SFFS Lower School Counselor (grades K-4)

Title of position:  Lower School Counselor (grades K-4)

Job Class: Full-time, exempt, academic year

Reports to:  Counseling and Wellness Director

Pay range:  $2,843.75 to $5,975.70 semi-monthly ($68,250 to $143,417 if annualized) (placement on the scale based on relevant teaching experience) This is a full-time, academic-year, exempt position.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and term life insurance of $50,000 subsidized at 100% for employees; life insurance; long-term disability insurance; matching 403b; generous time off benefits including personal time, academic vacations, and sick leave; and professional development.

The San Francisco Friends School (SFFS), located in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco, educates K-8 students in the tradition of Quaker learning. By example and commitment, we hope to inspire all connected with our school to work together toward a peaceful and caring society. For further information about San Francisco Friends School’s beginnings, mission, and philosophy, please visit our website at www.sffriendsschool.org.

Position Description

The Lower School Counselor plays a central role in ensuring the health and wellness of the student community and is a partner with parents and teachers in supporting students’ emotional well-being. SFFS seeks culturally competent employees who will support and implement the school’s goal to “offer an academically rigorous program, rooted in a progressive approach, that is intellectually engaging, purposeful, and affirming of the spirit of each child.” The Counselor is a vocal and steady advocate for evidence-based practices and the inclusion of all students. They will commit to modeling cultural humility by mining resources, centering interventions that recognize the unique experiences of each child and family, and providing equitable access to resources.

Professional Responsibilities:

Supports individual students and/or families on a short-term basis and offers referrals outside of school as needed
Provides direct service, including crisis counseling, time-limited interventions, and assessment for triage and referral purposes
Works in partnership with the health and wellness team and teachers to develop appropriate social and emotional learning tools, incorporating them into the existing K-4 curriculum. May offer small SEL groups and conflict resolution check-ins with students; and provide support as needed per class.
Supports the scope and sequence for Health & Wellness in the Lower School
Assesses risk to children and families; works closely with Lower School Division Head & Head of School
Supports faculty with best practices with regard to children’s needs and responding to students in crisis
Serves as a member of the Student Support Services team
Remains current on developments in the field (i.e. law & ethics, mandated reporting, and risk assessment)
Recommends, in close partnership with Student Support Services and Lower School Head, full neuropsychological reports, therapy, or medication
Remains current with laws governing confidentiality as they pertain to children and mental health services in independent schools
Provides counseling around mental health diagnoses with children, families, and faculty
Attends monthly Bay Area Counseling meeting
Offers parent ed opportunities in partnership with LS Head
Attends and may coordinate meetings with parents, Lower School Division Head, teachers, and outside student support, such as therapists, learning specialists, doctors, etc.
Meets weekly with Learning Support Team and LS Head to strategize support for students of concern

Required Skills and Experience:

Master’s Degree in Counseling, LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC or Ed.D, Ph.D, or Psy.D in clinical or school psychology
2 years of working in schools, strongly preferred.
A passion and experience working with young elementary school aged students and their families
Cultural competency and a demonstrated commitment to anti-bias education
An open, collaborative approach to working with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and outside care providers
Excellent clinical, interpersonal, and communication skills

Preferred Qualities:

Experience facilitating conversations and training with Social-Emotional Learning
Crisis management experience
A demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth
Spanish Speaker and/or experience with Bilingualism
Experience with offering parent education, and professional development presentations

Tagged as: K-6