School Counselor (Temporary Position, November 2023 - June 2024)

School Counselor

(Temporary position, November 2023 - June 2024)

Position Title: School Counselor (part-time or full-time); optional: contractual relationship through a qualified provider

Reports to: Head of School

Location: The Discovery School, 102 15th St., Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250

About the School

The Discovery School is a private, non-profit school that offers a unique educational experience through a gradual evolution from pure Montessori, to a blended curriculum to pure International Baccalaureate (IB) over the course of the child's academic career, serving children ages 18-months through eighth grade.

Through a progressive and internationally-minded framework, students receive a firm foundation in academic skills and participate in a wide variety of enrichment opportunities from a dedicated and caring faculty. Students in our toddler and primary program engage in learning in a Montessori-prepared environment with Montessori-trained teachers. Students in our elementary school are a part of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). Our middle school seeks to challenge students with academic rigor in a low-pressure environment.

Job Summary

The Discovery School is seeking a smart, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented professional to provide guidance to individual students and consult with parents, teachers, and administrators regarding student social and/or emotional issues. As an integral part of a Discovery’s team, this person will develop a strong understanding of the school, its mission, philosophy, values, and goals, and support students, faculty and staff, and families while providing direct leadership activities and character development programs.

The ideal candidate is enthusiastic about assisting students’, team members’, and parents’ needs and will work collaboratively with all members of our community.

Normal Hours:

1. Monday through Friday, as agreed upon.
2. Other hours as required and deemed necessary by the Head of School

Principal Accountabilities:

• Serves as a resource to the community on early childhood and adolescence issues
• Works with the faculty and staff to promote a positive emotional and academic climate in the school
• Strengthens effective advocacy for student needs throughout the school
• Organizes and runs education programs and workshops on childhood, adolescence, and parenting issues
• Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented activities to meet student needs and school goals
• Assists students, individually or in groups, with developing academic and emotional/social skills, goals, and plans
• Collaborates with parents and faculty to assist students with modified educational goals
• Provides individual counseling to students with identified concerns and needs
• Works with the Director of Student Experience on referral and follow-up process as needed
• Assists Parent-Teacher Organization to find resources for guest speakers and topics

Specific Qualifications/Skills

• Master’s Degree in Counseling or related field required plus three to five years of related experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of child development and a special understanding of pre-adolescent and early adolescent youth
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership and facilitative skills
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from individuals and groups representing administrators, parents, faculty, staff, students, and the general public
• Working knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Possess the ability to handle multiple tasks throughout the school day
• Experience in an early childhood or elementary school setting preferred

Required Competencies:

• Commitment to Discovery’s Characteristics of Professional Excellence:

1. Model the Portrait of the Graduate
2. Passionately pursue their own professional growth and development
3. Unabashedly hold children at the center of all decisions and actions
4. Cultivate an inclusive and vibrant learning community
5. Discover and act on what is possible

• Planning & Organizing
• Interpersonal/relationship management skills
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Innovation
• Integrity and Trust
• Attentive listener

Work Environment

This job requires the employee to spend the majority of working hours working directly with children, faculty, staff, and parents. In addition, this job may require the employee to stand, bend, kneel, or lift in the course of their regular job duties.

This position operates in an office environment that is accessible. Some work at off-site locations may be required, and those may not necessarily be fully accessible. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee may have to lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift. This position requires attendance from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, during agreed-upon hours. This workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment.

Work Authorization: The candidate must be authorized to work in the US.

Compensation: This is a part- or full-time position, paid at an hourly rate (part-time) or salaried (full-time), competitive, and commensurate with experience. Optional: contractual relationship with a qualified provider.

Benefits: Full-time employees receive health, dental, and vision insurance, 403(b), LTD and STD, paid leave, and life insurance.

Date of Employment: November 2023 - June 2024 (temporary, part- or full-time)

To Apply: https://www.thediscoveryschool.org/about/employment

The Discovery School is an equal opportunity employer.