Elementary School Counselor

Greenwich Country Day School is an independent, co-educational day school with a current enrollment of over 1400 students in grades N-12, and a faculty and staff of over 400. The original Old Church Road campus is home to grades N-8. The new High School, established in 2019, is located less than two miles away on the Stanwich Road campus. Founded in 1926, Greenwich Country Day School is a family school where creative teaching is encouraged and used to foster a love of learning, motivate children toward academic excellence, and develop the whole child. The school provides the opportunity for purposeful and personal learning in a joyful environment, with emphasis on the development of character, values, creativity, and sportsmanship along with strong academic skills. GCDS is committed to graduating ethical, confident leaders who possess a strong sense of purpose.

GCDS is fortunate to have built a large endowment that helps to fund competitive salaries and benefits,  including a robust professional development program and reimbursement for graduate school tuition. GCDS offers a substantial need-based financial aid program to support students from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. 

Due to the expansion of the student success program, Greenwich Country Day School seeks an Elementary School Counselor to start in August 2025. Successful candidates will possess content and pedagogical expertise, a dedication to collaboration, and a creative and flexible approach to working with teachers and families. 

Diversity is a core value at GCDS and we seek candidates who demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion. Candidates from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. GCDS is pleased to offer transportation support and accommodations, as needed, along with an introduction to the local area, for those candidates who travel from outside of the region for on-campus employment interviews.

Candidates are invited to use their cover letter to comment on any or all of the following. Sharing of portfolios or other evidence of personal or student work is also welcome and encouraged.

 A successful candidate is expected to demonstrate ability in the following areas:

• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders
• Establish relationships with outside student/family support resources in an effort to provide responsive services
• Ability to conference one-on-one with parents
• Engage in research-based counseling techniques
• Work independently as well as collaboratively to solve problems
• Follow the referral process and collaborate with school administration and teachers to support the process
• Collect and Interpret data in order to develop academic, emotional, and behavioral interventions
• Maintain current and comprehensive notes
• Knowledge of behavioral management plans
• Read and interpret psycho-educational evaluations in order to work with the student support team to develop accommodations

Responsibilities Include:

• Observe children during classroom and play activities and confer with teachers and parents to evaluate a child’s strengths, challenges, and specific learning needs.
• Assist parents in addressing school-related problems
• Refer parents to outside agencies and specialists when necessary
• Respond to crises should the need arise
• Work with teachers and administrators on professional development, providing a mental health perspective to issues such as academic support
• Help educate students on understanding self and others
• Work with individual students or small groups on topics such as peer relationships, coping strategies, effective social skills, emotional dysregulation, and problem-solving strategies
• Provide as-needed lessons to classes in areas of socio-emotional development 
• Conduct transition/orientation activities for new students or those moving away
• Consult with other professional staff, outside agencies, and organizations.
• Provide parent education sessions on SEL-related topics
• Identify at-risk students and implement interventions to enhance success
• Assist with the development and delivery of a division-wide SEL curriculum 
• Attend weekly supervision meetings with the mental health team and Director of Wellness and Student Support

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s or Doctorate degree in School Psychology / School /Counseling / Clinical Social Work 
• For candidates who are psychologists, current State of CT certification will be required for those who reach the finalist stage of the hiring process. NCSP credential is preferred
• A minimum of 3 years of successful school experience with students in this age group, or demonstrated professional competency
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community
• Personal traits appropriate for nurturing the growth of children - must be energetic, creative, flexible, patient, and have an inexhaustible sense of humor

Interested candidates are invited to use the link provided to submit a cover letter and resume to Raquel Salcedo, Director of Recruiting & Talent