School Counselor

Job Title: School Counselor, Full-time, Salaried
Department: Administration
Reports to: Lower School Head/Assistant Head of School

Friends Community School (FCS), founded in 1986, is a progressive, co-ed Quaker K-8 day school serving a diverse student body from the greater Washington, D.C. area. FCS’s LEED-certified building is situated on 17 acres surrounded by Greenbelt National Park, nine minutes from the University of Maryland, College Park, and thirty minutes from Washington, D.C.

Educators at FCS nurture lifelong learners, courageous risk takers, and joyous peacemakers through the expression of our commitments to Quakerism, Progressive Education, equity, and inclusion. Our progressive pedagogical approach emphasizes depth over breadth, creativity and innovation over memorization, and hands-on collaborative projects over rote schoolwork. Our curriculum engages students in the exploration of values rooted in our Quaker Heritage – simplicity, peaceful conflict resolution, integrity, community, equality/equity, and stewardship – from a range of perspectives.

Job Summary

FCS seeks a full-time School Counselor for Kindergarten-Grade 8. The School Counselor reports to the Assistant Head of School and works closely with the learning specialists, division heads, school nurse, and classroom teachers. FCS supports the health and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff and the School Counselor is the leader in promoting wellness throughout our community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Utilize techniques of short-term counseling to assist students in their daily challenges and struggles. Assess the progress of the short-term counseling every 4-6 weeks to determine if continued in-school support is needed or if an outside referral should be made.
Offer support to teachers with effective teaching strategies, short-term support for interpersonal difficulties with and among students, and guidance for partnering with parents.
Using knowledge of diagnostic criteria in DSM-V, determine if a student is in an emotional crisis. Consult with other staff to determine a plan of action. Work in consultation with the student, inform parents as needed.

Provide parent consultation for school-related academic and social issues.
Develop and maintain an updated list of therapists in the local community. When necessary, students may need referrals. Parents should be consulted and a list of at least three names given. (While respecting student privacy, the school counselor often maintains it will be necessary to maintain a working relationship with the therapists of our students.)
Serve as a liaison between service providers, families, and teachers in order to ensure that therapeutic interventions are being used across all settings and the recommendations of outside providers are being implemented in the school setting.
Research and develop social-emotional programs/curriculum for the Lower School (Kindergarten-Grade 4) and Middle School (Grades 5-8).
Establish preventative mental health and wellness programs such as facilitated student lunches with a focus on social skills, self-esteem, anxiety, and friendships.
Organize and facilitate coffee chats with parents of varying grade levels in order to support parents in their experiences.
Assess students’ behavioral and emotional needs through classroom observations and push-in support in order to guide the development of support.
Read neuro-psychological reports in order to develop formal school-based accommodations.

Qualifications Desired and/or Required

Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree in social work, counseling, or school counseling required
A minimum of 3 to 5 years as a school counselor
Proven success at working collaboratively
A solid understanding of the developmental and academic needs of children
Exceptional written and oral communication skills
Excellent organizational skills
Professional development in diversity, equity, and inclusion or multicultural education and experience working with a diverse population of children and adults
Experience or openness to working in a Quaker organization or faith-based community
Strong EQ and ability to form strong and trusting relationships with adults and children
Possess joy, a growth mindset, and a sense of humor

Commitment to Diversity
FCS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, we actively seek faculty and staff of varied backgrounds and encourage them to share their unique gifts to cultivate a rich educational experience. We strive to create a learning environment that exposes students to the value and breadth of differences, informs their perspective, and prepares them to shape the world.

Please send a cover letter, résumé, and the names and contact information of three professional references to jobs@friendscommunityschool.org.

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