School Counselor

Purpose: The School Counselor responds to students' social and emotional needs, helping to maintain a healthy and safe school community where students can thrive.

What You Will Do:

• Provide initial screening assessments, consultation, and referrals for students needing outpatient counseling or other professional services off campus.
• Work an 80% position. This means that you will work primarily 4 days per week, with the opportunity to accompany our students on excursions as needed. We will work together to determine the overall schedule for the school year to ensure support and maintain the 80% agreement. This role is eligible for all FT benefits.
• Provide crisis triage and short-term counseling for students in grades K-12.
• Serve as a liaison between professionals in the community (who are working with our students) and the school to maintain continuity of care.
• Support the homebase advisory program in lower, middle and upper school, collaborating with Division Directors as well as Middle and Upper School Deans in this process.
• Provide classroom-based and small group programming such as social skills groups and serve as a co-advisor for homebase.
• Consult with parents, faculty, administration, and staff to support the academic, social, and emotional needs of students.
• Develop, implement and monitor behavioral support and management plans for students (sometimes in partnership with outside providers)
• Collaborate and communicate with Student Support Services regarding scheduling of staffings and serving the emotional needs of students on their roster.
• Establish yourself as a visible fixture in school by participating in a variety of community-building activities during the academic day, in the evening and on weekends as needed. This includes supporting the school's speaker's series and retreats designed to further the school's mission of character education.
• Attend division-specific faculty meetings and other departmental meetings to represent Psychological Support Services. This includes meeting before and after the school day.
• Participate on student and faculty committees designed to further social and emotional programming and initiatives.
• Pursue continuous professional development in accordance with degree and licensure requirements. Provide care consistent with best practices in the field.
• Report to the school's Staff Psychologist and the Director of Student Support Services (as a secondary supervisor).
• Participate in clinical supervision with Dr. Deborah Zwick (School Psychological Consultant) Who You Are:
  • You hold a Master's degree in the field of Counseling, Psychology or Social Work.
  • You have a current license in Colorado. This may be an LPC or an LSW. If you have an LPCC we would be happy to talk with you about your specific credentials.
  • You have a minimum of 3 years experience as a counselor, ideal candidates will have some experience with independent schools and a strong understanding of the developmental needs of children and adolescents.
  • You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues, students, and families.
  • You are a "raise your hand" type of person. You're interested in participating in school events like backcountry orientation trips, field trips, sitting at lunch tables, assisting with carpool, hut trips, and Ski Fridays as necessary. You are ready to participate fully in the life of the school.
  • You are willing to provide general supervision of students
  • You are ble to communicate in a timely and professional manner with students, parents, colleagues, and volunteers
  • You are ready to attend meetings and assist with afternoon/evening programs/events; some of which may occur outside of the school day
  • You are comfortable doing psychoeducational presentations for parents and students
  • You actively promote the mission of the school Who We Are:

    Vail Mountain School is a rapport-based independent school that is proud of our roots in the Vail Valley. We are a group of active people who are committed to instilling the value of our natural surroundings to the next generation through education, responsibility, and kindness. VMS is a caring and thoughtful organization committed to the lives of our employees. We offer a competitive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to fit the needs of our faculty and staff. We offer a monthly wellness benefit reimbursement as well as FSA and HSA options depending on your health insurance elections. We focus on the professional development of our faculty and staff through individual professional development opportunities. Vail Mountain School is proud to offer competitive compensation based on your life experience.

    VMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, intentionally committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We welcome candidates representing a full spectrum of race, ability, gender, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation. A VMS education embraces both the open exchange of ideas and learning from differing perspectives, inclusive of the beliefs and identities reflected within the community. Qualifications for employment include a demonstrated commitment to these principles.