Upper School Counselor - Porter-Gaud School

Upper School Counselor (beginning 2025-26 school year)

Porter-Gaud is an Episcopal, coeducational day school serving more than 1,000 students in grades 1-12. The O'Quinn Schools of Porter-Gaud serve an additional 600 preschool students from age two through kindergarten. Porter-Gaud School is seeking an Upper School Counselor beginning with the 2025- 2026 school year. Our Upper School division is composed of grades 9 through 12. This is an 11 month position (July - June).

The Upper School Counselor is the primary coordinator of mental health services for Upper School students and families. The Upper School Counselor also provides educational programs to students, families, and faculty to promote understanding of well-being in adolescents.The Upper School Counselor should be recognized as a visible and engaged campus leader who partners with school leadership, faculty, and outside partners to this end.

Porter-Gaud maintains school counselors on staff in each division who are available for students during the school day on a drop-in basis or by appointment in several different situations (e.g. one-on-one, student groups, ongoing support around specific concerns). Students can access a counselor through self-referral, faculty/staff referral, a parent/guardian referral, or a peer referral for either of the following including but not limited to disciplinary offenses and academic challenges.

When a student is referred to the school counselor, professional guidelines of confidentiality, as determined by the school, are observed. A student's involvement with the school counselor does not become a part of their academic record. Pertinent information regarding the student and their need for counseling while at school will be shared with the school's divisional administration.

School Counselors collaborate with the administration, faculty, families and other needed consultants to develop school-based programs to support the social and emotional well-being of students within the context of the school community. Additionally, school counselors may take on responsibilities in each division that reflect the knowledge of a behavioral health professional (e.g. clubs, groups).

The Upper School Counselor will display a continuous commitment to developing the attitudes, knowledge, and skills (intercultural competence) to engage in appropriate and effective communication with students, colleagues, and families from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We desire candidates who will contribute to the school's efforts to continue creating a more inclusive and equitable community where all individuals can develop a sense of belonging.

Upper School Counselor Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide counseling support to students in grades 9-12 through self, teacher, or parent referral in partnership with the full-time Upper School Counselor
• Provide crisis intervention and assessment for referral to outside professionals.
• Serves as a resource to all faculty, staff, parents, and students for consultation and professional referrals as needed.
• Provide mental health education and awareness to students, faculty, and administration.
• Collaborate with professionals in the community to act as a liaison for students involved in treatment.
• Participate in parent conferences when requested by teachers, the Upper School Division Head, or parents.
• Attend all Upper School faculty meetings and Counseling Department meetings.
• Serve as a member of the Upper School Student Support Team and Upper School Administrative Team.
• Consult with administration and faculty to coordinate consistent support for students.
• Facilitate alcohol and drug awareness and prevention education events for students and parents
• Help facilitate and attend all Upper School Parent Milestone Dinners.
• Perform other activities or duties as assigned on an as-needed basis by the Head of School or the Upper School Head.

The successful candidate will possess:

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Empathy and patience.
• Ability to express self clearly.
• Ability to interact effectively and diplomatically with all internal and external constituencies of the School.
• Ability to act as a team member and to exhibit initiative to benefit Porter-Gaud School.
• Accuracy, integrity, and professionalism.
• Ability to exhibit prompt, reliable, and sustainable attendance.
• Accountability for individual job performance and behavior to include:
  • Desiring to achieve excellence in job performance and demonstrating initiative to improve.
  • Meeting deadlines for assigned and expected tasks.
  • Assuming responsibility for one's actions.
  • Completing accurate records.
  • Demonstrating exercise of sound judgment and effective interpersonal relations.
• Ability to work under stressful circumstances.
• Ability to be flexible in working hours.
• A systems-thinking approach to problem-solving.

Minimum Requirements:

• A Master's Degree or higher in School Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Professional certification or licensure is required (Licensed Professional Counselor Certification). If a candidate does not possess the professional certification or licensure required, accommodations may be made to allow them to obtain it within a reasonable timeframe as long as other requirements are met.
• Previous counseling experience with adolescents is required, preferably in an educational setting.
• Demonstrated proficiency in presenting to varied groups of students and/or adults in a classroom or meeting setting.
• Knowledge and proficiency in counseling.
• Demonstrated experience designing, organizing, and implementing wellness programming for a diverse population.

Reporting: As an Upper School Counselor, this position reports directly to the Head of the Upper School.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Porter-Gaud is a Christian community that seeks to love and serve faculty, staff,

students, and families of all faith backgrounds. Therefore, all Porter-Gaud employees will honor the God-given dignity of each member of our community. They will display a continuous commitment to developing the attitudes, knowledge, and skills to engage in appropriate and effective communication with students, colleagues, and families from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We desire candidates who will contribute to the school's efforts to continue creating a more inclusive and equitable community where all individuals can develop a sense of belonging.

Porter-Gaud School is committed to increasing the racial, ethnic, and religious diversity of our faculty and staff. The School welcomes applicants who would bring additional dimensions to the School's teaching mission. In accordance with law, Porter-Gaud School is an equal opportunity employer and hires without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.

Porter-Gaud School is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students. We hold our employees to the highest possible standards. All employees are subject to extensive background check screenings and must sign our code of conduct. We strive to monitor employees while interacting with students. We take any inappropriate interactions between students and employees seriously and are committed to mandatory reporting standards as required by law. We will fully cooperate with authorities in any allegation or case of abuse.