Social Worker, Counselor

Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools seeks a dedicated Middle School Social Worker/ Counselor to support the social, emotional, and spiritual development of grades 6–8. Rooted in our Catholic mission, the role fosters a safe, faith-filled learning environment where each student is valued as a child of God.

You will provide individual and small-group counseling, collaborate with families and staff, and lead proactive programs that promote well-being, resilience, and positive behavior across the

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, School Counseling, Counseling, or a closely related field
• Appropriate Michigan licensure or school credential for the services provided
• Experience working with middle school students preferred
• Knowledge of adolescent development, trauma-informed practices, conflict resolution, and mental health referral procedures
• Strong communication, organization, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Commitment to the mission, values, and Catholic identity of the school
• Satisfactory completion of required background checks and school safety requirements

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counseling and small-group support for students experiencing anxiety, stress, friendship conflicts, grief, family changes, bullying, and emotional or behavioral challenges
• Support students in developing healthy coping strategies, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and positive decision-making skills
• Identify students who may benefit from additional support and develop appropriate intervention plans
• Provide age-appropriate lessons or presentations on social-emotional wellness, peer relationships, digital citizenship, and responsible behavior
• Assist with conflict mediation, restorative practices, and reintegration following disciplinary or behavioral incidents
• Communicate and collaborate with parents and guardians regarding student concerns, progress, and support strategies
• Consult with teachers and administrators to identify student needs and develop consistent approaches to support
• Connect families with community mental health providers, family services, and other appropriate resources
• Participate in student support meetings, intervention planning, and appropriate multidisciplinary collaboration
• Respond to student emotional distress, concerning behaviors, and urgent student support needs
• Follow established school procedures for suicide-risk concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, threats of harm, and other safety issues
• Maintain accurate, confidential records in accordance with applicable laws, professional ethics, and school policies
• Understand and follow mandatory reporting requirements and student confidentiality guidelines
• Support the school's Catholic identity by treating each student with dignity, compassion, and respect
• Promote a culture of kindness, belonging, forgiveness, responsibility, and service
• Collaborate with school leadership and pastoral staff when appropriate to support students and families
• Respect the role of faith, prayer, and Catholic teaching in the life of the school while recognizing the distinct professional responsibilities of counseling
• Help establish a proactive student support program rather than relying solely on referrals after problems arise
• Identify trends in student needs and recommend preventive programming
• Maintain appropriate documentation, referral processes, and follow-up procedures
• Evaluate program effectiveness and communicate relevant outcomes to school leadership while protecting student confidentiality

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Trauma-informed practices

Education

Master's degree in Social Work or School Counseling

Job description

The Middle School Social Worker / Counselor supports the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual development of students in grades 6-8. Rooted in the Catholic mission of the school, this individual promotes a safe, supportive, and faith-filled learning environment where each student is recognized as a unique child of God.

Essential Responsibilities

Student Support and Counseling

• Provide individual counseling and small-group support for students experiencing anxiety, stress, friendship conflicts, grief, family changes, bullying, and emotional or behavioral challenges.
• Support students in developing healthy coping strategies, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and positive decision-making skills.
• Identify students who may benefit from additional support and develop appropriate intervention plans.
• Provide age-appropriate lessons or presentations on social-emotional wellness, peer relationships, digital citizenship, and responsible behavior.
• Assist with conflict mediation, restorative practices, and reintegration following disciplinary or behavioral incidents.

Family and Staff Collaboration

• Communicate and collaborate with parents and guardians regarding student concerns, progress, and support strategies.
• Consult with teachers and administrators to identify student needs and develop consistent approaches to support.
• Connect families with community mental health providers, family services, and other appropriate resources.
• Participate in student support meetings, intervention planning, and appropriate multidisciplinary collaboration.

Student Safety and Crisis Response

• Respond to student emotional distress, concerning behaviors, and urgent student support needs.
• Follow established school procedures for suicide-risk concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, threats of harm, and other safety issues.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records in accordance with applicable laws, professional ethics, and school policies.
• Understand and follow mandatory reporting requirements and student confidentiality guidelines.

Catholic Mission and School Culture

• Support the school's Catholic identity by treating each student with dignity, compassion, and respect.
• Promote a culture of kindness, belonging, forgiveness, responsibility, and service.
• Collaborate with school leadership and pastoral staff when appropriate to support students and families.
• Respect the role of faith, prayer, and Catholic teaching in the life of the school while recognizing the distinct professional responsibilities of counseling.

Program Development and Evaluation

• Help establish a proactive student support program rather than relying solely on referrals after problems arise.
• Identify trends in student needs and recommend preventive programming.
• Maintain appropriate documentation, referral processes, and follow-up procedures.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and communicate relevant outcomes to school leadership while protecting student confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, School Counseling, Counseling, or a closely related field.
• Appropriate Michigan licensure or school credential for the services provided.
• Experience working with middle school students preferred.
• Knowledge of adolescent development, trauma-informed practices, conflict resolution, and mental health referral procedures.
• Strong communication, organization, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and Catholic identity of the school.
• Satisfactory completion of required background checks and school safety requirements.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a Catholic school or faith-based educational setting.
• Experience supporting students with anxiety, peer conflict, behavioral concerns, family stressors, and attendance challenges.
• Familiarity with community mental health resources and school-based intervention practices.