Middle School: School Counselor - Lynn, MA (2024-2025)

Job Description

School Counselor (Social and Emotional) at KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School

At KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, we believe our students’ character and emotional growth is inextricably linked to their academic progress.

Our school counselors play a vital role in shaping the culture of our schools and helping students lead a life of impact and choice.

School counselors are responsible for supporting the emotional, social, academic, and character growth and well-being of KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School students and families.

Counselors are an integral part of the KIPP team working to ensure our students succeed in school and go on to lead self-sufficient, successful, and happy lives.

This role requires consistent and reliable demonstration of the following essential job functions and key responsibilities :

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage aspects of the referral process for social services, partnerships, and special education services, including :

Provide support and documentation for all students with IEPs

Meet regularly with students who have mandated counseling on their IEPs

Conduct regular assessments of current and emerging student and family needs

Develop and maintain partnerships with external agencies

Refer individuals and families to external resources and services and collaborating with said services

Consult with the school’s Student Response Teams to develop comprehensive supports and interventions to students who are presenting challenging behaviors.

Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues, and respond to family concerns promptly and effectively.

Participate actively in team meetings, school-wide activities, professional development, and other events.

Directly support the students’ social and emotional health to ensure their well-being and safety.

Communicate with proper support staff about student behavior, attendance, and other possible challenges, and support Principal, Deans, and teachers when discipline issues arise.

Provide recommendations to the staff and leadership team around approaches to working with struggling students.

Establish a professional rapport and strong relationship with students, staff, and families.

Display the highest ethical and professional behavior and confidentiality when working with students, parents, and staff.

School and Professional Responsibilities

Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and weekly during the academic year

Take ownership for the development of your craft and seek feedback from your coach (meet 1x / 1-2 weeks with coach, implement feedback, engage in co-planning and active practices, participate in live coaching, etc.)

Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) coverage, bus, lunch, and dismissal duties

Develop strong relationships with families through participating in school events and consistent phone calls home

Be willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to accountability, change, and improvement

Collaborate with grade level and content teams to tackle common challenges and implement grade-wide systems, sharing responsibility for all students

Dependable attendance according to our school calendar

Obtain appropriate licensure within a year of hire

General Requirements and Responsibilities

Embody KIPP MA’s Code of Conduct by acting with integrity, leading with humanity, centering self-awareness and critical consciousness, taking personal responsibility, and engaging productively

Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required

Demonstrated ability to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make reasonable judgments and decisions in a timely manner in accordance with the needs of the school

Self-awareness, flexibility and emotional intelligence to navigate a setting with students who express diverse needs

The consistent use of interpersonal and self-management skills to effectively support behavioral and emotional needs of students to ensure a safe and inclusive environment, as well as build relationships and manage conflict with students, staff, and caregivers

Effective communication skills to perform assigned duties and to meaningfully exchange information with students, staff, families and others in person, through written communication, in front of groups, and on virtual platforms

Physical mobility to move self in various positions in order to execute duties effectively, which may include kneeling, walking, pushing / pulling, squatting, twisting, turning, bending, stooping and reaching overhead

Physical strength sufficient to periodically lift and / or carry 20 pounds of materials or supplies and to physically restrain a student to keep from harming themself and / or others in an emergency situation

Manual dexterity sufficient to perform repetitive hand / wrist / arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment

KIPP MA staff are supported in their demanding work by experienced and dedicated leadership and staff who have themselves proven successful in the teaching role.

Our leaders maintain consistent school-wide systems and procedures - academic, behavioral, cultural, logistical - designed to permit staff to do their best work.

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, there will occasionally be other duties as assigned that staff will engage in to help promote a positive and safe learning environment and culture.

Qualifications

Love and unwavering belief in the high potential of all students

Commitment to anti-racism and equity

Computer literacy and baseline familiarity with Google Suite

MSW or Master’s degree in counseling-related discipline (required)

Licensure through DESE, the Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Services or the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Work (required)

Experience working within a school environment or extensive work with children or young adults

Experience in therapeutic modalities related to children and families in traditionally underserved communities, including assessment and treatment of trauma.

A strong work ethic, extensive knowledge of child and adolescent development, and a documented track record of personal and professional success

Oral and written proficiency in Spanish or Haitian Creole are highly preferred

Pass Criminal Background Checks

KIPP MA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables all of our students and staff to thrive.

We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.

We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Additional Information

What We Offer

The minimum base salary for this exempt position is $58,000 to $88,000 (per 1.0 FTE / 45 hours per week), depending on experience.

The role includes a $1,000 signing bonus and an annual $2,000 retention bonus in subsequent years, as well as other bonuses, when eligible.

For more about what we offer, how to apply and more about KIPP MA, please visit this link HERE.