School Counselor
Ursuline Academy
Dedham, MA (In Person)
Full-Time
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Job Description
Ursuline Academy seeks a compassionate, collaborative, and student-centered School Counselor to support the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development of students in grades 7, 8, and 9. Through individual counseling, small-group support, seminar-style instruction, consultation, and collaboration with families and school personnel, the School Counselor helps students navigate the opportunities and challenges of early adolescence while fostering resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth. Working closely with members of the School and College Counseling team, faculty, and administrators, the School Counselor develops and delivers a comprehensive counseling program grounded in best practices in adolescent development and social-emotional learning. The ideal candidate is an organized and relationship-focused professional who demonstrates sound judgment, strong communication skills, and a commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive, and student-centered environment consistent with the mission and values of Ursuline Academy. Key Responsibilities Student Counseling & Support Provide individual and small-group counseling to support students' academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development. Help students establish and achieve personal, academic, and social-emotional goals. Monitor student well-being and identify students who may benefit from additional support or intervention. Provide crisis assessment, intervention, and follow-up support as appropriate. Maintain counseling records and documentation in accordance with professional and ethical standards. Counseling Curriculum & Student Development Develop and deliver developmentally appropriate counseling programming for students in grades 7 and 8 focused on social-emotional learning, wellness, executive functioning, resilience, self-advocacy, healthy relationships, and decision-making. Facilitate seminar-style lessons and other programming that supports students' social-emotional growth and developmental needs. Collaborate with school leadership to evaluate and enhance counseling initiatives and student support programming. Collaboration & Student Support Services Collaborate closely with faculty, administrators, and School and College Counseling colleagues to provide coordinated support for students. Consult with teachers and administrators regarding student concerns, accommodations, interventions, and support strategies. Participate in student support meetings and contribute to the development and implementation of intervention plans. Partner with families and outside providers, as appropriate, to support student success and well-being. Assist students and families through key school transitions, particularly the transition from middle school to high school. Professional Responsibilities & Community Engagement Stay current on best practices in school counseling, adolescent development, and social-emotional learning through ongoing professional development. Participate actively in the life of the school through faculty meetings, committees, student activities, field trips, service opportunities, and community events. Foster a supportive, inclusive, and student-centered environment consistent with the mission and values of Ursuline Academy. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by school leadership in support of the Academy's mission and strategic priorities. Working Conditions This is a full-time, academic-year position performed primarily on campus in a school environment. The School Counselor regularly interacts with students, families, faculty, administrators, and outside professionals and must maintain confidentiality while managing sensitive information and responding appropriately to student needs. The School Counselor is expected to exercise sound judgment, maintain professional discretion, and respond effectively to changing student and school needs. The role requires the ability to remain stationary for extended periods during counseling sessions, meetings, and documentation, as well as frequent movement throughout campus to attend meetings, provide classroom instruction, and support students. The position involves managing multiple priorities in a dynamic educational setting and may require occasional evening or weekend attendance at school events, meetings, professional development activities, and other community programs. As an active member of the Ursuline community, the School Counselor is expected to participate fully in the life of the school and contribute to a positive, collaborative, and student-centered environment. Required Education & Experience Master's degree in School Counseling, School Adjustment Counseling, or a closely related field 3+ years of experience in a school counseling, student support, or related role, preferably working with middle school students. Knowledge of adolescent development, social-emotional learning, and student support practices. Experience implementing or supporting a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with recognized professional standards (ASCA National Model) Successful completion of all required background checks. Preferred Qualifications Massachusetts licensure as a School Counselor and/or School Adjustment Counselor. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), or comparable clinical credential. Experience facilitating classroom lessons, advisory programs, or social-emotional learning curricula. Application Instructions Ursuline Academy invites interested candidates to submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and interest in the role.