Westminster is an inclusive, Christian independent day school for boys and girls where bright, motivated, curious students who are nurtured by challenge become leaders of conscience.  Founded in 1951, Westminster is guided by a mission to prepare students for college and for life.   With a current enrollment of approximately 1,870 students in grades pre-first through twelfth and 285 faculty, Westminster fulfills its mission through a dynamic curriculum that engages children across the key dimensions of their growth--academic, physical, and spiritual.

Job Title: UPPER SCHOOL COUNSELOR

POSITION OVERVIEW

This faculty member will join a growth-oriented, collaborative learning community committed to the School’s mission and vision, including core values of inclusivity and service. Westminster excels regionally and nationally in every area of school life, from academics to the arts to athletics, achieving excellence through a wide range of programming supported by a wealth of resources. These include the Center for Teaching, a professional development institute located on the Westminster campus.   

In fulfilling our mission to “develop the whole person for college and for life,” Westminster hires and retains passionate, talented, diverse educators to offer a rich and engaging curriculum, preparing our students to be lifelong learners and citizens well equipped to address local and global challenges. Westminster teachers are more than academic experts, serving as coaches, advisors, and inspirational mentors.

Anticipated start date for this position is August 1, 2019.

Reports to:  Head of Upper School

Position Status:  This position is a salaried, exempt, full-time, regular, 10-month position.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree education in one of the counseling professions, post-degree supervised clinical experience, and passing of the National Counselor Examination or an equivalent exam required
• Current counseling certification issued by the state of Georgia or licensure in the state of Georgia, or agreement to transfer an out-of-state certification/ licensure upon hiring
• Strong facilitation skills to engage and educate parents, staff, and students
• Direct experience with adolescents (Upper School preferred) and expertise in their social-emotional, developmental, and cognitive needs

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Upper School Counselor assists the Director of Student Support and the Upper School Counseling Team in the following areas:

• Design and implement programming to enhance a culture of wellness that fosters student support and self-advocacy
• Coach classroom teachers and staff on action steps to support well being
• Provide thought leadership on national trends and developments in counseling with an eye toward empirically supported interventions
• Empower and support students through individual and small group counseling
• Normalize conversations around mental health
• Manage crisis intervention
• Lead consultations with parents, teachers, nurses, and administrators
• Support advisement, affinity groups, mentoring and leadership programs
• Consult with external mental health professionals to assess and refer students as needed
• Collaborate with teachers, deans, division heads, chaplains, and counselors in the Lower and Middle Schools to ensure cross-divisional continuity of care

Candidates should be able to contribute to the larger school community through coaching or sponsoring other extracurricular programs. Because Westminster’s vision of Counseling and Student Support is proactive, visible, and deeply connected across many facets of the student community, the strongest applicants are willing to engage with students through attendance at a variety of school events.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle and feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; talk and hear; engage in moderately strenuous physical activity both indoors and out; and smell. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Ability to become CPR and First Aid Certified.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

TRAVEL

[Travel is primarily local during the regular business day.  Overnight and out-of-area travel may also be required.]

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Westminster is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment.  It is Westminster’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities and administer terms and conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.  EOE/M/F/D/V.