4th - 8th Grade School Counselor
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL·Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL·Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Provide short-term supportive counseling and implement Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming for students in grades 4-8. Co-teach the sexuality curriculum and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to support student wellness and academic development.
The Philadelphia School is seeking a warm and dynamic full-time School Counselor to support the social, emotional, and academic development of students in grades 4 through 8. The ideal candidate will have experience working in an elementary or middle school providing counseling services as well as implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming. One unique aspect of this role is that the counselor will co-teach our sexuality curriculum to students in the Junior Unit (4th and 5th grade) and Middle School (6th-8th grade). Position Responsibilities: Provide short term, goal-focused supportive counseling for individuals and groups of students Plan and deliver Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons within a responsive classroom framework that strengthen students’ intra- and inter-personal skills such as conflict resolution, self-care, and boundary setting Co-teach sexuality education Engage in ongoing collaboration and consultation with a multi-disciplinary team including the school psychologist, school counselor, administrators, learning specialists, teachers, and other professionals Collaborate with teachers to increase student engagement and wellness Consult with caregivers to strengthen school-home partnerships Respond professionally and effectively to crisis situations that may involve individual students (e.g. suspected abuse, reports of self-harm) or groups of students (e.g. frightening event in the news, loss of community member) Document student and parent interactions, meetings, and communications Provide psycho-education to faculty and families Engage in professional development to maintain current knowledge Qualifications: Master’s degree in school counseling, social work or related field with significant counseling experience required; 5-year minimum preferred Licensure and/or certification in school counseling, social work, or related field required Knowledge of and experience with developmental, social, emotional and cognitive needs of students in late childhood and early adolescence Ability to work in a collegial and highly collaborative environment Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders like teachers, caregivers, administrators, etc. in moving forward a plan for a student or students Ability to respond to acute emergent situations with calm, ease, and tact Familiarity or experience with Responsive Classroom and restorative justice practices preferred Excellent organizational and time management skills Strong verbal and written communication skills across a range of audiences Commitment to a progressive, dynamic, and diverse school community Sensitivity, cultural competence, and good judgment Compensation: Range for this full-time, school-year position is $70-80k, depending on experience. Application Information: Qualified candidates should visit our website and click on “Job Opportunities” under “Quick Links.” For full consideration, please provide a cover letter tailored specifically to your interest in and alignment with our school program, resume, and contact information with three professional references. The Philadelphia School welcomes and celebrates diversity in our student body and in our faculty and is committed to providing an education for all of our children that instills in them a respect, understanding and appreciation for the many races, cultures, religions, family structures, and ethnicities that make up our complex and diverse world. Equal Employment Opportunity The Philadelphia School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Philadelphia School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws to ensure fair treatment of all applicants and employees. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources department at humanresourcesoffice@tpschool.org. Qualifications
Requires a Master's degree in school counseling or social work and professional licensure/certification. A minimum of 5 years of experience is preferred, along with knowledge of developmental needs for late childhood and early adolescence.
Market context
In Pennsylvania, 4th–8th grade school counselor openings are often driven by student support needs, attendance, and academic planning, so districts look for candidates who can work closely with teachers, families, and student services teams. These roles are competitive because they typically require a master’s degree, relevant licensure or certification, and often several years of experience; on this platform, job requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original posting to save you research time. Review the full description for crisis-response expectations and tailor your application to highlight collaboration and tactful communication.