Lower School Social-Emotional Counselor

Graded; São Paulo; Hybrid; BRL 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Graded is seeking a School Counselor to support student well-being across MTSS in São Paulo. The role promotes emotional resilience, academic success, and personal growth through proactive, culturally responsive SEL practices.

You will lead universal SEL initiatives, provide targeted counseling, collaborate with teachers, parents, and specialists, and help safeguard students while fostering an inclusive Graded community.

Qualifications

• Master's in school counseling and valid certification.
• Minimum two years of experience as a school counselor.
• Experience with child safeguarding frameworks and protocols.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, parents, and administration.

Responsibilities

• Advise and guide students on SEL and personal growth.
• Lead universal SEL initiatives and trainings.
• Coordinate with SST and school leadership on student support.
• Provide short-term counseling and small-group interventions.
• Collaborate with external partners for safeguarding and wellbeing.
• Organize parent workshops on SEL and student mental health.
• Lead mentoring/advisory sessions across divisions.

Skills

Student advocacy

SEL program development

Conflict resolution

Staff training

Collaboration

Peer mediation

Crisis management

Education

Master's in school counseling

Child safeguarding certification

Job description

## **Primary Purpose of the Position**Graded’s Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Counseling Team integrates international and American best practices to support student well-being. Grounded in the standards set by the International School Counselor Association (ISCA) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the approach is proactive, data-informed, and culturally-responsive.This comprehensive SEL program promotes practices building emotional resilience, academic success, and personal growth. These practices and procedures are within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework and include confidentiality, consent, referrals, and collaboration with Graded teachers and specialists, and external specialists. Fostering equity and inclusion is a core component of the counseling program.Counselors provide support that is accessible and culturally responsive to all students, regardless of background or individual circumstances. They advocate for students facing systemic barriers within the Graded community and work to cultivate an inclusive school environment where every student has an opportunity to succeed.## **Main Duties and Responsibilities****Tier 1: Universal Supports:*** Serve as a student advocate for all students on their caseload;* Lead divisionally and contribute to divisional social-emotional learning (SEL) programs;* Collaborate to further develop school-wide behavior expectations with school leadership;* Lead student of concern processes brainstorming strategies with teams of teachers that includes SEL, executive function, behaviors, and instructional strategies;* Participate in divisional Student Support Team (SST) processes;* Provide teacher and staff training on SEL strategies and mental health awareness;* Support and/or leading conflict resolution and peer mediation;* Organize and/or support wellness and resilience-building initiatives;* Organize and lead parent educational workshops on SEL and student mental health;* Lead, assist, and/or deliver MS Advisory, HS Mentoring, LS Guidance, and HS Seminar curricula that integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) principles;* Transition students in and out of Graded and between school divisions. Meet with new students and families for orientation and transition support;* Advise and communicate with trip leaders regarding precautions for students of concern prior to school trips;* Lead and participate in CSG training for faculty and staff and deliver CSG lessons to students;* Lead the Student Ambassador Program.**Tier 2: Targeted Supports:*** Provide time-limited individual or small-group interventions for students requiring additional social-emotional or behavioral support;* Provide short-term individual and group counseling to address students' academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.**Tier 3: Intensive Supports:*** Collaborative work with external support services to promote student well-being;* Develop and case manage individualised student support and plans, such as behavior plans and SEL accommodation plans;* Co-case manage individual student plans with learning support and nursing when needed;* Participate in the crisis management response team when needed;* Participate in child safeguarding response teams;* Receive, document, and report child safeguarding concerns.## **Certifications and Education*** Master's in school counseling or equivalent and a valid certification (or the substantial equivalent);* Training and experience in child safeguarding practices and processes;* Fluent in English written and verbal communication.## **Experience*** Minimum two years of experience serving as a school counselor.* Experience in child safeguarding frameworks, systems, and protocols.* Experience fostering a collaborative and supportive approach when working alongside teachers, parents, and administration.* Experience leading the support of SEL issues through peer mediation, restorative practices, and targeted interventions.