselor, Beginning 2024-2025 Academic Year

Collegiate School seeks an enthusiastic and dedicated Upper School Counselor to serve as one of two mental health professionals in the Upper School who collaborate with divisional faculty and administration to foster student development and well-being.

This is a full-time, benefitted position, 10-month faculty position reporting directly to the Head of the Upper School.

General Responsibilities include:

• Offer personalized counseling support directly to students, communicating as appropriate with faculty, staff, and families
• Serve as a resource for teachers in their work with students.
• Collaborate with individual teachers and the Student Support Team to identify and address specific student needs
• Respond to mental health crises and provide ongoing support to students and families while collaborating with community resources
• Facilitate referrals to community providers, communicating with outside professionals to ensure continuity of care for students
• Teach classes in support of the Health and Wellness curriculum.
• Assist students in their transition from 8th to 9th grade
• Present as part of the JK-12 parent education programs and student retreats
• Serve as an integral member of the JK-12 counseling team
• Partner with administration on school policies and programs related to mental health

Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications and competencies:

• A Master’s degree, preferably in professional counseling, school counseling, social work, or a related field
• Experience in counseling teenagers
• Ability to develop strong rapport with students
• Ability to maintain accurate records and confidentiality
• Enthusiasm for professional growth
• Commitment to broad participation in school life
• Strong communication, collaboration, and consultation skills
• Experience in and commitment to the ongoing development and maintenance of an inclusive campus community.
• Demonstrated interest in working with teenagers and in valuing diversity with a goal of ensuring belonging and inclusion are rooted in the day-to-day experiences of students and their families.

Required Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate the School’s shared purpose; builds trust among colleagues; is accountable; lives up to commitments.
• Proven cross cultural competency skills demonstrating self awareness, awareness of others and the ability to adopt inclusive perspectives, attitudes and behaviors to drive inclusion and belonging in the ongoing development and maintenance of an inclusive campus community.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to a servant leadership model focusing on the growth and development of the team to successfully fulfill shared goals.
• Understands the big picture and handles areas of responsibility in a manner consistent with the School’s mission and values. Offers assistance within the office especially during busy times.
• Relates to the Collegiate community including faculty, staff, students, parents and applicants in a cooperative manner.
• Meets deadlines, demonstrates effective use of time and handles multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Understands the need for growth and is receptive to constructive feedback.
• Maintains confidentiality at all times.

It is critical that candidates demonstrate a commitment to the School’s Core Values and Mission

HONOR

Personal integrity and devotion to the truth, which make one trustworthy, forthright, responsible and fair.

LOVE OF LEARNING

A creative spirit that promotes intellectual and personal growth through exploration, inquiry and openness to change.

EXCELLENCE

A sustained commitment to meeting high standards of character, achievement and personal accountability.

RESPECT

Fundamental regard for the dignity and worth of each individual.

COMMUNITY

A commitment to responsive and compassionate citizenship and service on campus, in the local community and in the broader world.

Who we are

Collegiate School is a co-educational, independent day school located in Henrico County, within 20 minutes of downtown Richmond, Virginia, for students in Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade. For more than 100 years, Collegiate has nurtured inquisitive thinkers, responsible citizens, and compassionate leaders. Grounded in the values that have sustained it over the course of more than a century, Collegiate provides its nearly 1,700 students with an engaging academic environment dedicated to preparing them for a globally connected and changing world.

The essence of Collegiate School is the richness of relationships among students, faculty, parents, administrators, and alumni in a dynamic learning community with high personal and academic expectations. This exceptional educational environment enables students to develop their potential for intellectual growth, leadership, and service.

Why Collegiate?

Collegiate School is well-regarded for developing students into citizens who lead, serve and shape the world. We do so with the help of a caring faculty and staff who also have opportunities to lead, serve and shape the world, through the young lives they touch.

Below are just a few examples of some of the great advantages of working at Collegiate:

• Excellent professional development opportunities for faculty and staff
• Collaborative working environment
• A rich employee benefits package (which includes free lunch!)
• Opportunities for growth and leadership
• An environment that fosters creative and innovative instruction

The School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, pregnancy or related pregnancy condition, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, genetic information, traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, or any other status protected by applicable law. Employment decisions at the School are based on merit, qualifications, and skills.