About this role
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
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
Please note that any employee who serves in the role of a school counselor must obtain informed consent, using the School’s Informed Consent Form, from at least one parent or guardian prior to providing counseling services to the student. If the parents or guardians are separated, divorced or never married, the school counselor should use best efforts to obtain written informed consent from both parents or guardians, unless prevented from doing so by mitigating circumstances. In situations where written consent cannot be obtained despite best efforts, the provider should obtain verbal consent from the applicable parents or guardians, document the conversation, and keep a copy with the student’s counseling records. Regardless of the form, informed consent to treatment must be obtained from at least one parent or guardian; for minors whose parents are divorced, separated, or never married, ideally from both.
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.
Deep alignment with KIPP MA’s mission and values, including the unwavering belief in the high potential of all students
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 building a vibrant and welcoming school community that advances our mission of ensuring that all KIPP students graduate with the skills and confidence to lead fulfilling lives. This includes a commitment to attracting and developing individuals who understand the experiences of the students and communities we serve. We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
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. This role follows our School Year calendar. For more about what we offer, how to apply and more about KIPP MA, please visit this link HERE.