Upper School Counselor

Rye Country Day School•Rye, NY

8h•$90,000 - $125,000

About The Position

Rye Country Day School is seeking a full-time Upper School Counselor beginning August 2026. Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, Prek-12, college preparatory school located in Westchester County, New York dedicated to providing students with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches. We are actively committed to creating and sustaining a school community that is nurturing, supportive, diverse, and inclusive, one in which all students can participate fully and achieve their maximum potential through academic, athletic, creative, and social endeavors. We expect and promote moral responsibility and strive to develop strength of character within a respectful school community. The Upper School Counselor works closely with the Director of Counseling Support Services, Upper School Counseling Team, Upper School Principal and Assistant Principal, Upper School Learning Specialists, grade-level deans, and Upper School faculty to support students.

Requirements

Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, school psychology, social work, or related human services field; doctorate preferred
Appropriate New York State licenses and/or certifications
Minimum of five (5) years’ experience leading a student support services and/or student counseling services department; previous counseling experience in a school
Effective leadership and management skills, including interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills
Experience with personnel supervision and training
Proven ability to connect joyfully with K-12 students and faculty
A well-developed sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community members allowing for the ability to connect with the many constituencies of the RCDS community; a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Strong coordination, evaluation, and assessment skills to promote best practices in the ever-changing landscape of student support services
Deep and broad knowledge of counseling, learning support, and health and wellness education across the developmental stages
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; a positive attitude, energy, and an inspiring and entrepreneurial leadership style
Strong organizational, management, and execution skills with attention to detail
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including use of technology
Commitment to lifetime learning and professional and personal integrity

Nice To Haves

Experience in leading parent developmental workshops

Responsibilities

Sees individual students on an as-needed, short-term basis
Provides crisis intervention for individual students
Assists students in developing advocacy, healthy coping skills, and developmentally appropriate problem-solving
Provides group counseling support for Upper School students
Consults and liaises with outside therapists and evaluators; makes appropriate referrals outside of school for ongoing care and support
Supports the health and well-being of all learners, in collaboration with the Director of Counseling, by creating a supportive environment that stimulates and promotes ethical, social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth
Enthusiastically supports students and is a visible presence in the division
Designs division-wide assembly time dedicated to discussing important health-related topics
Provides opportunities to discuss child development issues with parents and guardians; holds individual parent and family meetings as needed
Serves as a resource for teachers about the emotional development of adolescents; meets regularly with teachers about students in need of services and about any students of concern
Assists with proofreading comments, with a lens to social-emotional learning, problem solving, and empowering students
Assists with the transition of new students
Works closely with the Upper School Learning Specialists to support students with combined emotional and learning differences
Works in consultation with the Middle School Counselor for transitioning eighth grade students
Develops and engages with a network of counselors at other area independent schools
Designs and leads meaningful psychoeducation for Upper School faculty
Conveys enthusiasm for intellectual inquiry and models lifelong learning as evidenced by professional learning and development
Actively seeks education on and implements best clinical practices regarding trauma-informed counseling, assessment and treatment techniques for culturally- and racially-diverse populations, identifying avenues for prevention and intervention efforts, understanding racism-related stress and coping processes
Maintains credentialing with New York State
Keeps student, family, and employee information as confidential; maintains proper documentation in order to keep confidential records
Participates as a full member of the Upper School faculty
Co-Leads our Student Wellness Ambassador Program
Supports the mission of the School and performs other related tasks as assigned by administration