Girls Global Academy Hiring for SY – School Counselor at Washington, DC Full Time

We are looking for an already licensed counselor.

Girls Global Academy is a community of dedicated innovators who believe girls matter. Through our daily work, we are committed to actions that equip the next generation of leaders to navigate the world with confidence and compassion to succeed in any path they may choose. Our approach to education will allow girls to develop strong voices that inspire change.

Because you matter – this is who we are looking for:

• You are highly qualified and mission oriented
• You are passionate about all girls’ high school education
• You are flexible and adaptable to change and excited about working in a start-up school environment
• You are a self-starter, problem solver and have a growth mindset
• You are committed to assisting the school becoming Tier 1

If you meet these ideals – we want to speak with you about joining our team!

About School Counselor

The School Counselor is an integral member of the GGA student support team who will be responsible for designing, overseeing and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. This includes services for student’s social and emotional wellness, personal and social development, and helping to establish and maintain a positive school climate. The School Counselor will work closely with all staff to ensure students receive the services they need to allow them to focus on learning. They will also work with students and families directly to ensure they receive the support and tools they need at home to be academically successful.

This position is ideal for someone who loves students and is ready to go above and beyond. You must be comfortable working in an environment where systems and routines are not yet in place – adaptability and being proactive will be key to the first few years in this role. If you are excited to design and implement systems with input from key stakeholders – we want to talk with you.

Qualifications

• A License in Professional Counseling (LPC) Preferred
• Minimum of two years of experience working as a counselor in a school with students in grades 9 – 12
• Exchange and communicate information clearly and accurately with parent, students and other health professionals
• Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions
• Maintain high degree of discretion and confidentiality, as necessary and appropriate
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Key Responsibilities

School Counselor Duties and Responsibilities

School Wide Preventative and Responsive Services

• Designs, implements and assesses a school wide support system for social and emotional supports
• Assists teachers in understanding their students, including providing and interpreting student data and supports other school staff in implementing school wide advisory programs.
• Provides in-service training on topics related to the school counseling program and supporting student achievement.
• Guides, coordinates, consults with families and educators to assess student needs and interests and to discuss appropriate recommendations for educational options.
• Makes referrals to appropriate school resource personnel, social agencies, community agencies and alternative programs when needed.
• Uses responsive counseling strategies to establish relationships and collaborate with educators, students, families, and community partners which reflect recognition of and respect for each individual.
• Assists families in obtaining services for their children through an appropriate referral and follow-up process. Serves as liaison between the social services agencies (i.e., D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) and personnel from the various school systems where wards of the District of Columbia are attending school.
• Serves as the school-based homeless and foster care liaison.
• Works with school staff to support teacher wellness and referrals

Direct Student Support

• Provides direct services for students per their IEP including providing short-term support to children who are experiencing social-emotional and/or behavioral problems.
• Provides individual therapy to children experiencing behavioral problems utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques (e.g. play therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy)
• Facilitates social skills groups and social emotional lessons to classrooms and small groups.
• Conducts Functional Behavior Assessments for general and special education students.
• Develop Behavior Intervention Plans based on Functional Behavior Assessments and train staff on their implementation.
• Monitors progress towards social-emotional goals via detailed data tracking.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with regard to all aspects of student information.
• Collaborates with school teams in order to advocate for students needs and provide guidance for school staff.

Student Guidance Counseling

• Plans and coordinates and provides classroom guidance sessions to meet the identified guidance and counseling competencies in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal and social development to assist students in developing decision-making skills and identifying life goals.
• Prepares students for the transition to the next level: college, career, post high school activities and post-secondary options.
• Assist students in navigating their academic, workplace and community experiences, through the use of individual student planning

Essential Functions:

• Member of leadership team
• Focused on preventative work
• Manage tracking systems for student supports
• Responsible to participate in (and sometimes lead) the student success team (with Director of culture identifies
• Support Director of Culture in implementation our social and emotional learning programming – ie. advisory period AND restorative circles
• Provide recommendations to families about outside support and referrals for various therapeutic assessment and/or on-going mental health treatment
• Serve as the main point of contact on student’s mental health, wellness, and social-emotional issues to teachers, administrators, families, and clinical providers
• Works closely with teachers to offers guidance, facilitate communication, and advocate on how to best support students
• Play a key role in crisis management situations involving students and determine when clinical intervention is required
• Lead faculty and staff training on mental health, wellness, and social-emotional needs of students.
• Partner with school administration to review and support school policies around mental health, bullying, and mandated ing
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records and behavioral data, as it appropriately pertains to student’s emotional well-being

Community Engagement

• Fosters positive relationships with students
• Develops regular communication protocols with parents
• Delivers thoughtful guidance and support with advisory groups
• Engages professionally and enthusiastically with new school initiatives
• Lead extra-curricular activities during and/or after school

About Our School

Girls Global Academy (GGA) is an all-girls public charter high school in Washington, DC. Our school’s program has three primary focuses:

• International Baccalaureate academics, combined with distinctive engineering and business pathways;
• A school culture that values all learners by working daily to fulfill the four promises of sisterhood, scholarship, service and safety;
• Service learning projects that extend rigorous academics to provide experiences outside the classroom.

Our SY 23-24 Staff Members:

You will be an integral part of growing our school, and as a GGA Staff member you understand that starting and growing a school is hard work. Staff members are empowered to take ownership over the work and have a responsibility to each of our students. You are truly a part of a resilient team that has an all-hands-on-deck mentality and faces challenges head on with clear communication. Our 2024 graduating class needs staff that believe in our students, maintain strong community norms for interpersonal interactions, and in our four pillars of sisterhood, scholarship, service, safety.

Our Commitments to Staff:

• Professional development tailored to your needs as an educator
• Support and coaching from an experienced leadership team
• A seat at the table where you are a decision maker in an equitable and inclusive environment
• Work-life rhythm where you are encouraged to make self care a priority

How to Apply

Please submit your application to our online jobs portal. All applicants will have to pass a background check. **GGA cannot currently sponsor visas for employment.

Girls Global Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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