School Counselor – Social​/Emotional Support

Overview

Under the general supervision by the Director of Social Emotional Counseling and in collaboration with leadership of the organization, the Social Emotional Counselor provides direct support and guidance to students at Detroit Cristo Rey High School, fostering their social, emotional, and academic well-being. This role is responsible for implementing counseling programs, providing individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and collaborating with faculty, families, and community partners.

The Counselor ensures all practices align with the school’s Catholic identity, mission, and values, and promotes a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment.

• Provide individual and group counseling to students addressing social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Develop and implement school-wide programs to promote mental health, wellness, and positive school climate.
• Respond to student crises and provide immediate intervention and support.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to identify and address student needs.
• Provide encouragement, expertise, and support for faculty members experiencing difficulty in handling disciplinary student issues within or outside the classroom.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of counseling sessions and interventions.
• Refer students and families to appropriate community resources and services as needed.
• Conduct assessments and develop intervention plans for students at risk.
• Facilitate workshops and presentations for students, staff, and parents on relevant topics (e.g., stress management, conflict resolution, bullying prevention).
• Establish and maintain professional partnerships with local mental health organizations, community service providers, and protective services for referrals and extended support.
• Support the school’s mission and Catholic values in all interactions and programming.
• Participate in school-wide events and contribute to a faith-filled, inclusive school environment.
• Remain current in best practices in school counseling and mental health.
• Maintain regular and consistent on-site attendance.
• Operate standard office equipment and use required software applications.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned including substitute teaching and lunch duty coverage.

• Knowledge of school counseling practices, child and adolescent development, and mental health interventions.
• Knowledge of Catholic school operations and values.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and referral procedures.
• Skill in counseling, assessment, and intervention strategies.
• Skill in facilitating group discussions and workshops.
• Skill in operating standard office equipment and using required software applications, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to build rapport and trust with students, families, and staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school leadership, faculty, parents, and community partners.
• Ability to uphold and model Catholic values in all aspects of the role.
• Ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to handle stressful situations and provide a high level of support in a calm and professional manner.
• Ability to partner with other functional areas to accomplish objectives.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, ensuring that all viewpoints, ideas and problems are addressed.
• Ability to gather information, identify linkages and trends and apply findings to student situations.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies and identify and recommend changes as appropriate.
• Ability to organize, manage and track multiple detailed tasks and assignments with frequently changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in school counseling or related field, preferably in a school or nonprofit setting. Or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and/or training approved by Human Resources.
• Licenses/Certifications:
  
  None required at date of hire. LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or any of the Mental Health Counseling related licenses preferred.
• Language:
  Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish a plus (verbal and written) but not required.

Hours:

Normal school hours with occasional evenings/weekends for school events or parent meetings.

Travel Required:

Minimal local travel.
Working Environment:
School environment with occasional visits to community agencies or events.

Archdiocese of Detroit