Overview

Bronx Community Charter School (BxC) is seeking a middle school counselor to support the social and emotional lives of our middle school students and to work with their families. 

BxC is a small K-8 learning community founded on the principle that children learn best when they are active participants in their own learning.  Our students raise questions about the world around them, engage with a wide range of materials, and learn through their interactions with each other and all of the adults in the school community.  Children learn to use their minds well, cultivating strong intellectual habits and skills to become self-directed learners with clear passions and ambitions.  Teachers know children deeply and develop powerful curriculum to meet the needs and interests of their students.  All members of our school community are committed to making thoughtful choices, advancing democratic values, and effecting change in the broader community.

BxC is located in the Norwood neighborhood of the Bronx and serves children and families from throughout Community School District 10.  85% of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch, 26% receive special education services, and 19% are classified as English Language Learners.

BxC counselors and teachers are deeply committed to collaboration and collective decision-making to best serve our students.  We speak to and about students and families respectfully, and problem-solve together to help them build social, emotional, and academic strategies and skills.

Through a two week Summer Institute, weekly grade team and staff meetings, schoolwide committees, and more, BxC staff members’ voices and ideas are fundamental to the success of our school.  We have consistently high levels of staff retention. BxC is proud to be one of the few charter schools in NYC with a unionized staff.

 JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

  • Provide individual and group counseling to students who are mandated for services through the Committee on Special Education or children identified as at-risk.
  • Facilitate lunchtime social groups for middle school students to support their social and emotional development.
  • Help to develop advisory curriculum to address the social and emotional needs of the student population.
  • Work with colleagues to identify at-risk students and develop appropriate supports to better address students’ needs.
  • Communicate effectively with middle school students, families, and colleagues.
  • Work collaboratively and effectively with teachers to better understand and support the needs of challenging students.
  • Advocate for students’ social, emotional, and academic needs in the school setting and community.
  • Refer families and students to outside community agencies, on an as-needed basis.
  • Use student, family, and school assessments to effectively and appropriately identify needs that impact student learning and develop effective intervention strategies.
  • Provide crisis intervention and behavior management strategies to expedite students’ progress in the classroom environment.
  • Develop evidence-based practice short- and long-term treatment plans consistent with school curriculum and culture; students’ needs, strengths, diversity and life experiences; and social and emotional factors.
  • Maintain up-to-date records of all school related actions and direct services provided.

 QUALIFICATIONS

Requirements:

  • Master’s degree in social work or counseling from accredited institution
  • Possess or be in the process of obtaining New York State license and school certification
  • Experience working with middle school aged children
  • Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of students
  • Knowledge of child development and special education
  • Excellent collaborative skills and organization skills

 Preferred:

  • Spanish proficiency strongly preferred
  • Previous experience working in schools