Upper School Counselor

• Upper school counselor full-Time, exempt this is the job for you if you…
• Are deeply committed to supporting the social, emotional, and mental well-being of adolescents.
• Thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy working closely with educators, families, and student support teams.
• Approach counseling through a proactive, student-centered, and developmentally informed lens.
• Are skilled at building trust with students while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Bring both compassion and clarity to complex situations, including crisis response and ongoing student support.
• Are passionate about fostering an inclusive, equitable community where all students feel seen, supported, and able to thrive.

The Upper School Counselor plays a vital role in promoting student well-being and supporting the holistic development of students in grades 9–12. As a key member of the Upper School Student Support Team, this role provides direct counseling services, leads wellness programming, and collaborates closely with faculty, families, and outside providers to ensure students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally. This position is grounded in a proactive, preventative, and responsive counseling model that helps students navigate the complexities of adolescence and develop the skills needed to thrive.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Student Support & Counseling
• Provide individual and group counseling to support students’ social, emotional, and mental health.
• Offer crisis intervention and ongoing support, including coordination with families and outside providers when needed.
• Proactively identify and address student needs in collaboration with the Student Support Team.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records related to counseling services.

• Wellness Programming & Prevention
• Develop and implement mental health and wellness programming across the Upper School.
• Contribute to advisory and student programming on topics such as health, wellness, and social-emotional learning.
• Lead or support initiatives related to suicide prevention, grief support, and student well-being.
• Provide training for students, faculty, and staff on mental health, wellness, and abuse prevention.

• Collaboration & Consultation
• Partner closely with learning specialists, deans, faculty, and administrators to support student needs.
• Collaborate on student accommodation plans and ensure appropriate supports are implemented.
• Serve as a resource to faculty and staff in developing strategies to support student success.
• Maintain and expand a network of outside mental health professionals for referrals.

• Family Communication & Community Engagement
• Communicate proactively with families regarding student well-being and support needs.
• Provide parent education and workshops on adolescent development and mental health.
• Partner with the Admission Office as needed to support student onboarding and transitions.

• Professional Practice & Community Participation
• Model professionalism, discretion, and ethical counseling practice at all times.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and stay current in best practices in school counseling.
• Participate fully in school life, including meetings, events, and community responsibilities.
• Contribute to a school culture grounded in equity, community, and care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Must possess a professional license in School Counseling or another relevant area: LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), LPCC (Licensed Professional Counselor) or equivalent.
• Five years of directly related experience in a school or clinical setting preferred
• Experience working with high school-aged students (grades 9–12), including an understanding of their academic, social, and emotional developmental needs.
• Experience and commitment to working with culturally diverse students, families, and colleagues and contributing to building and maintaining an inclusive community
• Engaging interpersonal skills and strong speaking and writing skills.
• Effective skills in working with groups
• Collaborative working style and strong work ethic
• Ability to engage with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism.
• Teaching and curriculum development experience a plus
• Discretion and respect for confidentiality
• Commitment to Bosque School’s mission, core values [https://www.bosqueschool.org/about], and Equity, Community, and Culture Principles and Best Practices [https://www.bosqueschool.org/about/ecc], and the creation of a progressive, student-centered, inquiry-based educational model.

Who We Are

Bosque School, founded in 1994, is a non-profit, co-educational independent school serving approximately 350 students in grades 6-12, located in sunny, culturally dynamic, and affordable Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our mission is to create transformative learning experiences that empower a diverse community of students to lead lives of intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, and compassionate contribution to a more just world. We manifest our mission through our core values of inspiring academic excellence, cultivating community, fostering integrity, and learning from place. Our dynamic, immersive, interdisciplinary learning environment challenges each student to think critically, creatively approach problems, and collaborate effectively with cultural competence. Bosque School has been voted the best private school in Albuquerque for multiple years running by the Albuquerque Journal Readers’ Choice Awards. Click here [https://www.bosqueschool.org/admission] to experience a virtual tour of Bosque School. For out-of-state candidates, you can access information about relocating to Albuquerque on our employment page [https://www.bosqueschool.org/about/employment].