6-12 Special Education Counselor

String Theory Schools; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent health benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School is seeking a full-time 2026-2027 Special Education Counselor to join the team at 1600 Vine Street. The counselor will support students with special education needs, collaborate with staff, and ensure compliance with PA certifications and clearances.

The role requires a Master’s in Counseling or Education (or Social Work), PA school counseling certification (or working toward it), 1-3 years of school counseling experience, and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling or education (or social work).
• PA state school counseling certification required; emergency certification not accepted, pursuing certification acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements effective counseling techniques for individual and group students receiving special education services.
• Consults with administrators, faculty, and other special service personnel to tailor curricular offerings to student needs.
• Collaborates with administrators and teachers to identify students with special abilities and needs and appropriate placements.
• Participates in the special education referral process and supports placement in the least restrictive environment.
• Provides guidance services for counseling, coordination, and student appraisal to support educational and personal-social needs.
• Builds relationships with students and families through regular communication and serves as a resource for parents.

Skills

Strong communication

Cultural competence

Collaboration

Data-informed practice

Education

Master’s Degree in Counseling or Education

PA School Counselor Certification (or pursuing)

Job description

2026-2027 6-12 Special Education Counselor

Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School seeks full-time Special Education Counselor to join the team at 1600 Vine Street. At Philadelphia Performing Arts, students engage in a unique educational environment designed to grow the next generation of creative leaders, and where students focus on the arts and sciences as major subjects alongside a technology-infused, project-based, standards- and competency-driven academic curriculum. Our staff are creative, passionate, professional educators that believe every student has specific intelligences that must be nurtured and that all students should have an equal opportunity to achieve their own innate potential.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Counseling or Education (or Social Work)
• Valid Pennsylvania Certificate in School Counseling; Licensure as a Social Worker in Pennsylvania can be considered as a qualification
• 1-3 years experience as a School Counselor
• Experience working with Special Education students
• Criminal history, child abuse and FBI clearances (Acts 34, 151 and FBI)
• Candidates must be US Citizens and have permission to work in the United States. Philadelphia Performing Arts will not sponsor a Visa for a candidate.
• Candidates must either have an official PA state school counseling certification, not an emergency certification, or be working towards their official certification.

String Theory Schools counseling candidates...

• are passionate about creative arts and sciences
• are undaunted by urban challenges and dynamic change
• value multi-disciplinary collaboration
• know technology can transform learning experiences
• apply feedback and constructive criticism with grace
• understand that hard work and fun are not mutually exclusive
• accept responsibility for student growth
• not only think outside the box, but can find compelling reasons why the box isn’t necessary
• Develops and implements effective counseling techniques with individual and/or groups of students receiving special education services to provide assistance in meeting academic and social needs.
• Consults with school administrators, faculty, and other special service personnel relative to the curricular offering which meet the abilities, interests, and needs of students.
• Collaborates with administrators and teachers in identifying students with special abilities and needs and in providing appropriate classroom placement.
• Participates in the special education referral process.
• Supports the placement of identified students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.
• Supports programs and actions that facilitate a positive, caring climate for learning
• Provides guidance services for counseling, consultation, coordination, and student appraisal to meet the educational, vocational, and personal-social needs of students receiving special education services.
• Build relationships with students and families through thoughtful and frequent communication
• Counsels and serves as a resource person for parents on problems affecting the orderly educational, physical, emotional, and social growth of the student receiving special education services.
• Experience working in diverse settings and/or commitment to improving one’s own cultural competence.
• Analyze and regularly use both qualitative and quantitative data to inform your practice
• Access to best-in-class technology resources and a physical framework designed with innovative learning in mind
• Excellent health benefits (for both you and your family), retirement benefits, and more!