School Counselor

Making Waves Academy; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Health Coverage

Work-Life Balance

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Richmond, CA, seeks a dedicated counselor who will advocate for student well-being and lead multi-disciplinary approaches. This role involves delivering counseling programs to support students in grades 5-12 and responding to crises with professionalism. The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor's degree in a related field, possess a valid California PPS credential, and have 2+ years of experience in a school setting. Benefits include full health coverage and emphasis on work-life balance.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a 5–12 school setting.
• Ability to analyze student data to identify and support at-risk subgroups.
• Experience managing complex administrative requirements like 504s and IEPs.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a comprehensive counseling program using MTSS and Restorative Justice frameworks.
• Lead short-term individual counseling and targeted group sessions.
• Act as the primary responder for students in acute distress.
• Serve as a clinical expert in Pre-SST and IEP meetings.
• Manage the Student Support Services database and analyze data.

Skills

Crisis management

Emotional maturity

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in School Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work

Valid California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential

Job description

Overview

Salary: $85,000 - $110,000 | CalSTRS Retirement Eligible | Exempt | Location: Richmond, CA (Making Waves Academy Campus)

The Impact You’ll Make: You are more than a counselor; you are an advocate, a strategist, and a lifeline. At Making Waves Academy, your work isn’t just about sessions—it’s about interrupting inequity. You will build the emotional architecture that allows our students to thrive in a high-performing environment. You thrive at the intersection of clinical expertise and educational advocacy, ensuring every Wave-Maker is seen, heard, and supported.

Responsibilities

As a critical member of our Student Support Services team, you will lead our multi-disciplinary approach to student well-being. From Tier 1 classroom lessons to Tier 3 crisis intervention, you own the student experience.

Your day-to-day includes:

• Driving Student Outcomes: Deliver a comprehensive counseling program using MTSS and Restorative Justice frameworks to support students across grades 5–12.
• Direct Support: Leading short-term individual counseling and targeted group sessions to address immediate mental health and social-emotional needs.
• Crisis Leadership: Acting as the primary responder for students in acute distress, ensuring 100% compliance with California mandated reporting and state laws.
• Strategic Collaboration: Serving as a clinical expert in Pre-SST and IEP meetings to help teams draft and meet student goals.
• Data-Driven Advocacy: Managing the Student Support Services database and "Non-Cognitive Dashboard" to track attendance and behavior trends, using data to close equity gaps.

Requirements & Qualifications

You are a high-performing professional who remains calm in "crisis mode." You possess the emotional maturity to handle high-stakes dynamics and the technical skill to manage complex administrative requirements like 504s and IEPs.

You’ll need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in School Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work.
• Valid California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling (Required).
• 2+ years of experience in a 5–12 school setting.
• The ability to analyze student data to identify and support at-risk subgroups.

Even better if you have:

• A Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Deep proficiency in MTSS, PBIS, and Restorative Justice philosophies.

Benefits & Why Making Waves Academy

When you join our team, you join a movement dedicated to intergenerational change. We support our employees as holistically as we support our students.

• 100% Health Coverage: We cover 100% of most premiums for medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy all school holidays and breaks to ensure you have time to recharge.

Community Immersion: We are a close-knit, supportive community that values your professional growth and your personal well-being.