Licensed/Certified Guidance Counselor - Harmony Heights Day School

Staffing Solutions Organization LLC (SSO), an affiliate of Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG), is focused on delighting clients with world-class managed staffing and talent consulting services. SSO is committed to a diverse workforce, which is a reflection of our clients and the people they serve.

Guidance Counselor - East Norwich, NY

Harmony Heights Day School

SSO is seeking qualified Guidance Counselors to support the social and emotional needs of students, staff, and families in NY nonpublic schools. Guidance Counselors will provide direct services to students as well as consultation, training, and coaching for school staff and families to support individual, school, and community needs. The Guidance Counselors will ensure equal access to core curriculum for all students by addressing social, emotional, mental, and behavioral health needs and by improving the overall school climate and culture. The Guidance Counselors will develop and assist school staff to implement inclusive and targeted mental health and behavioral interventions, and an integrated social emotional instruction.

There will be both full-time and part-time opportunities for this role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with school staff including social workers, counselors, and other school- and community-based mental health staff.
• Serve as a liaison between school building(s) and teams, families, and community and to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
• Support school level curriculum, standards, and social, emotional, and mental health goals to improve student outcomes.
• Promote inclusivity and equity for all students by providing professional development in integrated SEL instruction, behavior interventions, culturally responsive practices, and classroom management.

• Provide and coordinate consultation, training, coaching, and support to staff, parents, and administrators to apply best practices in social and emotional learning.
• Conduct site-based needs assessment and design programs and interventions in collaboration with school leadership.
• Work directly with students through SEL and mental health groups or individual work to teach foundational social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health skills, such as self-awareness and self-management; work with students may be direct or in cooperation with classroom teachers and counselors.
• Design, develop, and implement school- and community-based programs aligned with the CASEL Framework and delivered for students and youth preschool-high school in school and/or community settings. Services may include:
  • Whole group sessions provided in classroom or community settings.
  • Small group sessions in classrooms or community settings.
  • 1:1 sessions with students to address identified need(s).
  • Provide integrated supports during instructional time.
  • Develop and implement mentoring strategies such as check-in/check-out.
  • Consulting, modeling, professional development, training, and resources for school staff to support integrated social emotional curriculum and/or strategies.
  • Parent and family sessions to provide guidance on supporting social and emotional needs of students at home.
  • Small group or individual family sessions to support identified focus area.
• Keep detailed records and collect data to monitor program implementation and student progress and provide written reports.
• Provide student counseling in areas such as alcohol, tobacco and other drugs/alcohol issues, family relationships, career and financial counseling, school attendance, and peer relationships.
• Assist with support for students and staff dealing with the social, emotional, and mental health impacts of COVID-19 suicide prevention and suicide risk assessment and follow-up.
• Establish and maintain ongoing communication with families to foster partnerships and promote family engagement.
• Provide the above services and assistance while sensitive to the lived experiences and expectations of the specific population served.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Empathetic and compassionate individual who embodies the unwavering belief that every child deserves, and can have, expert instruction and that all team members must be positive advocates for the student.
• Adhere to legal and ethical requirements of the profession and remain current in best practices.
• Knowledge of evidence-based programs aligned with the CASEL Framework and understanding of best practices in implementing integrated services.
• Respect for diversity and ability to effectively communicate with families, school staff, and communities from various backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs.
• Communicate information to school staff effectively and demonstrate integrity of confidential information.
• Ability to design and deliver professional development and coach adult learners.
• Knowledgeable about community counseling resources and effective individual and small group counseling techniques.
• Ability to monitor programs and practice for continuous improvement.
• Knowledgeable of behavioral methodology, techniques, and tools for students with emotional/behavioral challenges or significant trauma.
• Use research-based and technically sound practices to drive decision-making on services
• Knowledgeable about using technology to support instruction and enhance communication, staff learning, and student learning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Respectful of the diverse traditions of the communities served

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with children who are “at-risk” or have emotional/social/behavioral needs is required.
• Experience in school counseling, school social work, or related field is preferred.
• Specialized knowledge, training or experience working with interventions and instructional strategies designed to accelerate student growth and address social emotional wellness is preferred.
• Experience in the training and coaching of staff is preferred.
• Experience working with a variety of interventions, working in a MTSS environment and progress monitoring/data is preferred.
• Experience in Social Emotional Learning, Mental and Behavioral Health interventions, and/or Trauma Informed Practices is preferred.

LICENSES AND EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in school counseling or related field required.
• Must be a licensed OR certified New York State School Counselor.