School Counselor & Behavioral Specialist (Pre-K8) Leave Replacement

School Counselor & Behavioral Specialist (Pre-K-8) Leave Replacement Far Brook School Short Hills, NJ Job Details Temporary | Full-time $60,000 - $75,000 a year 9 hours ago Benefits Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications School experience Individual therapy Master's degree Bachelor's degree Direct support

Full Job Description Position Summary:

The School Counselor & Behavioral Specialist supports the social, emotional, and functional well-being of students from Nursery 3s through Grade 8. This role serves as the primary architect for both emotional resilience and behavioral success. By combining short-term counseling with behavioral analysis, the Specialist ensures that all students—including those with behavioral challenges—can thrive within a progressive educational framework. This position requires a professional who can fluidly shift between facilitating classroom SEL lessons and designing structured interventions.

Core Purpose:

The primary goal of this role is to promote student emotional health while utilizing evidence-based frameworks to assess and address behaviors that impact learning or community safety. The Specialist provides proactive social-emotional leadership, conducts functional assessments, and partners with faculty to build consistent, inclusive, and structured classroom environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Direct Student Support & Counseling Provide short-term, solution-focused individual counseling for students navigating anxiety, peer conflict, identity development, and life transitions. Facilitate small-group counseling and "Lunch Bunches" focused on friendship skills, social-emotional regulation, and executive functioning. Conduct age-appropriate risk assessments and provide referrals to outside mental health providers as needed. Support students during critical transitions, such as middle school readiness or joining the community as a new student. Behavioral Assessment & Intervention Conduct formal Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) through observation and data collection to identify the root causes of disruptive behaviors. Design and monitor individualized intervention Plans with measurable goals, adjusting strategies based on data trends. Lead de-escalation efforts and develop safety or crisis response plans for students exhibiting persistent or high-impact behavioral needs. Maintain and evolve existing Student Success Plans to ensure continuity of care and behavioral consistency. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Faculty Coaching Develop and deliver SEL curriculum across multiple grade levels, focusing on empathy, regulation, and communication. Provide direct coaching and modeling for teachers on behavior management strategies, de-escalation techniques, and environmental adjustments. Offer professional development to staff regarding child development, mental health, and neurodiverse learning needs. Consult with teachers and administrators to integrate SEL principles into academic programming and classroom routines. Family & Community Partnership Meet with families to discuss social, emotional, and behavioral concerns, providing guidance on home-to-school consistency. Serve as the primary liaison between the school and outside therapists or service providers to ensure a unified approach to student support. Uphold the School's Statement of Purpose and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice in all interactions and program development.

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's Degree in School Counseling, Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, or a related field is required, with a Master's Degree strongly preferred. Candidates should possess a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a school setting, demonstrating proficiency in both therapeutic counseling and the implementation of structured behavior plans. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interpret complex behavioral data for faculty and families are essential.

Reporting Relationship:

This position reports to the Directors of Lower School and Upper School.

Benefits:

School Counselor & Behavioral Specialist (Pre-K-8) Leave Replacement role is a temporary, full-time, exempt position which provides eligibility for the following benefits:

• Medical benefits are available to full-time employees following 30 days of employment and include employer-paid contributions to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
• Vision and dental plans are available at the employee's cost.
• The School provides employer-paid life insurance (up to $50,000 in coverage) and employer-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Additional benefits include tuition remission, educational assistance, and participation in the School's retirement plan, subject to plan eligibility requirements.

Please note : Benefits are subject to change in accordance with plan documents and School policy.

Pay:

$60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Work Location:

In person