Elementary and Middle School Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY
The Elementary and Middle School Counselor supports students’ ability to be safe, engaged, and successful in the school environment by addressing social-emotional and behavioral needs that impact learning and well-being through the lens of Christ-centered education. This role emphasizes early identification, short-term support, and coordination of services, and is not intended to provide ongoing or intensive therapeutic counseling. The counselor serves as a key connector between students, families, staff, and external resources.

EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the School’s Foundational Statements and mission through word and deed. 
• Integrate Biblical principles and Scripture into daily activities. 
• Minister to students through prayer, encouragement, and wise counsel.
• Follow safety protocols for where students can be and how to secure the building.
• Be timely in reporting to work and when at work.
• Carry out the procedures and protocols in the employee handbook and respect decisions made by leadership.
• Maintain open communication with leadership regarding questions, concerns, and needs.
• As a representative of the school, all written and verbal interactions with parents/guardians, co-workers, and the community must be professional and reflect the school positively. This includes one’s appearance, the content of the communication, and presentation of it.
• Professionally represents the school in interactions with parents, community, staff, and students.
• Remain professional in attire and behavior.
• Submit time off requests in a timely manner. Provide at least seven days’ notice, when possible, for planned medical appointments. In the case of an emergency or unexpected illness, employees must notify their direct supervisor as soon as practicable.
• This position is required to maintain a timesheet which includes arrival time, breaks over one hour, and departure time.
• Maintain confidentiality of all matters pertaining to students, employees, and donors as outlined in NPC’s Confidentiality Agreement.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Support, Triage & Referral

• Provide brief, solution-focused individual and small-group support to address immediate social-emotional or behavioral concerns impacting school functioning. 
• Identify students experiencing challenges such as anxiety, peer conflict, emotional regulation difficulties, family changes, or trauma. 
• Assess student needs and determine appropriate next steps, including school-based supports or referral to outside services. 
• Develop short-term intervention plans focused on improving students’ ability to function safely and successfully in school.
• Monitor student progress and adjust supports or referrals as needed. 

Scope of Counseling Services

• Deliver short-term, school-based support; does not provide long-term or intensive therapy. 
• Focus on skill-building, problem-solving, and stabilization rather than ongoing clinical treatment. 
• Refer students requiring sustained or specialized mental health care to qualified external providers. 

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Prevention

• Deliver classroom lessons, small groups, and workshops that build skills such as self-regulation, conflict resolution, resilience, and responsible decision-making.
• Cool Class lesson writing and administration for Middle School.
• Support school-wide initiatives that promote student wellness, safety, and a positive school climate. 
• Provide proactive programming to reduce behavioral concerns and increase student readiness to learn. 

Behavioral Support & School Functioning

• Collaborate with teachers and staff to address behaviors that interfere with learning or safety. 
• Support implementation of school-wide systems (e.g., Generous Students, Blue Envelope protocol). 
• Assist building principals with conflict resolution, de-escalation, and peer mediation as appropriate. 
• Blue Envelope training administration. 

Crisis Response & Student Safety

• Respond to immediate student safety concerns and participate in crisis intervention and risk assessment. 
• Serve as a member of the school’s crisis response team. 
• Follow mandated reporting laws and all safeguarding/child protection policies. 

Consultation & Collaboration

• Partner with teachers, administrators, and staff to support student needs within the school setting. 
• Serve as a resource to staff on strategies that promote student well-being and classroom success. 
• Communicate with families regarding concerns that impact student safety and school functioning. 
• Collaborate with high school counselors when appropriate.
• Support PSAT and SAT testing preparation and administration.
• MAP testing data collaboration with High School Counselors.

Referrals & Resource Coordination

• Facilitate referrals to community-based mental health providers and support services for students requiring. ongoing care (e.g., Pine Rest, Epic Discoveries, Counseling Center of WM, and Ellie Mental Health).
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local mental health and family resources (e.g., Network 180).
• Support families in accessing services and navigating next steps. 

Documentation & Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, confidential records of student interactions, interventions, and referrals. 
• Track outcomes related to student safety, engagement, and school functioning. 
• Engage in professional development and contribute to school-wide initiatives. 

Additional Duties

• Support attendance interventions when related to social-emotional or family factors. 
• Provide staff training on student mental health, trauma-informed practices, and referral processes. 
• Facilitate workshops on social skills, behavioral expectations, and school readiness. 
• At the start of the school year, the employee will use 30 minutes during the Elementary back-to-school session to present their role to faculty, clarify responsibilities, and establish schedules for the first half of the year. 
• Attend the 6th-grade camp and lead a group at the 8th-grade retreat.
• Support Middle School Marketplace and J-term as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Active Christian in agreement with and willing to sign the NorthPointe Christian School’s Foundational statements
• Hold a master’s degree in school counseling
• Meet Michigan certification/licensure standards 
• Fulfill continuing education requirements
• Able to pass required background checks and fingerprint screening