Director of School Counseling

Franklin School•Jersey City, NJ

5d•$75,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The Director of School Counseling is a key member of the school’s leadership team, responsible for the strategic vision, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate counseling program that prioritizes the social, emotional, and psychological well-being of students in grades 9–12. This position focuses on creating a culture of care and proactive support across the student body. The Director will lead individual and group counseling efforts, guide faculty and families in responding to student concerns, develop and supervise a Peer Support Program, and build strong, responsive relationships with external clinical providers and wellness partners to ensure all students have access to high-quality support beyond the school walls.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and regularly evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with best practices in adolescent mental health and development.
Serve as the chief architect of wellness culture at the school, shaping policy, practice, and pedagogy around student mental health, resilience, and socio-emotional growth.
Collaborate with division heads, faculty, and deans to integrate social-emotional learning principles and mental wellness into the broader academic and co-curricular life of the school.
Provide confidential short-term counseling, case management, and crisis intervention for students, while establishing pathways for appropriate long-term referrals.
Design and launch a robust Peer Support Program, including the recruitment, training, and supervision of peer mentors and student leaders.
Develop clear protocols and training modules in collaboration with external experts to ensure student safety, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Monitor the efficacy and impact of peer-led initiatives and continuously refine the program to reflect student needs and current research.
Serve as the first point of contact for student mental health crises during school hours.
Coordinate closely with deans, advisors, and classroom teachers to identify students of concern and initiate proactive interventions.
Maintain thorough, confidential documentation of student cases and communications in compliance with ethical and legal guidelines.
Establish, vet, and maintain a referral network of external clinical providers, including therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and assessment professionals.
Serve as the school’s primary liaison with outside professionals, coordinating care plans and ensuring continuity of support between school and external settings.
Provide structured support for families navigating mental health care systems, including workshops, one-on-one guidance, and facilitated family meetings when necessary.
Provide training and consultation for faculty and staff on issues related to adolescent mental health, trauma-informed teaching, student behavior, and mandated reporting.
Develop and lead workshops or drop-in sessions to help teachers support student wellness within classroom contexts.
Participate in the Professional Learning Community as a thought partner and co-designer of well-being-focused initiatives across the school.
Contribute to the school’s strategic vision as a senior leader, offering input on policies, schedules, and programs from a student well-being perspective.
Ensure that equity, inclusion, and belonging are embedded within all counseling and wellness programming.
Stay current with national trends in school counseling and adolescent development and represent the school at relevant professional organizations and conferences.