Elementary (K-3) Guidance Counselor in Allentown, Pennsylvania at Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School

Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School (LLACS) is seeking a caring, student-centered, and mission-driven Elementary Guidance Counselor to serve students in Kindergarten through Grade 3.

The Elementary Guidance Counselor will support the academic, emotional, social, and spiritual development of students while contributing to the holistic educational experience that defines Lincoln Leadership Academy. The counselor will help develop the Mind, Heart, and Hands of every child by providing developmentally appropriate counseling, social-emotional learning, early intervention, student advocacy, family support, and collaboration with teachers and school leadership.

The successful candidate will be a relationship-builder who understands the unique developmental needs of young children and is committed to helping students become critical thinkers, socially capable, spiritually sensitive, culturally competent leaders who demonstrate character and integrity.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide individual and small-group counseling to K–3 students.
Develop and deliver developmentally appropriate classroom guidance lessons.
Support students with academic, social-emotional, behavioral, peer, family, and school-adjustment concerns.
Teach and reinforce skills including emotional regulation, communication, empathy, conflict resolution, problem-solving, resilience, responsible decision-making, and self-advocacy.
Support LLACS's Mind, Heart, and Hands philosophy through counseling and student-development programming.
Collaborate with teachers, administrators, special education personnel, families, and other student-support professionals.
Participate in student-support, MTSS/intervention, and multidisciplinary meetings as appropriate.
Assist in identifying students who require additional academic, behavioral, social-emotional, mental-health, or community-based supports.
Develop and monitor appropriate student interventions.
Support positive behavior, character development, conflict resolution, and a strong sense of belonging.
Provide developmentally appropriate support related to bullying prevention, peer relationships, school safety, and student well-being.
Communicate appropriately and consistently with parents and guardians.
Connect families with appropriate school and community resources.
Monitor and assist with attendance and student-engagement concerns.
Maintain accurate and confidential counseling records.
Respond appropriately to student crises and follow all mandated-reporting and school safety requirements.
Participate in professional development, faculty meetings, grade-level meetings, and other school activities.
Serve as a resource to teachers regarding child development, social-emotional needs, behavior, and student support strategies.
Perform other duties as assigned by school administration.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
Master's degree in School Counseling, Counseling, or a related field.
Valid Pennsylvania certification appropriate for assignment as a school counselor.
Experience working with elementary-aged children.
Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate counseling practices.
Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to establish positive and trusting relationships with students, families, and staff.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Commitment to the mission, values, and educational philosophy of Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School.

Preferred:
Elementary school counseling experience, particularly with K–3 students.
Experience providing classroom guidance and social-emotional learning.
Experience with MTSS/RTII, PBIS, restorative practices, or similar intervention frameworks.
Experience collaborating with special education teams.
Experience supporting students with behavioral, emotional, trauma-related, or adjustment needs.
Experience working with families and community-based service providers.
Bilingual or multilingual skills.

Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health benefits, disability insurance, and life insurance, subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements.

REQUIRED CLEARANCES
The successful candidate must provide and maintain all Pennsylvania-required employment clearances, including:
FBI clearance
Pennsylvania State Police clearance
Pennsylvania Child Abuse clearance

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing an educational and working environment that supports respect, dignity, equality, inclusion, and opportunity for all members of the school community.