• School Counselor (Grades K-8)

  Reports to: Assistant Head of School/Lower School Division Head and Upper School Division Head

  FLSA Status: Full-Time/ Exempt – May be a Faculty Position (10 Months) or Staff Position (12 Months)

  Salary range: $120,000-$160,000. Salary based on experience and position type
  
  About Mirman School

  Mirman embraces, supports, and values the many facets and faces of giftedness as we nurture our students’ abilities to reach their highest potential. As an educational institution, we are committed to personalizing our curriculum through depth and complexity, while celebrating the intellectual, creative, and kinesthetic dimensions of childhood and adolescence. We foster a culture of inclusivity and connectivity in which our students’ academic, co-curricular, and socio-emotional experiences and needs are supported. Mirman faculty and staff model empathy and respect in our communal effort to enhance whole-child learning. Our goal is to inspire lifelong curiosity and learning, the continuous pursuit of excellence, and ethical leadership among our students and graduates.
  
  Core Values

  Responsibility — We are obligated to care for ourselves, our community, and our environment.

  Integrity — What we believe is right directly shapes our actions.

  Discovery — We enthusiastically pursue knowledge about ourselves and the world around us.

  Empathy — We strive to understand and value the experiences and feelings of others.

  Resilience — We recognize challenges as necessary steps in learning and personal growth.
  
  Position Description

  The School Counselor facilitates a healthy school climate by fostering student self-understanding and strong interpersonal relationships. This role oversees all counseling services for Mirman and works with administrators (Division Heads, the Dean of Students and the Director of Equity, Inclusivity, and Community) to support students and families dealing with social or emotional challenges. General responsibilities include supporting faculty and administrators in ensuring coordination of student and family support, overseeing and managing the SEL curriculum across all grade levels, and overseeing the Student Success Team including coordinating meetings with faculty, parents, and support services plus outside providers as needed. Our Counselor also invests regularly in professional growth and personal development through courses, workshops, and seminars, deepens integration between counseling services, social-emotional learning, leadership development, and wellness curriculum, and maintains all documentation for student referrals, accommodations, and parent meetings.
  
  Essential Job Functions

  Students:

• Support individual students on a short-term basis and advise families as needed about psychotherapy outside of school 
• Provide direct service, including crisis counseling, time-limited interventions, and assessment for triage and referral purposes
• Lead small council groups to help students in understanding self and others, conflict resolution, coping skills, peer relationships and effective social skills as needed per class
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date confidential records of conversations, meetings and observations 
• Conduct class observations of students and monitor students in need during unstructured social times

• 
  Parents/Guardians:

• Counsel students, parents, and faculty, as needed, regarding emotional and psychological issues related to and impacting school life and academic performance
• Attend and participate in meetings with parents, administrators, teachers, and outside student support such as therapists, learning specialists, doctors, etc.  

• 
  Faculty and Staff:

• Consult with teachers regarding students’ social and emotional needs
• Consult and meet with Division Heads, the Dean of Students, and/or the Head of School regarding student issues and clinical and legal matters pertaining to the mental health of students
• Uphold the ethical and professional standards of the American Association of Counseling and Development and the American Psychology Association

• 
  Social and Emotional Learning:

• Partner with Administration to coordinate and oversee school-wide SEL programming and frameworks
• Evaluate SEL curriculum implementation and work with teachers at each grade level

• 
  Administrative:

• Attend and participate in all relevant meetings: administrative, faculty, etc.
• Consult with Division Heads on a regular basis
• In collaboration with Division Heads and the Parent Service League, oversee “Parents Supporting Parents” programming which provides an education and discussion group centering on topics related to gifted education and whole child development
• Plan and present periodic parent presentations, including grade level coffees, parent outreach, and weekly education classes, and other community-wide events
• In collaboration with teachers, advisors, and the educational leadership team, develop case studies and other learning tools to further develop faculty trainings regarding social-emotional issues in schools
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Equity, Inclusivity and Community and the Director of Curriculum and Instruction to support effective gifted education integration, SEL, inclusivity/equity and Service Learning within the K-8 curriculum

Qualifications

• Ed.D., Ph.D., or Psy.D. in clinical or school psychology preferred; or MA degree in counseling, LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC, with a strong understanding of school communities and school-based programs
• Excellent clinical, interpersonal, management, oral, and written communication skills
• Partnership approach to working with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and outside care providers
• Strong knowledge of the ethical and legal considerations related to counseling practices
• Experience in working with gifted students and understanding of the unique needs of this population preferred
• Minimum 2 years of experience working in schools strongly preferred
• Culturally competent and engaged community learner
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to Mirman’s vision, mission and guiding principles
• Exhibits high standards of ethics, moral character, professionalism, and the ability to present oneself as a positive role model for students
• Growth mindset, detail oriented, sense of humor
• First Aid and CPR training required (training provided if not currently certified)
• Valid CA driver license and clear criminal background investigation

Job Perks

• Beautiful, rustic campus easily accessible from both LA’s city and valley sides
• Top-tier medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero to low premium contributions
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% match and immediate vesting
• Flexible tuition eligibility if applicable
• Professional development support including opportunities for growth
• Relocation Assistance
• Paid holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving week, Winter, and Spring breaks) plus personal days
• Community and connection with staff/administration
• Generous benefits package, including pet insurance, Lifelock credit monitoring, flexible spending accounts

• 
  Join an ambitious and joyful community of dedicated and creative professionals building a society where everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. Mirman is a great place to be part of growing future leaders in a supportive and caring school culture that features consistent collaboration, innovative approaches to teaching and learning, a supportive administration, and lifelong connections among faculty and staff inspired by the school’s unique mission. Come marvel at the wonder, humor, and inspiration that nurturing and engaging with highly gifted students naturally brings.

  This position is available immediately and may be structured as either a 10-month academic position or 12-month staff position. To apply, please submit the following three PDF’s to employment@mirman.org:

   

1. Cover letter introducing yourself to the Mirman School Search Committee
2. Resume or CV
3. A response to the following prompt:

Write an e-mail to a parent informing them about a conversation you had with a 5^th grade student about their anxiety and include recommendations for future steps.

At Mirman School, through an inclusive environment, we challenge our students and each other to be dynamic problem-solvers and thoughtful citizens. Mirman does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, ethnic origin, age, physical disability or sexual orientation in administration of our educational policies, hiring policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletics and other school-administered programs.