Upper School Counselor

Position Summary

The Upper School Counselor at Newark Academy provides counseling and support for students in grades 9-12. The candidate should possess a deep understanding of adolescents and must be able to support teachers and parents in matters relating to adolescent social, emotional and intellectual development. 

This is a 10-month, full-time administrative position that begins in mid-August and concludes in mid-June. 

Reports to: Upper School Principal

Responsibilities:

Counseling

• Provide individual counseling services, prevention and intervention, to students and families, including crisis intervention
• Assist faculty and administrators in working with students who may be experiencing emotional or psychological challenges
• Communicate with parents/guardians, provide resources for support outside of school, and serve as the liaison between school and outside counseling services to support student needs and progress
• Serve as the point of contact to assist in course work completion and emotional support for students on and returning from medical leave due to mental/emotional concerns 
• Develop collaborative professional relationships with outside therapists, social and emotional learning experts, and other health and wellness professionals
• On-call responsibility– availability for urgent student support needs outside of regular school hours

Administrative and Teaching

• Serve as a member of the Health Department and teach courses as needed
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of student support and progress, including Gender Support Plans
• Create and maintain a list of clinical referrals 

• Develop and administer the Upper School Advisor Program, together with other student support administrators 

• Design, organize and administer orientation programs for new students in conjunction with the 9th grade class dean
• Assist in coordination and implementation of the Peer Leadership program, together with other faculty advisors 
• Collaborate with the Learning Specialist to review student neuropsychological evaluations and subsequent learning plans and interventions, help facilitate extended time requirements for assessments and standardized testing, provide assistance for overflow of extended time or when Learning Specialist is unavailable
• Work with the Upper School Principal, school nurses, class deans, Director of Student Life, Learning Specialist, Middle School Counselor, Upper School advisors, and Director of Equity and Belonging to communicate and coordinate academic, behavioral, personal, and interpersonal intervention strategies
• Collaborate with division principals, Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning, and other relevant administrators to design and implement programming on student mental health and well-being for faculty, staff, students and parents 
• Serve on academic and student support committees, as determined by the Upper School Principal

• Contribute to the life of the school by engaging in school activities, including participation in admissions and student onboard events and Upper School Parents Night
• Administer the Guidance Department budget

      Requirements:

• Masters Degree in School Counseling or related field
• Experience working with and mentoring adolescents, preferably in an independent school setting
• Good sense of humor and joy in working with students, faculty and parents
• Ability and willingness to demonstrate flexibility, empathy and adaptability 
• Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality
• Excellent communication, collaboration and organizational skills 
• Experience working with and supporting a diverse community of students, parents, and colleagues
• Knowledge of best practices in providing academic support for neurodivergent students with comorbid mental health diagnoses
• Deep understanding of child development (social, emotional, cognitive, physical) in middle and high school students
• Willingness to uphold ASCA ethical and professional standards 
• Meet or be eligible for the state certification/licensure standards for mental health, school counseling or other related field

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About Newark Academy
Located 35 miles from Manhattan in the town of Livingston, New Jersey, Newark Academy provides students in grades 6-12 with the knowledge and skills to become meaningful contributors to their communities and the wider world. Newark Academy cultivates a diverse school community and is committed to fostering and maintaining a caring and inclusive environment that thrives on intellectual, social-emotional, and relational interactions. Its faculty is highly regarded in the New Jersey independent school community for its especially effective combination of teaching that embraces rigor and compassion.

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Diversity and Inclusion Statement:
Newark Academy seeks and celebrates diversity in its faculty, staff and student body. In admission and employment practices, scholarship aid and educational programs, Newark Academy upholds applicable state and federal laws and regulations prohibiting unlawful discrimination.

Voluntary Self Identification:
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requires organizations with 100 or more employees to complete an EEO-1 report each year. Newark Academy invites you to self-identify your gender and race/ethnicity below. Disclosure of this data is VOLUNTARY and will not affect your opportunity for employment, or terms or conditions of employment.