What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Counselor position at The Anchor School?

Company Description

The Mission : The Anchor School is a village of educators, families, and community members that partners with 6th through 12th grade students who are developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive in school and beyond. Through our commitment to excellent instruction, community partnerships, and holistic student development, we cultivate anchors that build a more just and equitable future.

Job Description

Role & Responsibilities

We are seeking a passionate, detail-oriented, mission-driven, School Counselor who is great with people and understands that the foundation of a great school starts with student safety and great relationships between all of the stakeholders in the school community. The Anchor School is committed to our students and families who expect a safe and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive. Our student services team builds a sense of community within our school and ensures our people have the resources, training, and support they need to thrive. As the counselor of the middle school, the School Counselor serves as a critical pillar within The Anchor School to promote a healthy educational environment for scholars. This individual will organize programs, group sessions, and other counseling services that educate and support the people in our learning community.

At a minimum, the responsibilities of the School Counselor shall be :

1. Student Support and Counseling

Provide individual and group counseling to support students' emotional, social, and

academic development.

Offer crisis intervention and mediation for students dealing with conflicts or personal issues.

Collaborate with teachers, parents, and staff to identify and address students' behavioral and

emotional needs.

Develop personalized plans for students struggling with mental health issues or academic

challenges.

2. Academic Guidance and Planning

Assist students with academic planning, including HS course selection, goal setting, and

long-term educational strategies.

Manage the system for individualized graduation plans within the school.

Monitor students' academic progress and provide interventions to support academic

achievement.

Conduct workshops or presentations on study skills, time management, and organization

techniques to help students succeed academically.

Coordinate with faculty to ensure that students receive necessary accommodations or

additional academic support.

3. Family and Community Collaboration

Collaborate with the school social worker as a liaison between the school, families, and

external agencies to provide a holistic support system for students.

Maintain open communication with parents and guardians regarding students' academic

performance and emotional well-being.

Organize and host workshops for parents on topics such as adolescent development, mental

health awareness, and high school readiness.

4. Career and Post-Secondary Exploration

Advise 12-15 students per year.

Guide students through the exploration of potential career paths and post-secondary

education options, even at the middle school level.

Host at least one career day and invite professionals from various fields to speak to students

about potential future opportunities.

Assist students, with the support of Advisors, in creating personal academic and career goals

and understanding the high school pathways to reach those goals.

5. Behavioral and Mental Health Support

Develop and implement behavioral intervention plans in partnership with teachers and

administrators.

Conduct regular check-ins with students facing ongoing emotional or behavioral challenges.

Refer students and families to external mental health resources and specialists as necessary.

Stay informed about current mental health trends and techniques in adolescent counseling

and integrate them into the school counseling program.

6. School Climate and Culture

Promote a positive, inclusive school environment by fostering a sense of community and

respect among students.

Work with school leadership to create and sustain a safe, nurturing atmosphere where all

students feel supported.

Collaborate on initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the school.

7. Administrative and Compliance Responsibilities

Maintain accurate records of student interactions, counseling sessions, and any interventions

or referrals provided.

Ensure all counseling services are compliant with school, state, and federal regulations

regarding student support and privacy.

Participate in school meetings and collaborate with the administration on school policies,

student disciplinary actions, and program development.

8. Professional Development and Collaboration

Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with counseling best practices,

mental health trends, and educational guidance.

Collaborate with other counselors within the district and across the state to share resources,

strategies, and improve the overall counseling program.

9. School Work

Cultivate relationships with strategic partners who have agreed to advance our mission in the

middle school.

Support the holistic development of middle school students.

Cultivate positive relationships with every student and family within our learning

community.

Support, in collaboration with other members of the leadership team, the MTSS process.

Prepare and communicate social and emotional learning related reports for TAS and other

entities.

Ensure compliance with student records related to health and academics.

Ensure alignment between the mission of the school, the key design innovations of the

school, and the instructional practices within the school.

Administer and / or support state and local testing processes and policies.

Assist administrators and other staff members in the orderly, expedient and safe transition of

students from one location to another.

Prompt, regular attendance in-person and available to work on-site, in-person during regular

business hours as defined by the school schedule.

Performs other duties as assigned by an appropriate administrator or their representative.

The School Counselor will perform all other duties that support teachers, students, and the

administration of The Anchor School. The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Qualifications

Qualifications : The ideal candidate has an advanced degree in education, social work, or some

other related field and two or more years of experience in social work (i.e. interning or executing

social work functions) at a school or other professional setting. The candidate must be able to

demonstrate alignment to the mission and vision of the school, a commitment to community

stakeholder engagement, and an entrepreneurial style of leadership in the founding years of the

school.

Advanced Degree in Social Work from an accredited program.

Record of producing trusted relationships with young people and their support systems that

support their thriving.

2-5 years of experience in social work, preferred.

Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook, required.

Highly organized and efficient.

Strong communicator and collaborator.

Able to problem solve and think creatively about establishing systems and structures that

support the well-being of people.

Has demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional teams.

Able to coordinate multiple moving parts, and multiple tasks, on a daily basis.

Background check passed, required.

State of Georgia Level 5 Certification in Social Work.

Valid driver's license and availability of private transportation.

Additional Information

Start Date : July 21, 2025

Starting Salary Range : $50,000 - $80,000

Other Benefits : We offer a competitive compensation package and comprehensive health benefits. Our employees are eligible for Teacher Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) membership in accordance with Georgia law. All staff members are equipped with the tools needed to succeed, including relevant and quality professional development, laptop computer, email, and all necessary supplies.

Reporting Structure : The School Counselor reports directly to the Director of Personalized

Learning.

Hours : This will be a full-time position starting in July of 2025.

Equal Employment Opportunity : The Anchor School 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.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Salary : $50,000 - $80,000

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