Upper School Counselor

Description

Bullis School seeks an Upper School Counselor to support our caring and inclusive community starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. This position involves overseeing the emotional, social, and behavioral health and well-being of students in the Upper School. This position will join a team of existing counselors to ensure that we continue to meet the individual needs of our student body and address the collective wellness objectives of the Bullis Community. 

In collaboration with Upper School Administrators, the counseling team supports wellness education and school policies around mental health, wellbeing, and mandated reporting. Counselors at Bullis provide short-term counseling and crisis intervention to students and make recommendations for outside mental health and therapeutic support. Counselors develop and facilitate relevant health education programs such as substance abuse awareness and education, healthy relationship dynamics, the senior transition to college, and other relevant topics. Counselors work with teachers to determine student needs, offer guidance, facilitate communication, and advocate on how to best support students in the classroom. 

Working at Bullis means being a part of a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and development.  We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits that make it an ideal place to build a thriving career. If you are passionate about education and want to make a difference in the lives of young individuals, we want to hear from you!

Duties & Qualifications

Essential Functions

• Provide short-term individual and group counseling and crisis intervention for Upper School students
• Provide recommendations to families about outside support and referrals for various therapeutic assessments and ongoing 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
• Work closely with teachers to offer 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
• Assist and work collaboratively with the Academic Support Team
• Attend and participate in weekly Student Review Committee meetings to discuss student progress, to identify behavioral, academic, and other problems, to provide solutions/strategies, and appropriate resources for students
• Teach one health class per trimester
• Partner with school administration to review and support school policies around mental health, bullying, and mandated reporting
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records and behavioral data as it appropriately pertains to student’s emotional well-being
• Facilitate a variety of relevant health and education programs for students and parents, including substance abuse awareness and education, healthy relationship dynamics, senior transition to college, and other relevant topics
• Work with grade-level teams and the Assistant Heads of School to assist with additional programming for orientation, experiential education opportunities, advisory, and assemblies

Other Duties

• Seek opportunities to maintain visibility in the community, such as serving as a student club sponsor, coaching a team, task force participant, and other ad hoc opportunities
• Serve as an Upper School Advisor
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Wellness

Qualities of a Bullis Counselor

• An appreciation and respect for high school-aged students as learners and people, through challenging and joyful moments alike
• Commitment and knowledge to work with and lead groups of diverse individuals in respectful, equitable, and inclusive ways
• Empathetic and able to cultivate positive relationships with young people
• A proven collaborator and strong communicator who can work with all internal and external members of the community
• Use of reflection and feedback aimed at continued growth
• Good cheer, humor, and warmth, balanced by professionalism and sound judgment
• Detail-oriented, with the capacity to effectively and efficiently manage numerous small and large tasks
• Able to exchange accurate information in situations with parents, students, and other health professionals
• Proven ability to maintain accurate detailed records and confidentiality

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or related mental health field required
• Minimum of five years of experience working as a counselor in a student-centered, community-based independent school, focused on students in upper grades

Compensation and benefits are competitive, with an anticipated annual salary range of $75,000 to $100,000

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Employer-provided basic life insurance
• Employer-provided short-term and  long-term disability
• 401(k) employer match and safe harbor contribution, up to 7% of annual compensation

Salary : $75,000 - $100,000