School Counselor at Pennsylvania School for the Deaf

Wayne State University; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University is seeking a School Counselor to provide comprehensive social-emotional, academic, and career support to students across multiple grade levels. This role collaborates with families, teachers, and staff to promote well-being, resilience, and academic success.

Responsibilities include counseling individuals and groups, referring to resources, participating in IEP or student support meetings, and developing school-wide initiatives while maintaining confidential records.

Qualifications

• ASL proficiency at Level 3 or above (ASLPI) is required; advanced preferred.
• 3-5 years of school counseling experience preferred.
• Experience in Deaf education programs preferred.
• Experience supporting students with autism or developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of counseling and social work best practices; culturally responsive strategies.
• Ability to work with diverse age groups and school levels.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling to support students' social-emotional development, academic progress, and career exploration.
• Consult with teachers, administrators, and staff to address student needs and classroom strategies.
• Assist students in goal-setting, problem-solving, and decision-making to support personal, academic, and career development.
• Identify and refer students to appropriate internal or external resources for support.
• Collaborate with families to address student needs and facilitate student success.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams, including IEP or student support meetings, to provide input on goals.
• Develop and implement school-wide initiatives promoting well-being, inclusion, and resilience.
• Maintain accurate records of counseling sessions, referrals, and interventions in compliance with privacy policies.
• Support students in transitions between grades and post-secondary planning.
• Provide crisis intervention following established protocols and procedures.
• Model PSD's core values in all interactions and responsibilities.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

ASL Proficiency

Experience with Deaf education

Behavioral analysis

Confidentiality & professionalism

Multilevel student support

Collaboration with families & staff

Strong communication

Organizational & problem-solving

Culturally responsive counseling

IEP/meetings participation

Education

Master's in School Counseling / related field

Job description

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Reports to: Supervisor of Related Services

Employment Information: This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt, 10-month union position.

Summary:

The School Counselor provides comprehensive social-emotional, academic, and career support to students across various grade levels and programs. This role works collaboratively with students, families, and school personnel to promote student well-being, support personal growth, and enhance academic success. The School Counselor assists in addressing social-emotional concerns, facilitates access to resources, guides students in goal-setting and decision-making, and provides consultation to teachers and staff. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, the School Counselor helps students develop the skills, resilience, and strategies needed to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and group counseling to support students' social-emotional development, academic progress, and career exploration.
• Consult with teachers, administrators, and other staff to address student needs and support classroom strategies.
• Assist students in goal-setting, problem-solving, and decision-making to enhance personal, academic, and career development.
• Identify and refer students to appropriate internal or external resources for academic, behavioral, social, or emotional support.
• Collaborate with families to address student needs and facilitate student success.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams, including IEP or student support meetings, to provide input on social-emotional and academic goals.
• Develop and implement school-wide initiatives and programs that promote student well-being, inclusion, and resilience.
• Maintain accurate records of counseling sessions, referrals, and interventions in compliance with privacy and school policies.
• Support students in transitions, including school entry, grade-level advancement, or post-secondary planning.
• Provide crisis intervention and support as needed, following established protocols and procedures.
• Model and exhibit PSD's core values Students 1st, Language, Respect, Communication, and Community Engagement in all interactions, decisions, and professional responsibilities.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support student success.

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in School Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of the psychology of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students and their families.
• 3-5 years of experience in school counseling or a related field preferred.
• Experience working in Deaf education programs preferred.
• Experience supporting students with autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, and/or intellectual disabilities.
• Experience with behavioral assessment, data analysis, and development of positive behavior support plans.
• Demonstrated American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency at a Level 3 (ASLPI) or above required; advanced proficiency preferred.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with students, staff, families, and community agencies.
• In-depth understanding of counseling and social work best practices, including culturally responsive strategies.
• Ability to provide support across multiple age groups and school levels.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with professionalism.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Occasional bending, crouching, reaching, or kneeling to interact with students.
• Ability to lift or move items up to 15-25 lbs (e.g., materials, student work, supplies).
• Manual dexterity sufficient for operating computers, phones, and office equipment.
• Visual and auditory ability to observe student behavior and assess communication.

Working Conditions:

• Works in office, classroom, and school-wide settings across multiple departments or programs.
• May travel to off-campus sites or community locations as needed for student support or consultations.
• Exposure to a variety of student behaviors, including challenging or crisis situations.
• May occasionally work evenings or participate in school events outside regular hours.
• Collaborates with diverse staff, families, and community professionals.

Mental & Cognitive Demands:

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, caseloads, and responsibilities simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain focus and composure in high-stress situations.
• Capacity to analyze student data, assessment results, and behavioral observations to inform interventions.
• Effective communication and counseling skills to engage students, staff, and families.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and responsiveness to meet diverse student needs.