Details
Posted: 22-Dec-22
Location: Ojai, California
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Health/Safety
School Counseling
Job Description
The Director of Counseling and Wellness oversees the development and implementation of Thacher’s comprehensive school counseling and wellness program in partnership with the student life team. This position reports to the director of student life and serves as a student advocate who works collaboratively with school leadership, faculty, and outside partners to promote the academic and social-emotional development and wellbeing of Thacher’s students.
Essential Functions
- Collaborate with the director of student life and other members of the school leadership team to develop and implement Thacher’s strategic approach to counseling and wellness
- Lead, design, and implement a scope and sequence for social-emotional learning and wellness programming across the school, including through wellness center and dorm programming; training for student leaders, faculty, and staff; school-wide speakers and programming days; and the ninth-grade skills course.
- Oversee and mentor school counselors, including on-campus counselors and therapists and other mental health providers Thacher refers to as part of our counseling network.
- Support the work of building a diverse mental health network of off-campus providers, both in modality and identity.
- Work in partnership with families to make referrals to mental health care providers in the community as appropriate; maintain communication with mental health providers to ensure consistency and continuity of care.
- Serve as a member of the school counseling team, providing short-term solution-focused counseling to students in need.
- Teach one course or its equivalent.
Additional Duties
- Partner with the health center and members of school leadership to lead mental health crisis-response support, including evaluating and assessing students for mental health concerns.
- Partner with the health center and director of student life to support students on extended health leaves.
- Provide periodic parent education through presentations, participation on school panels, etc.
- Supervise and support the wellness center coordinator.
- Work closely with dorm heads to support emotional health and wellness in Thacher’s residential life program.
- Collaborate with the director of studies and director of academic support to support students’ academic experience, in particular to provide counsel and expertise on student learning differences and difficulties.
- Participate in the residential program through attendance at community dinner, evening duty one weeknight/week and approximately six weekends/year.
- Partner with colleagues to co-lead two outdoor backcountry trips a year (five nights in the fall and five nights in the spring).
Professional Qualities of Thacher Faculty & Staff
- Contributes to the delivery of the mission, vision, and values of the school community.
- Builds, fosters and participates in an inclusive school community.
- Models lifelong learning, flexibility, and a growth mindset.
- Maintains a commitment to professional development.
- Maintains high standards of professionalism with students and colleagues.
- Manages time effectively and meets deadlines and commitments.
- Values collaboration with colleagues and participating actively in a community of students and adults.
- Embraces and actively participates in signature Thacher programs, including our outdoor program.
- Exhibits flexibility and adaptability to change as needed.
Education & Experience
Master’s degree in psychology, psychiatry, counseling, clinical social work, or related field, with clinical licensure in the State of California or the ability to obtain California licensure. A minimum of three to five years of experience working with adolescents in a school or clinical setting.
Other Requirements
A current (or ability to obtain) California driver license with a satisfactory motor vehicle record and ability to transport students in school-owned vehicles. A criminal background check must be successfully completed before employment can begin.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. As prescribed by law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Salary Range
$60,000-$100,000; compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and internal equity and may fall outside of the range shown. Thacher offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 403(b) match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits.
Ready to Apply?
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume via email to the attention of Tracy Miller, Assistant Head of School, at tmiller@thacher.org. Include “Director of Counseling and Wellness” in the subject line.
About The Thacher School
The Thacher School is one of the most selective and highly regarded boarding schools in the nation. Founded in 1889 by Sherman Day Thacher, the School serves academically talented students from over 20 states and close to 10 countries in a rigorous college preparatory experience. More than 54% of students identify as people of color. The faculty and students live and work closely together on a 427-acre campus nestled in the foothills of the Los Padres National Forest in Ojai, California (85 miles north of Los Angeles). Honor, fairness, kindness, and truth are the cornerstones of School life. Together, the School community commits to the belief that demands in the academic classroom, when combined with those of mountains and horses, of sports and the arts, produce independent minds, strong bodies, and powerful character. The School enrolls 250 students, has an operating budget of $25 million, and an endowment of $180 million.
The Thacher School is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran’s status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable law.
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