What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Counselor position at The Kiski School?
The Kiski School in Saltsburg, PA has engaged DovetailED to lead a search for a School Counselor to start for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. Interested candidates should review the Opportunity Statement and submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a consolidated PDF to Ashlyn Chillemi, Senior Recruiter at DovetailED Talent Sourcing, at ashlyn@dovetailedsourcing.com.
The Kiski School School Counselor Opportunity Statement Link: https://bit.ly/kiski-counselor.
The School Counselor supports the academic, social-emotional, and personal development of students in
alignment with the school’s mission. As a visible and trusted presence on campus, the counselor fosters a
culture of belonging, resilience, character, and well-being while partnering closely with faculty, families, and
administrators.
At Kiski, the counselor plays a proactive role in community development, preventative programming, and
individualized student support within a mission-driven educational environment.
The key responsibilities of the position will be:
Student Support and Counseling
Provide short-term individual and small-group counseling.
Support students experiencing social, emotional, academic, or behavioral challenges.
Develop and implement student support plans in collaboration with families and faculty.
Maintain appropriate documentation in accordance with professional and legal standards.
Refer students and families to outside providers when necessary.
Preventative Programming
Lead programming focused on topics such as belonging, resilience, conflict resolution, digital
citizenship, stress management, and leadership.
Partner with faculty to embed character education and community norms into school culture.
Support advisory programs where applicable.
Assist students with goal setting, time management, and study strategies.
Crisis Response & Risk Assessment
Serve as a member of the school’s crisis response team and safety committee.
Conduct risk assessments when concerns arise.
Partner with administration in health and safety protocols.
Support re-entry plans following extended absences, hospitalization, or major life events.
Family and Faculty Partnership
Serve as a trusted resource for parents regarding adolescent development and social-emotional growth.
Communicate proactively and professionally with families.
Offer parent education workshops or resources as needed.
Consult with teachers on classroom management, student development, and behavioral concerns.
Provide professional development on student mental health and well-being.
Participate in and lead student support team meetings and faculty discussions.
The ideal candidate for the position will possess the following qualifications and qualities:
- Relevant experience working with students in a residential setting, preferably in a boarding school
- Ability to engage fully with boarding school life, potentially performing weekday and weekend
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills for collaboration with students, parents, and faculty.
- Empathy, patience, and the ability to navigate sensitive and complex situations with discretion and
- Innovative and adaptable mindset to navigate the challenges and opportunities of working with young people.
- Successful experience working collaboratively as a member of a team to identify and solve challenges.
- An excellent written and oral communicator.
Requirements
o Master’s degree in School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling or related field
o Valid CPR/AED Certification
o Valid First Aid Certification
o Possession of a valid driver’s license
o Prior work in a school setting is preferred
Why Work at Kiski?
Kiski offers a close-knit community of passionate and dedicated educators on a beautiful and spacious
campus that includes trails, wooded areas, and river access. Overlooking the charming small town of
Saltsburg, Kiski’s location offers the peace and beauty of a rural area, but is just 30 miles from
downtown Pittsburgh, a world class city that has undergone a tremendous renaissance over the last 20
years.
Kiski provides structured mentorship and support for educators at every career stage and fosters a
culture of innovation and collegiality.
Kiski provides a competitive benefits package with generous support for professional development and
continuing education, and offers tuition remission for eligible children of employees.
Kiski provides on-campus housing as well as meals for employees and their families in the Turley
Dining Hall. Employees have access to the state-of-the-art Rogers Athletic Center, including a
weight room, gym, tennis courts, and indoor and outdoor pools. Most teachers live on campus
creating a small village atmosphere.
Most importantly, working at Kiski provides each employee with the opportunity to make a
profound impact on the lives of young people. Our alumni and their families are deeply loyal to the
school and grateful to their teachers and they stay in touch long after they graduate.