Elementary and Middle School Counselor

NorthPointe Christian Schools • Grand Rapids, MI

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Elementary and Middle School Counselor supports students’ ability to be safe, engaged, and successful in the school environment by addressing social-emotional and behavioral needs that impact learning and well-being through the lens of Christ-centered education. This role emphasizes early identification, short-term support, and coordination of services, and is not intended to provide ongoing or intensive therapeutic counseling. The counselor serves as a key connector between students, families, staff, and external resources.

Requirements

• Active Christian in agreement with and willing to sign the NorthPointe Christian School’s Foundational statements
• Hold a master’s degree in school counseling
• Meet Michigan certification/licensure standards
• Fulfill continuing education requirements
• Able to pass required background checks and fingerprint screening

Responsibilities

• Provide brief, solution-focused individual and small-group support to address immediate social-emotional or behavioral concerns impacting school functioning.
• Identify students experiencing challenges such as anxiety, peer conflict, emotional regulation difficulties, family changes, or trauma.
• Assess student needs and determine appropriate next steps, including school-based supports or referral to outside services.
• Develop short-term intervention plans focused on improving students’ ability to function safely and successfully in school.
• Monitor student progress and adjust supports or referrals as needed.
• Deliver short-term, school-based support; does not provide long-term or intensive therapy.
• Focus on skill-building, problem-solving, and stabilization rather than ongoing clinical treatment.
• Refer students requiring sustained or specialized mental health care to qualified external providers.
• Deliver classroom lessons, small groups, and workshops that build skills such as self-regulation, conflict resolution, resilience, and responsible decision-making.
• Cool Class lesson writing and administration for Middle School.
• Support school-wide initiatives that promote student wellness, safety, and a positive school climate.
• Provide proactive programming to reduce behavioral concerns and increase student readiness to learn.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to address behaviors that interfere with learning or safety.
• Support implementation of school-wide systems (e.g., Generous Students, Blue Envelope protocol).
• Assist building principals with conflict resolution, de-escalation, and peer mediation as appropriate.
• Blue Envelope training administration.
• Respond to immediate student safety concerns and participate in crisis intervention and risk assessment.
• Serve as a member of the school’s crisis response team.
• Follow mandated reporting laws and all safeguarding/child protection policies.
• Partner with teachers, administrators, and staff to support student needs within the school setting.
• Serve as a resource to staff on strategies that promote student well-being and classroom success.
• Communicate with families regarding concerns that impact student safety and school functioning.
• Collaborate with high school counselors when appropriate.
• Support PSAT and SAT testing preparation and administration.
• MAP testing data collaboration with High School Counselors.
• Facilitate referrals to community-based mental health providers and support services for students requiring ongoing care (e.g., Pine Rest, Epic Discoveries, Counseling Center of WM, and Ellie Mental Health).
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local mental health and family resources (e.g., Network 180).
• Support families in accessing services and navigating next steps.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of student interactions, interventions, and referrals.
• Track outcomes related to student safety, engagement, and school functioning.
• Engage in professional development and contribute to school-wide initiatives.
• Support attendance interventions when related to social-emotional or family factors.
• Provide staff training on student mental health, trauma-informed practices, and referral processes.
• Facilitate workshops on social skills, behavioral expectations, and school readiness.
• At the start of the school year, the employee will use 30 minutes during the Elementary back-to-school session to present their role to faculty, clarify responsibilities, and establish schedules for the first half of the year.
• Attend the 6th-grade camp and lead a group at the 8th-grade retreat.
• Support Middle School Marketplace and J-term as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level