Upper School Counselor

The Upper School Counselor is responsible for providing comprehensive counseling services to support the social, emotional, and intellectual development of FCDS Upper School students. The Upper School Counselor will work closely with counselors, faculty, and administration in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools to create and maintain programs to support the mental health, wellness, and transition of the students across divisions, especially within the Upper School. This is an 11-month position that reports to the Head of Upper School.

The ideal candidate will be an individual with significant experience working with adolescents in moments of success and achievement, as well as in moments of struggle or challenge. In addition to being compassionate and supportive, candidates should demonstrate exceptional organizational, communication, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to prioritize tasks and uphold the school’s policy, mission, and core values consistently. 

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Counseling or School Counseling
• Minimum of 2 years of school counseling experience
• 11-month position

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and group counseling support for students in the Upper School.
• Serve as a member of the Upper School leadership team to monitor and guide students' social and emotional well-being.
• Work as a liaison between students, faculty, and advisors when extenuating circumstances arise, and craft individual plans for each student’s academic success.
• Create and implement a comprehensive character program, including monthly speakers and grade-level activities, including programming on social skills, digital citizenship, health, growth and development, drug and alcohol awareness, and character education.
• Identify opportunities to support students, take action, and mobilize resources on their behalf.
• Provide crisis intervention and referrals as necessary to families and faculty.
• Establish and maintain a referral list of support service specialists for families.
• Provide consultation to and collaboration on programs for faculty, parents, and administrators regarding developmental and social-emotional needs of students (e.g. For What’s Ahead Learning Series, Community Nights, Community Life Team).
• Collaborate with school counselors in Lower and Middle Schools to support students across divisions and implement planning and execution of school-wide events.

Must Possess:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Ability to establish effective rapport with a diverse student body with varying personalities and effectively communicate with different constituencies
• Ability to coordinate with campus personnel to resolve problems/conflicts
• Ability to effectively manage time and execute projects in a timely manner 
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Willingness to enforce institutional policies
• Ability to respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assist with resolutions and alternative recommendations

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Regularly required to walk, including across uneven ground, talk, hear, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds 
• Must be able to sit and stand throughout the day, and bend, kneel, or squat to be at eye level with children. 
• Must be able to operate a computer and have basic knowledge of Google Workspace 
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed 
• Must be able to utilize oral and written communication skills effectively