Falmouth Academy is seeking a full-time School Counselor for the 2026-2027 academic year. The position could start as early as spring 2026, but no later than mid-August 2026. Aligned with the school’s mission and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Principles of Good Practice, the Counselor supports students' intellectual, social, emotional, and ethical development through a comprehensive, developmentally responsive counseling program.

The School Counselor reports to the Head of School and serves as a core member of the Student Support Leadership Team alongside the Dean of Students, Middle School Coordinator, and faculty advisors. This team collaborates closely to coordinate student well-being, behavioral support, academic engagement, and community health across divisions. In addition, the School Counselor serves as a confidential advisor and consultation partner to the Head of School on matters related to student well-being, school climate, community health, and emerging social-emotional trends.

As the school’s primary counseling professional, the School Counselor designs and delivers a proactive, preventive, community-based model that emphasizes group interventions, classroom partnerships, faculty consultation, and community education, while providing limited short-term individual counseling and crisis support as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 Counseling Program Leadership

• Design, implement, assess, and continuously refine a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with NAIS Principles of Good Practice and the school’s mission
• Develop a counseling model that prioritizes group counseling, psychoeducational programming, and classroom-based social-emotional learning
• Use qualitative and quantitative data, observation, and community feedback to inform program development and resource allocation
• Build partnerships with local universities and counseling training programs to host supervised practicum and internship placements that expand student support capacity while upholding professional, ethical, and supervisory standards

Student Support & Well-Being

• Facilitate small-group counseling and preventative interventions that support student growth, resilience, and healthy relationships
• Provide short-term, goal-focused individual counseling for situational concerns while maintaining appropriate boundaries between school counseling and long-term clinical therapy
• Conduct risk assessments and collaborate with school leadership in crisis response and safety planning
• Maintain referral relationships with community-based providers and support families in accessing external mental health resources
• Monitor student well-being trends and proactively address emerging needs
• Advise student clubs focused on social-emotional well-being
• Provide learning sessions to parents and guardians on relevant topics

 Collaboration & Consultation

• Partner with teachers, advisors, and administrators through consultation and shared problem-solving
• Participate in student support teams and contribute a whole-child, equity-minded perspective
• Collaborate with families as partners in student development while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
• Support faculty and staff through guidance on student mental health, social-emotional learning, and developmentally appropriate practices
• Serve as a member of the Admissions and Retention Committees, contributing insights related to student support, transitions, and long-term student success
• Serve on internal committees supporting community safety and student well-being

Ethical Practice & Systems Management

• Uphold ethical standards consistent with professional counseling organizations and NAIS expectations
• Maintain accurate documentation and confidentiality in accordance with state and federal regulations
• Establish and maintain protocols for crisis response, mandated reporting, referrals, and re-entry after hospitalization or extended absence
• Apply trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive practices

Community Engagement & Professional Growth

• Contribute to a school culture that values wellness, inclusion, and belonging
• Engage in ongoing professional development related to adolescent development, group counseling, and school-based mental health
• Participate in supervision, consultation, or professional learning communities as appropriate

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, or a related field
• Appropriate state licensure or certification (or eligibility)
• Experience in school-based counseling, independent schools, and/or group counseling models preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a school community
• Excellent verbal and communication skills
• Excellent organization skills
• Ability to use technology efficiently

Falmouth Academy does not discriminate in employment, recruitment, admission, or the administration of any of its programs based on race, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical disability.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to Leslie Walters, Assistant to the Head of School, at candidates@falmouthacademy.org. 

About FALMOUTH ACADEMY

Falmouth Academy is an independent, college-preparatory day school serving approximately 200 students in grades 7 through 12. Since 1977, Falmouth Academy has been educating students from communities across Cape Cod and the Islands, the South Coast, Southeastern Massachusetts, and overseas. The school, noted for its sustainable campus, is located on 34 acres of fields and woods adjacent to the pristine Beebe Woods conservation area, a short walk from historic Falmouth village and a quick drive from Woods Hole and its world-renowned ocean research centers and ferry terminal serving Martha's Vineyard. Falmouth Academy boasts impressive facilities with state-of-the-art science labs, a 10,000 sq. ft. performing arts center, music classroom, meeting hall, art and ceramics studios, darkroom and digital photography lab, a library, gymnasium, and ample classroom and office space.

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