Purpose
Fryeburg Academy, a 650-student day and boarding high school in Western Maine and the Mount Washington Valley, seeks a school counselor beginning late August 2023. The school counselor is a professional educator focused on helping students achieve success at Fryeburg Academy and beyond–this includes students’ transition to the academy, support while enrolled at the academy, and post-secondary options and placement. The school counselor provides proactive, over-time guidance that engages all stakeholders in the constellation surrounding students. This individual works for 10 days preceding and a week following a school year, respectively, and is responsible for light email correspondence throughout the summer; s/he reports directly to the Director of School Counseling and works regularly with other school counselors, grade-level deans, school support team members, Dean of Faculty, and the Director of Studies.
Duties/Essential Functions
- Cultivates acquaintance and maintains regular contact with students on his/her/their caseload
- Provides regular individualized support in the three spheres of academic advising, post-secondary/career planning, and social-emotional support for all students on one’s caseload
- Administers a comprehensive gr. 9-12 counseling curriculum based on student needs–including advisory content
- Provides assistance with standardized testing (PSAT, SAT, AP, TOEFL, and ACT: others as appropriate)
- Administers all aspects of post-secondary search and application/admission process—develops appropriate college/program lists, assists with applications, writes recommendations, collects, completes, and sends all supporting materials
- Advises student course selection and scheduling; developing 4-year academic plans with students
- Develops effective familiarity and connections with a broad variety of American colleges, universities, and other post-secondary training and study programs; stays abreast of the latest information regarding college admissions
- Consults and communicates with appropriate school personnel regarding student concerns and participates on the school-wide Student Support Team and Resident Wellness Team
- Maintains professionalism: adheres to laws and ethical standards of school counseling
- Provides students with social and emotional support as needed; provides responsive crisis intervention, short-term counseling, and makes appropriate referrals the school social worker and/or outside mental health service providers
- Assumes additional responsibilities as directed by the Director of School Counseling, Head of School, or HoS designees
Κnowledge, Skills, Dispositions
- Possesses a thorough knowledge of school counseling approaches and practices
- Demonstrates an understanding of child (adolescent) development and behavior
- Possesses engaging interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic
- Is innovative, enthusiastic, energetic, and flexible
- Is experienced with needs of high school age students and their families
- Embraces diversity and differences in all individuals
- Familiar with Learning Management Systems and web-based post-secondary, college and career planning software such as SCOIR and/or Naviance
- Effective organizational abilities and excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrates an ability to work in a variety of settings
- Communicates and works collaboratively with school counseling colleagues and educational community as a whole
- Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth
- Maintains membership with ASCA (American School Counselors Association) and MeSCA (Maine School Counselors Association)
- Cultivates familiarity with relevant, timely issues in school counseling and student support through professional reading
Qualifying Education and Experience
- MS Counseling with a concentration in school counseling or MEd in School Counseling preferred
- Classroom teaching and private/boarding school experience preferred
- All Fryeburg Academy employees are subject to Maine Dept. of Education Criminal History Record Check.
Fryeburg Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
TO APPLY: Interested candidates should submit the following documents in PDF format: application, letter of interest, résumé, college transcripts, and three references. Fryeburg Academy’s application can be accessed by either visiting the employment page of Fryeburg Academy’s website or by requesting one from the Business Office. Application documents can be emailed to Erin Wentworth, Human Resources Manager (ewentworth@fryeburgacademy.org).