Upper School Counselor

Job Details

Potomac, MD

Full Time

Graduate Degree

Instructional Faculty

Description

Bullis School seeks an Upper School Counselor to support our caring and inclusive community starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. This position involves overseeing the emotional, social, and behavioral health and well-being of students in the Upper School. This position will join a team of existing counselors to ensure that we continue to meet the individual needs of our student body and address the collective wellness objectives of the Bullis Community.

In collaboration with Upper School Administrators, the counseling team supports wellness education and school policies around mental health, wellbeing, and mandated reporting. Counselors at Bullis provide short-term counseling and crisis intervention to students and make recommendations for outside mental health and therapeutic support. Counselors develop and facilitate relevant health education programs such as substance abuse awareness and education, healthy relationship dynamics, the senior transition to college, and other relevant topics. Counselors work with teachers to determine student needs, offer guidance, facilitate communication, and advocate on how to best support students in the classroom.

Working at Bullis means being a part of a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and development. We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits that make it an ideal place to build a thriving career. If you are passionate about education and want to make a difference in the lives of young individuals, we want to hear from you!

Duties & Qualifications

Essential Functions

Provide short-term individual and group counseling and crisis intervention for Upper School students

Provide recommendations to families about outside support and referrals for various therapeutic assessments and ongoing mental health treatment

Serve as the main point of contact on student’s mental health, wellness, and social-emotional issues to teachers, administrators, families, and clinical providers

Work closely with teachers to offer guidance, facilitate communication, and advocate on how to best support students

Play a key role in crisis management situations involving students and determine when clinical intervention is required

Assist and work collaboratively with the Academic Support Team

Attend and participate in weekly Student Review Committee meetings to discuss student progress, to identify behavioral, academic, and other problems, to provide solutions/strategies, and appropriate resources for students

Teach one health class per trimester

Partner with school administration to review and support school policies around mental health, bullying, and mandated reporting

Maintain accurate and confidential student records and behavioral data as it appropriately pertains to student’s emotional well-being

Facilitate a variety of relevant health and education programs for students and parents, including substance abuse awareness and education, healthy relationship dynamics, senior transition to college, and other relevant topics

Work with grade-level teams and the Assistant Heads of School to assist with additional programming for orientation, experiential education opportunities, advisory, and assemblies

Other Duties

Seek opportunities to maintain visibility in the community, such as serving as a student club sponsor, coaching a team, task force participant, and other ad hoc opportunities

Serve as an Upper School Advisor

Other duties as assigned by the Director of Wellness

Qualities of a Bullis Counselor

An appreciation and respect for high school-aged students as learners and people, through challenging and joyful moments alike

Commitment and knowledge to work with and lead groups of diverse individuals in respectful, equitable, and inclusive ways

Empathetic and able to cultivate positive relationships with young people

A proven collaborator and strong communicator who can work with all internal and external members of the community

Use of reflection and feedback aimed at continued growth

Good cheer, humor, and warmth, balanced by professionalism and sound judgment

Detail-oriented, with the capacity to effectively and efficiently manage numerous small and large tasks

Able to exchange accurate information in situations with parents, students, and other health professionals

Proven ability to maintain accurate detailed records and confidentiality

Education and Experience

Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or related mental health field required

Minimum of five years of experience working as a counselor in a student-centered, community-based independent school, focused on students in upper grades

Compensation and benefits are competitive, with an anticipated annual salary range of $75,000 to $100,000

Benefits include:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Employer-provided basic life insurance

Employer-provided short-term and long-term disability

401(k) employer match and safe harbor contribution, up to 7% of annual compensation