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4th-8th Grade School Counselor

The Philadelphia School (TPS) is a Preschool - Grade 8 progressive, independent school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with an enrollment of approximately 420 students. Since our founding in 1972, The Philadelphia School has grown in size, complexity, and diversity. This growth has been rooted firmly in the progressive values with which our founders began: immersive learning, responsive pedagogy, and meaningful engagement with the world.

Position Summary:

The Philadelphia School is seeking a warm and dynamic full-time School Counselor to support the social, emotional, and academic development of students in grades 4 through 8. The ideal candidate will have experience working in an elementary or middle school providing counseling services as well as implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming. One unique aspect of this role is that the counselor will co-teach our sexuality curriculum to students in the Junior Unit (4th and 5th grade) and Middle School (6th-8th grade).

Position Responsibilities:

Provide short term, goal-focused supportive counseling for individuals and groups of students
Plan and deliver Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons within a responsive classroom framework that strengthen students’ intra- and inter-personal skills such as conflict resolution, self-care, and boundary setting
Co-teach sexuality education
Engage in ongoing collaboration and consultation with a multi-disciplinary team including the school psychologist, school counselor, administrators, learning specialists, teachers, and other professionals
Collaborate with teachers to increase student engagement and wellness
Consult with caregivers to strengthen school-home partnerships
Respond professionally and effectively to crisis situations that may involve individual students (e.g. suspected abuse, reports of self-harm) or groups of students (e.g. frightening event in the news, loss of community member)
Document student and parent interactions, meetings, and communications
Provide psycho-education to faculty and families
Engage in professional development to maintain current knowledge

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in school counseling, social work, or related field with significant counseling experience required; 5-year minimum preferred
Licensure and/or certification in school counseling, social work, or related field required
Knowledge of and experience with developmental, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of students in late childhood and early adolescence
Ability to work in a collegial and highly collaborative environment
Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders like teachers, caregivers, administrators, etc. in moving forward a plan for a student or students
Ability to respond to acute emergent situations with calm, ease, and tact
Familiarity or experience with Responsive Classroom and restorative justice practices preferred
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills across a range of audiences
Commitment to a progressive, dynamic, and diverse school community
Sensitivity, cultural competence, and good judgment

Compensation: Range for this full-time, school-year position is $70-80k, depending on experience.

Application Information:

Qualified candidates should visit our website and click on “Job Opportunities” under “Quick Links.” For full consideration, please provide a cover letter tailored specifically to your interest in and alignment with our school program, resume, and contact information with three professional references.

The Philadelphia School welcomes and celebrates diversity in our student body and in our faculty and is committed to providing an education for all of our children that instills in them a respect, understanding and appreciation for the many races, cultures, religions, family structures, and ethnicities that make up our complex and diverse world.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Philadelphia School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Philadelphia School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws to ensure fair treatment of all applicants and employees. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources department at humanresourcesoffice@tpschool.org.