Middle and Upper School Counselor
THE POSITION
The Park School of Baltimore seeks candidates for a full-time Middle and Upper School Counselor beginning in fall 2023. An orientation compatible with Park’s commitment to progressive educational practices is essential.
The Park School employs two full-time Middle and Upper School counselors who work closely to support the student body. The primary role of the school counselor is to support students in their social and emotional development.
Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences.
We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education.
We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world.
The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, coeducational day school of 845 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning, to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers, and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, from Pre-Kindergarten through Upper School, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning.
This happens through a variety of ongoing prevention programming efforts. When students are struggling, the school counselor’s responsibility is to provide counseling support through assessment, short-term individual and group counseling, case coordination, and crisis intervention. The school counselors consult and collaborate regularly with parents, faculty, administration, and external support providers to best meet the needs of the students in the school setting. This position requires outstanding attention to detail, a demonstrated ability to multitask, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to communicate complex student information in a respectful and clear manner. The counselor also strives to make the Counseling Office an inviting, fun, and helpful area in the school, one in which all students feel welcome. The Middle and Upper School Counselor must be able to work independently and as part of a highly motivated and fast-paced team.
PRIMARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify and support students in need of support, assess their level of need, refer to appropriate services, and follow up to monitor response to interventions/services.
- Provide short-term individual and small group counseling.
- Collaborate with the Middle and Upper School Counseling team to develop and implement prevention education programming (presentations, activities) for Middle and Upper School communities.
- Provide crisis intervention and safety assessments according to the school’s safety protocol.
- Provide consultation and serve as a liaison between parents, guardians, faculty, and administrators about student mental health needs — including student return-to-school plans for mental health care absences.
- Serve as school liaison to outside service providers e.g. referrals to and communication with community resources (e.g. psychotherapists, counselors, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and other medical/mental health specialists).
- Collaborate with the Middle and Upper School Counseling team to develop and implement parent education programs related to child development and social-emotional well-being.
- Collaborate with the Middle and Upper School Counseling team to develop and provide professional development to faculty regarding student support within the school setting.
- Be an active and engaged member of student support teams (e.g. Health Team Child Life, Student Support, etc.) and collaborate regularly with team members (e.g. Deans of Students, Learning Specialists, faculty, division Principals, and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).
- Communicate regularly with the Middle and Upper School Counseling & Wellness department on student cases trends and assist in strategizing student needs and programming.
- Maintain a visible and proactive presence in the Middle School by participating in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
- Advise the administrative team on student needs in times of crisis as well as standards of practice in mental health support and crisis situations.
- Maintain a warm and inviting counseling office atmosphere.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current best practices in school counseling, ethics, and Maryland specific legal obligations.
- Maintain up-to-date clinical records, case notes.
- Respond to emails, text messages, and calls in a timely manner.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or counseling required.
- Minimum of three years experience providing direct clinical care to adolescents.
- Experience working with 6th through 12th Graders. Experience working with children and families in a school setting is preferred.
- License in Maryland or have ability to become licensed (i.e. LCSW-C, LMSW, LCPC).
- Understanding of common diagnostic assessment tools and formulations; working understanding of current treatment approaches.
- Experience implementing individual, group and/or universal evidence-based interventions.
- Ability to build strong rapport with students, families, school personnel, and external support providers.
- Ability to create, develop, and teach social-emotional curriculum responsive to current needs in child development.
- Knowledge of current research related to adolescent social-emotional development and mental health.
- Ability to collect, review, and analyze data in order to improve support services.
- Demonstrated ability to self-start and work autonomously, as well as part of a team.
- Willingness to develop one’s own knowledge and skills through professional development.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively and efficiently with and within a culturally diverse student body, staff, and community.
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible, visible, resilient, collaborative, and approachable.
- Adherence to ethical standards and best practices of state and national school counselor associations.
- Skill and comfort in using multiple web-based platforms for record keeping and communication.
- Strong work ethic and high level of integrity.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, lead initiatives, and be proactive.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Park salaries and benefits are highly competitive with those in other leading independent schools. For new appointments, salaries reflect experience and training equated to Park’s scales.
In addition to normal retirement and health benefits, the school offers the following distinctive programs:
- Faculty and Curricular Advancement (FACA) Program: This program supports summer professional work by faculty on a distinctive scale. Established in 1989, FACA is supported by a $5.6 million endowment; currently, over 40% of all Park faculty participate in projects annually. Grants cover full salary and benefits for group or individual projects selected through a formal review process.
- Tuition Remission: Under current policy, faculty and staff who have been employed at Park full-time for two years are eligible to receive full tuition remission for their children who attend Park. All candidates, including faculty children, must meet Park’s standards for admission. (During the first two years of employment, faculty may apply for aid through the need-based tuition assistance program.)
APPLICATION PROCESS
Due to the large volume of incoming résumés, we cannot accept phone calls. Send a letter of interest, personal statement, and résumé. Please indicate whether you plan to attend any national recruitment forums. Please also indicate whether there are any special circumstances that will affect the timing of your search, availability for interviews, and decisions for the coming year.
CONTACT
Priscilla Morales, Associate Head of School
The Park School
2425 Old Court Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
academicresources@parkschool.net
The Park School of Baltimore does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or any physical or mental disability unrelated to a reasonable performance of an employee’s duties.
COVID-19
Please note: Park School currently requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination, subject to legally required exemptions, as a condition of employment.