Summary

The Middle School Counselor supports the academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development of students in grades 5–8 by delivering a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate school counseling program. Working collaboratively with students, families, faculty, and administrators, the counselor provides individual and group counseling, leads advisory and preventative programming, and responds to student concerns and crisis situations. Grounded in Franklin Road Academy's mission and Christian values, the Middle School Counselor fosters a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment that promotes student well-being, resilience, and growth during the critical middle school years.

Essential Functions

The tasks, duties, and responsibilities of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Develops and maintains a comprehensive school counseling program that is preventative in design, developmental in implementation, and supports middle school students in the areas of academic achievement, conflict resolution, and personal and social development
• Listens to and provides counsel for students' and families' academic, social, or emotional concerns
• Works with students in one-on-one and small group formats to address social concerns
• Guides, coordinates, and supports school staff in implementing division-wide advisory programming
• Collaborates with faculty and staff to address student concerns, including leading monthly team meetings to discuss issues and problem solve
• Designs and implements ongoing student and parent education opportunities around current trends and topics affecting adolescent students
• Assists the leadership team with student and community concerns
• Serves as a middle school advisor
• Establishes and maintains a strong network of local mental health professionals and agencies and assists families in obtaining services for their children through an appropriate referral and follow-up process
• Assesses student needs and makes referrals to appropriate school resource personnel, social agencies, community agencies, and alternative programs
• 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
• Intervenes during crisis situations and participates on school crisis team
• Serves as an active member and voice on the middle school leadership team
• Maintains a strong presence within the middle school community, including visibility in the hallways, participation in cocurricular events, and serving as a grade-level advisor

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Master's Degree in School Counseling
• Experience with middle school students
• Licensed School Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor

Skills, Abilities, and Attributes

• Demonstrates a passion for and expertise in counseling
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Collaborative personality

Physical Requirements

In compliance with ADA requirements, we will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant.

Additional Responsibilities

The statements in this job description are intended to represent the key duties, essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be all responsibilities or qualifications of the job.

All employees are expected to support the mission of Franklin Road Academy, and contribute to the overall life of the school.