Upper School Leave Replacement Counselor

The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,100 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Position Summary

The Pingry School seeks a perceptive, compassionate, and collaborative professional for a one-year, full-time Leave Replacement Counselor position within our Middle and Upper School. This role is central to the Counseling and Academic Support Team (CAST), providing high-level social, emotional, and behavioral support to students during a critical stage of development.

This position is designed for an intuitive professional who thrives in a team-based environment. You will initially work in close partnership with our full-time Upper School Counselor, engaging in co-counseling, joint student support initiatives, and shared crisis management, and then transition to the full-time position for the remainder of the year to ensure a seamless and robust support network for our students, faculty, and families.

The Collaborative Clinician

We are seeking a counselor who views well-being as a community-wide endeavor. You are the right person for this role if:

• You initiate interactions with students in the hallways, at lunch, and across the community to build connections and authentic trust.
• You are energized by working collaboratively with other members of a student support team to foster students' growth and development.
• You have a deep, intuitive appreciation for the "adolescent experience." You are knowledgeable about the nuances and challenges of adolescent development and are able to translate that understanding into actionable support.
• You balance supporting students' day-to-day well-being with their acute needs.
• You are committed to an inclusive school community and possess the ease and skill necessary to navigate diverse constituencies with empathy and respect.
  
  

Primary Responsibilities

School-Based Counseling

• Counseling & Intervention: Work with students, individually and in groups, to support their social, emotional, and cognitive development in the school setting. Provide crisis intervention as needed, always working in partnership with Counseling and Academic Support Team (CAST) members.
• Faculty Consultation: Serve as a resource for faculty/advisors/coaches regarding their concerns for students.
• Collaboration: Serve as a core member of the Counseling and Academic Support Team (CAST) and other student-centered support meetings with Deans, Division Directors, Nurses, etc., providing insights and guidance to support student well-being.
• Maintain Records and Confidentiality Within existing systems, track student contact, maintain contact notes, and keep records of contact with faculty and parents.
• Referral Management: Facilitate appropriate referrals to external providers and consult with external providers when appropriate to support student well-being.
  
  

Community Programming & Education

• Proactive Programming: Work with internal teams to create community-wide events and materials (for students, parents, and employees) that promote well-being.
• Student Life Involvement: Contribute to the vibrant school culture by chaperoning and attending student events as well as participating in student-based extra-curricular activities.
• Parent Partnership: Be accessible to parents/guardians for consultation and assist in building educational presentations related to adolescent development and well-being.
  
  

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctorate degree from an accredited program in a related field (Counseling, Psychology, Social Work).
• Professional licensure or certification in the field (Counseling, Psychology, Social Work)
• Experience with school-based counseling, expertise in adolescent development, and skill in working within collaborative student support teams.
• A demonstrated commitment to cultivating a culture of belonging where every student feels seen. This includes the ability to navigate diverse backgrounds and promote equity in mental health access.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work cross-functionally within the Counseling and Academic Support Team (CAST) and across diverse constituency groups in alignment with Pingry's Mission and Honor Code.
• Proficiency in educational technology, including the Google Suite and learning management systems (e.g., Veracross/Canvas), to maintain accurate, confidential records.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and pivot strategies to meet the evolving needs of the student body.
  
  

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers.

The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $70,000. Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education.

Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

A full list of benefits is available at www.pingry.org/careers.

The Pingry School aspires to be an anti-racist community and is committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Pingry is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Pingry School's employment policy is that individuals will receive equal opportunity in all matters pertaining to recruitment, employment, salary, promotion, and assignment, regardless of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy status, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, or other basis proscribed by federal, state, and local law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.