School Counselor

Description

Reports to:  Supervisor of Related Services

Employment Information: This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt, 10-month union position. 

Summary:

The School Counselor provides comprehensive social-emotional, academic, and career support to students across various grade levels and programs. This role works collaboratively with students, families, and school personnel to promote student well-being, support personal growth, and enhance academic success. The School Counselor assists in addressing social-emotional concerns, facilitates access to resources, guides students in goal-setting and decision-making, and provides consultation to teachers and staff. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, the School Counselor helps students develop the skills, resilience, and strategies needed to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and group counseling to support students’ social-emotional development, academic progress, and career exploration.
• Consult with teachers, administrators, and other staff to address student needs and support classroom strategies.
• Assist students in goal-setting, problem-solving, and decision-making to enhance personal, academic, and career development.
• Identify and refer students to appropriate internal or external resources for academic, behavioral, social, or emotional support.
• Collaborate with families to address student needs and facilitate student success.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams, including IEP or student support meetings, to provide input on social-emotional and academic goals.
• Develop and implement school-wide initiatives and programs that promote student well-being, inclusion, and resilience.
• Maintain accurate records of counseling sessions, referrals, and interventions in compliance with privacy and school policies.
• Support students in transitions, including school entry, grade-level advancement, or post-secondary planning.
• Provide crisis intervention and support as needed, following established protocols and procedures.
• Model and exhibit PSD’s core values Students 1st, Language, Respect, Communication, and Community Engagement in all interactions, decisions, and professional responsibilities.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support student success.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in School Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of the psychology of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students and their families.
• 3–5 years of experience in school counseling or a related field preferred.
• Experience working in Deaf education programs preferred.
• Experience supporting students with autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, and/or intellectual disabilities.
• Experience with behavioral assessment, data analysis, and development of positive behavior support plans.
• Demonstrated American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency at a Level 3 (ASLPI) or above required; advanced proficiency preferred.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with students, staff, families, and community agencies.
• In-depth understanding of counseling and social work best practices, including culturally responsive strategies.
• Ability to provide support across multiple age groups and school levels.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with professionalism.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Occasional bending, crouching, reaching, or kneeling to interact with students.
• Ability to lift or move items up to 15–25 lbs (e.g., materials, student work, supplies).
• Manual dexterity sufficient for operating computers, phones, and office equipment.
• Visual and auditory ability to observe student behavior and assess communication.

Working Conditions:

• Works in office, classroom, and school-wide settings across multiple departments or programs.
• May travel to off-campus sites or community locations as needed for student support or consultations.
• Exposure to a variety of student behaviors, including challenging or crisis situations.
• May occasionally work evenings or participate in school events outside regular hours.
• Collaborates with diverse staff, families, and community professionals.

Mental & Cognitive Demands:

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, caseloads, and responsibilities simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain focus and composure in high-stress situations.
• Capacity to analyze student data, assessment results, and behavioral observations to inform interventions.
• Effective communication and counseling skills to engage students, staff, and families.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and responsiveness to meet diverse student needs.

Pennsylvania School for the Deaf provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regard to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Pennsylvania School for the Deaf to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants or employees with disabilities, as long as such accommodations do not impose an undue hardship or remove the essential functions of the job. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [email protected].