School Counselor

Saint Mary’s School is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades 9–12. The School is the fourth oldest girls’ boarding and day school in the country and is located on a beautiful 23-acre campus in the heart of Raleigh, within walking distance to many restaurants and attractions the City of Oaks has to offer. Raleigh-Durham, NC is ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States by US News & World Report.

Saint Mary’s School is offering a unique and exciting opportunity to work on a beautiful historic campus for the 2024-25 year. This benefited position possibly offers campus housing provided by the School where Residential Faculty members can participate in a vibrant campus life with other families and students and enjoy meals in the dining hall.

We are looking for candidates who have strong teaching and learning backgrounds that embodies a student-centered philosophy and demonstrates a high degree of cross-cultural competency and inclusion in all aspects of school life. Saint Mary’s School seeks candidates who believe every learner deserves to have her needs met through learning communities that value diversity, compassion, and fairness. Our teachers work to create equitable classrooms providing students with equal access to learn and achieve their full potential. We are seeking faculty members who are looking for opportunities to share in the residential-life responsibilities and engage in the community by coaching a sport and/or coordinating extra-curricular activities in the evenings or weekends.

The School Counselor promotes student success, provides preventive services, and responds to identified student needs using leadership, advocacy, and collaboration. Keys to success in this position include taking the initiative, being proactive, and following up in addressing student concerns.The School Counselor provides counseling support, character education, wellness programming, and life skills programming to students. The School Counselor is a critical leader in the health and well-being of our community. Being actively engaged with students, being connected to student issues, and maintaining awareness of the pulse of the community are essential to this position. The School Counselor lives on campus and serves on the residential faculty as it relates to the position of School Counselor.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides direct services to students through programs, preventative activities, individual and group counseling that includes a variety of approaches, from therapeutic to holistic wellness techniques.
• Develop, implement, and support health and wellness programs in collaboration with the Dean of Students, Binder Health Center, Chaplain, Academic Support, and other Saint Mary’s community members.
• Serve as a leader on campus-wide mental health initiatives and care teams.
• Provides emergency and short-term counseling support to students as situations arise, including on-call student support.
• Addresses students' emotional, academic, safety, and well-being concerns through proactive awareness and implementation of appropriate interventions.
• Maintains student confidentiality as is appropriate in the school setting.
• Conducts mental health assessments, provides short-term counseling support, and implements effective referral and follow-up processes as needed.
• Consults and collaborates effectively with administrators, employees, and parents/guardians regarding students with identified concerns and needs.
• Implements appropriate plans and provides case management services to address the needs of students and the institution.
• Advises and/or coordinates various student-led organizations and serves on institutional committees related to health and wellness.
• Conducts in-service training and educational opportunities for faculty, staff, and student leaders on mental health and wellness topics.
• Is fully engaged in delivering the all-school seminar program and leadership programming, including, but not limited to, MBTI assessment and education, relaxation/stress relief skills building, and organizational skill building.
• Writes and submits year-end reports in collaboration with members of the Student Life Team.
• Continuously review the extent of current program effectiveness and provide recommendations and feedback as appropriate for the student's well-being.
• Supports the admission office by reviewing student files and conducting conversations with outside mental health professionals when needed during the admission process.
• Adheres to the school counseling profession's laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Performs teaching, advising, and co-curricular programs as assigned.
• Performs night, weekend, and holiday responsibilities to support the life of the residential community and the academic program as required by yourposition or requested by your manager/supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee in this position. Employees are required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by those authorized to give instructions or assignments.

• A master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a closely related field and three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. License strongly preferred.
• Experience working with students from different backgrounds, cultures, and academic needs, including students with learning differences or giftedness.
• School counseling experience preferred.
• Ability to deal straightforwardly and compassionately with students and parents.
• Ability to work cooperatively with students, faculty, staff, and administration to support the school's mission.
• Valid Driver’s License

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Generally works in standard office conditions and climate.
• May work in varied extreme outside weather conditions during special activities.
• Ability to handle a wide variety of challenges, including crisis management.
• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods.
• Ability to drive students to appointments, etc.
• Walking up and down flights of stairs (up to four (4) stories of a building at once).
• Be able to drive or ride short and long distances in school-owned vehicles, including a 14-passenger bus.
• Be able to ride short and long distances in charter buses.
• Ability to drive at night.