Exempt Position

Reports to

Director of Middle School and Assistant Head of School

Start Date

August/September 2024

William Penn Charter School is an all-gender, Quaker, pre-K-12 independent day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we

challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global

connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students

to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that

make a difference.

Position Summary

Penn Charter seeks a full-time (10-month) Middle School Counselor to begin in the 2024-2025 academic year. The successful candidate will form part of a three-person counseling team (Lower School counselor, Middle School counselor, and Upper School counselor) and also work closely with students, parents and caregivers, faculty and other members of the school administration. The counselor will provide partnership, support, instruction and education to our students, teachers, parents and caregivers in meeting the social and emotional needs of our students in grades 6-8. In an effort to maximize student success and well-being, the Middle School counselor works closely with the Middle School Wellness team to develop a healthy school culture. The successful candidate will also support our community through proactive educational efforts that focus on mental and emotional health, self-advocacy, good communication skills, healthy decision-making, transitions between grades and divisions, resiliency and more.

Applicants must possess a Master’s degree in counseling or related field, a minimum of 5 years of previous work experience in a counseling related field and an interest in working with a diverse population. The successful candidate will also embrace student-centered pedagogy, model curiosity and a desire for professional growth, and be willing to work collaboratively with colleagues. Additionally, they will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion both in their counseling and teaching practice and in building relationships. Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism and Quaker education is highly desirable. 

Essential Functions

• Support the social, emotional and mental health needs of students to enhance their learning and developmental growth through skills-based and problem-solving interventions including short term individual and small group sessions.
• Collaborate with and support teachers in establishing and maintaining a healthy and balanced learning environment for students. 
• Work collaboratively with school leadership to respond to crisis situations involving students and/or other members of the community. 
• Assist families by providing information and guidance as well as support in finding out-of-school therapeutic support. Communicate and partner with outside of school clinicians to implement interventions and student support in the school setting.
• Serve as a member of the Middle School Wellness Team. 
• In collaboration with other members of the Middle School team, support students in their transitions to Penn Charter and between grades within Penn Charter.
• As a member of the Health, Wellness, and Sexuality department, deliver curriculum to Middle School students on health, social and emotional development or other topics related to mental health. 
• Collaborate with departmental colleagues on lesson, unit, and assessment design.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice both in their teaching practice and in building relationships with students and other community members.
• Participate in a co-curricular activity such as coaching, clubs, assisting with a theatrical performance, or community service.
• Fulfill additional duties of a Middle School team member including attendance at meetings, proctoring study halls and chaperoning trips or dances according to a predetermined schedule.
• Support the admissions process by attending and sometimes presenting at admissions events and periodically reading files of prospective students and consulting with the admissions team. 
• Maintain a growth mindset and actively participate in faculty professional development and supervision, including observations and feedback conversations, with support from the assistant head, division director, and department chair.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Middle School or Assistant Head of School or their designee.
• Please note that given their role and responsibilities, counselors are occasionally called upon outside of traditional work hours to assist with crises or events that impact the school and students' wellbeing.

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish good rapport with students, parents, caregivers and colleagues
• High standards of professionalism and confidentiality
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, attention to detail and follow-through
• Demonstrated ability to respond to challenging situations thoughtfully, flexibly, and with the students’ best interest in mind
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in their approach to the work and building relationships with students and other community members
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and staying current with best practices in the field
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Physical demands

• Intermittent or prolonged periods of sitting and standing
• Ability to lift approximately 20 pounds
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Counseling or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of previous work experience in a counseling related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Quaker Education and the Religious Society of Friends
• Experience working in a PK-12 school environment

Salary and benefits  

William Penn Charter School offers competitive salaries and comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. In addition, the school provides generous retirement savings options, sick leave and holidays (including winter and spring breaks), tuition remission for up to two children at a time, and access to robust professional development opportunities via our Teaching and Learning Center and memberships, workshops, and conferences offered by professional organizations. William Penn Charter School is also a qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

We will review application materials as they are submitted and interview candidates on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.