Academic Counselor, Middle School

The Harker School•San Jose, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

We seek to hire a highly qualified individual as a 6 - 8th grade Academic Counselor at our Middle School campus, beginning in August 2026 for the 2026–2027 school year. The Academic Counselor will be responsible for performing a variety of duties involving the academic tracking and emotional and social counseling of students.

Requirements

Doctorate or master’s degree in Counseling or Clinical Psychology, or licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Experience assessing and treating children and adolescents
Current certification in First Aid and CPR; if not already certified, willingness to complete Harker-provided training
Strong understanding of child and family development
Knowledge of child abuse reporting requirements, foundational counseling practices, and record-keeping standards for licensed MFTs or psychologists
Proficiency with computer programs that support internal and external communication
Ability to communicate effectively in English with faculty, staff, vendors, and others, both in person and by telephone
Strong customer service orientation
Demonstrated proficiency with relevant computer applications
Ability to learn, navigate, and effectively use Harker’s internal systems and programs
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple responsibilities simultaneously
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
Positive, professional attitude
Self-motivated, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Flexibility and adaptability in managing a variety of situations and tasks

Responsibilities

Meets with students to identify the reasons for sub-optimal performance, including, but not limited to, lower-than-expected grades—and provides appropriate interventions based on that assessment.
Communicates with parents regarding student challenges when additional intervention is required.
Completes miscellaneous research, reports, and letters as requested and as needed.
Provides recommendations regarding a student’s need for intervention, including potential course changes, as well as academic and/or mental health support.
Partners with and supports teachers in addressing student academic needs.
Collaborates with the learning specialist to ensure coordinated and effective support for students.
Meets with all assigned new students at the start of the school year to build relationships & develop an understanding of each student; in coordination with the division head, reaches out to new parents to establish a supportive partnership.
Monitors, manages, & responds to academic concerns, as well as communications from teachers, parents, and students related to students’ academic and emotional well-being, with the goal of providing timely and effective support.
Supports students experiencing academic, transitional, emotional, and/or social challenges.
Communicates with students, advisors, the division head, assistant division head, and other administrators regarding student progress, as needed.
Provides referrals to community-based resources for additional support when appropriate.
In conjunction with the division head, prepares letters notifying parents of students’ academic status as needed, including communication related to probationary periods.
Coordinates parent-teacher conferences to address academic, transitional, emotional, &/or social concerns.
In collaboration with the learning specialist, informs and educates teachers about interventions and accommodations required to support students with learning differences.
Arranges logistics for presentations to faculty, parents, and students throughout the year—including, but not limited to, Parent Connects and faculty meetings—as directed by the division head.
Provides short-term, triage counseling to students in crisis.
Attends weekly faculty meetings, new parent orientations, Back-to-School Nights, Open Houses, and Parent Connect presentations; prepares presentations for Parent Connects as needed.
Maintains detailed documentation of all student meetings in Magnus, ensuring a clear and accurate timeline of counseling interactions and topics addressed.
Works collaboratively and positively with counselors across divisions (Lower, Middle, and Upper School) to ensure strong articulation and continuity of care for students, including preparation for transition meetings and ongoing coordination of support.
Serving as a resource and reference for all counselors as needed, to provide a strong continuation of care.