What are the responsibilities and job description for the Counselor position at Magellan International School?
PRIMARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR
School Year 2025-2026
Classification Exempt
Reports To Head of Primary School
Location Austin, TX, USA
Job Closing Date Open Until Filled
JOB DESCRIPTION
School Year 2025-2026
Classification Exempt
Reports To Head of Primary School
Location Austin, TX, USA
Job Closing Date Open Until Filled
JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary/Objective
Magellan International School (Colegio Internacional Magallanes) in Austin, Texas, is seeking a Primary School Counselor. This role advocates for the holistic development of students, supporting their personal, social, and academic growth. It involves delivering guidance curriculum, conducting individual and group counseling, collaborating with educators and parents, and using data to inform student development. The counselor serves as a resource for students, faculty, and families, helping them navigate the challenges of academic life and personal well-being.
Essential Functions as they relate to:
Students
Magellan International School (Colegio Internacional Magallanes) in Austin, Texas, is seeking a Primary School Counselor. This role advocates for the holistic development of students, supporting their personal, social, and academic growth. It involves delivering guidance curriculum, conducting individual and group counseling, collaborating with educators and parents, and using data to inform student development. The counselor serves as a resource for students, faculty, and families, helping them navigate the challenges of academic life and personal well-being.
Essential Functions as they relate to:
Students
- Leads social-emotional learning (SEL) / well-being and human development lessons for students
- Help to foster and promote self-regulation principles throughout the school
- Counsel students and small groups
- Acts as case manager to students with behavioral, emotional, and psychological needs
- Intervenes/supports when students are having an emotional and/or behavioral crisis
- Conducts observations / brief assessments of students with social-emotional/behavioral challenges
- Provide temporary short-term/solution-focused sessions (4 to 6 sessions) for students requiring support
- Collaborates with external specialists (e.g. therapists, clinicians, psychiatrists) to provide professionally recommended accommodations
- Reviews external psychological and psychoeducational assessment reports, provides recommendations to teachers and creates learning plans in collaboration with the learning specialist if needed.
Teachers
- Helps teachers incorporate guidance lessons into their curriculum and practices
- Supports teachers with behavior management resources and recommendations
- Suggests resources to provide the best learning experiences for students with behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs
- Bridges communication with specialists (e.g. therapists, clinicians, psychiatrists)
Administration
- Maintains records and reports
- Works collaboratively with Student Support Resources (SSR) team members to prepare for student-focus meetings
- Collaboratively plans, implements, and evaluates guidance programs and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) at Magellan
- Attends section faculty meetings as required
- Meets regularly with the Heads of Section/Assistant Head of Primary and SSR Coordinator (separately) to discuss high-need cases and review external professionals' feedback and recommendations for students receiving services
- Attends grade-level teacher meetings as needed
- Writes blog posts for parents on pertinent counseling topics (Upper Primary only)
- Informs the community about counselors initiatives through a trimester newsletter
- Supports the ongoing development of Magellan’s sensory library and resources
- Continues to build and maintain the list of community resources and specialists (e.g. therapists, clinicians, psychiatrists)
Parents
- Connects students/families with community resources and external therapists, specialists, and professionals
- Communicates and meets with parents of high-needs students on a regular basis
- Upon request, collaborates with administration and/or the parent association (MISPA) to organize parent education programs
Other Duties:
Performs other duties as assigned, which may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Education and Experience
Performs other duties as assigned, which may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Education and Experience
- Master’s degree & Licensed School Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Experience in mental health services with a focus on child and adolescent development
- Experience in therapeutic intervention and crisis management is beneficial but not required
- Prior experience working in a school setting
- Preferred: Bilingual in English and Spanish
Personal Attributes and Skills
- Child-focused, warm, caring, and supportive
- Therapeutic communication skills
- Crisis management and conflict resolution
- Flexible and willing to work collaboratively with teams
- Committed to the school's vision and mission
Salary and Benefits
A competitive salary package with medical and supplemental benefits, 401K, and paid time off.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office as well as a classroom environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets. This role requires the ability to interact with multiple children at a time, and to bend and sit on the floor at times throughout the day.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
“Core” work hours are:
This job operates in a professional office as well as a classroom environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets. This role requires the ability to interact with multiple children at a time, and to bend and sit on the floor at times throughout the day.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
“Core” work hours are:
- Monday 7:45 am to 5:30 pm
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7:45 am to 3:45 pm
- Wednesday 7:45 am to 4:30 pm
- The length of day may vary on occasion. Availability during occasional nights and weekend events.
Travel
Some out-of-area travel may be expected with field trips, but is not common.
Some out-of-area travel may be expected with field trips, but is not common.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification form, I-9. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.
AAP/EEO Statement
Magellan International School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetics, or status as a veteran. In addition to federal law requirements, the Magellan International School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification form, I-9. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.
AAP/EEO Statement
Magellan International School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetics, or status as a veteran. In addition to federal law requirements, the Magellan International School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.