Upper School Counselor in Sandy Spring, Maryland at Sandy Spring Friends School

Founded in 1961, Sandy Spring Friends School is a progressive, coed, academically-rigorous day and boarding school serving students from age three through 12th grade. The campus is located on 140 acres in the historic Sandy Spring area of Montgomery County, Maryland, and the School is approved by the Maryland State Board of Education and accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools.

Our school’s culture, rooted in the idea that collaboration engenders achievement, can be traced to our Quaker heritage and abiding belief in the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, integrity, stewardship of the environment, and peaceful resolution of conflict.

Upper School Counselor

Summary: The Upper School (grades 9-12) seeks a dynamic and experienced school counselor to work collaboratively in support of the Upper School student body. The Counselor is a member of the Student Resource Team.

Responsibilities:

• Assessing and addressing students’ mental and emotional health concerns and supporting a learning environment that centers the social and emotional wellbeing of all our students. The Counselors work in partnership with the US Administrative Team and Teaching Faculty within the Upper School.

• Support parents by providing clear communication, therapy referrals, education, and guidance. Address students’ needs through one-on-one meetings and pro-social guidance.

• Teaching a Health and Wellness 9th Grade Seminar course. This includes ongoing curriculum development as new topics of importance arise.

• Planning Upper School education/assemblies/programs to address perennial issues that older adolescents face, as well as ad-hoc concerns that arise.

• Coordinates the schedules to ensure counselor availability and scheduled programming for day, evening, and some weekend activities and events.

Successful candidates will be flexible, organized, creative, and collaborative, with a sound psychological understanding of the development of adolescents, conflict resolution, and student and family support. SSFS seeks candidates who appreciate and support students who represent a broad range of learning variabilities, points of view, and cultural and social backgrounds, with a strong commitment to a progressive, dynamic, and diverse school community.

Required Qualifications: A Masters in School Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field with a focus on adolescent development and significant counseling experience, 2-years minimum. School counseling experience is preferred; knowledge of and experience with the developmental, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of adolescents and how to address those within a school setting. Candidates should possess computer literacy and experience using Google Suite for both administrative and instructional purposes, familiarity with database systems, as well as strong interpersonal and written communication skills.

Further required qualifications include counseling experience in a student-centered environment; the ability to form trusting relationships with students, faculty, and families; consistent professionalism with and among all constituencies; and experience supporting students with a wide range of social-emotional and/or academic needs. Strong listening, oral, and written communication skills are essential.

Desired Qualifications: Experience teaching adolescent health education, experience with international students, and knowledge of Quaker educational philosophy is desirable.

Summary of Benefits

Salary: $75,000 - $85,000 yearly

At SSFS, we offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth. Our benefits include:

• Comprehensive Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.

• Disability & Life Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability coverage, along with life insurance, for peace of mind at no cost to employees.

• Retirement Savings: 403(B) plan with employer contributions to help you save for the future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, including holidays and parental leave.

• Employee Assistance: Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.

• Tuition: Financial aid available to children of SSFS employees.

• Childcare Discounts: Discounted After Care and Summer Camp programs for employees' children.

• Convenience Perks: Free parking, free lunch, and access to our library and gym facilities.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for growth through tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, and ongoing professional development initiatives.

• Campus Amenities: Work in a beautiful, historic campus with walking paths. We are a smoke-free, environmentally conscious community.

Commitment to Diversity: Sandy Spring Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.

Physical Requirements: The ability to navigate stairs as part of daily routines; mobility around a large campus with uneven pavement; bending and squatting as required to participate in activities; lifting/carrying boxes up to 25 pounds; and the ability to maneuver as necessary within a regular classroom and office setting.