Posted: 18-Jun-25
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Required Education:
Job Title: Middle School Counselor
Office or Division: Middle School
Reports To: Head of Middle School
Effective Dates: 2025-2026 school year (10-month, FTE 1.0)
The Wellington School, a vibrant PreK-12 independent school in Columbus, Ohio, is dedicated to delivering an exceptional education through both traditional and innovative, hands-on teaching methods. Situated in a city known for its dynamic blend of culture and growth, Columbus offers an inviting and exciting place to live and work, boasting a thriving arts scene, multiple universities and higher education options, an expansive Metro Park system, diverse dining, and a welcoming spirit. At Wellington, every member of our community plays a critical role in upholding our values as we help students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow’s world. We strive to provide students, families, and faculty with an educational experience that challenges and inspires, helping all to achieve their fullest potential. Wellington is committed to providing its faculty and staff with professional development opportunities, competitive compensation/benefits package, and a supportive work environment. Diversity and belonging are central to our work, and we invite you to explore our website to learn more about our unique approach to teaching and learning.
Mission
We help students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow's world.
Values
Be Curious
Be Yourself
Be Ambitious
Be Empathetic
Be Responsible
Position Description
Wellington is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking counselor to work with students in grades 5 through 8. The successful candidate will have a love and passion for working with middle schoolers and supporting their social and emotional development. The ideal candidate will have experience and expertise in cultivating positive relationships with students and families, collaborating effectively with colleagues, and providing culturally affirming support to young people. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to operate effectively in diverse environments and interact successfully with people from widely varying backgrounds, contributing to an inclusive and equitable community. The counselor will collaborate with the head of middle school, assistant head of middle school, and members of the leadership and student success teams to impact all areas of student wellbeing and belonging.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, lead, and deliver an engaging, forward-thinking, research-based social-emotional learning and health curriculum to students in grades 5-8.
- Provide culturally affirming support to a diverse student body. These cultural identifiers include, but are not limited to, ethnicity, family status, gender identity and expression, neurodiversity, race, sexuality, and socioeconomic status.
- Support students in developing skills including, but not limited to, healthy peer relationships, social problem solving, and stress management.
- Provide individual and group counseling to students.
- Advise and train faculty and staff on individual student therapeutic needs and best practices to support student needs.
- Identify and use clear protocols for assessing and supporting students in need, students in transition, and safety concerns.
- Refer students and families to behavioral health specialists and collaborate with them to develop support plans for students.
- Offer faculty and staff training and support in social-emotional learning and wellbeing for children.
- Consult with assistant head of middle school and grade-level lead advisors on student behavior and social-emotional needs.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including records on all counseling work.
- Partner with counseling staff, health staff, and Chief Operating Officer to ensure institutional alignment and compliance with Ohio state standards for health and wellbeing curriculum and programming.
- Teach in the middle school dive (elective) program and advise a middle school club.
- Facilitate affinity and belonging groups, as needed, for middle school students.
- Eagerly participate in and actively pursue professional development opportunities based on best practices as well as our school mission and goals.
- Actively embrace, demonstrate, and model equity, inclusivity, and cultural competency in all aspects of practice.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Position Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or school counseling (master’s degree preferred).
- Ohio Department of Education Pupil Services License required.
- Experience working with middle-school students (grades 5 - 8).
- Knowledge of child development and how to support social-emotional growth.
- Understanding of learning differences and how to support neurodiverse learners.
- Demonstrated cultural competency in all aspects of practice.
- Communication with parents through forward-thinking use of technology complemented by proactive communication in other formats.
- Actively engage in ongoing professional learning.
Benefits
Daily work driven by an inspiring mission: To help students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow's world
- Warm and welcome culture
- Opportunities to participate in school life
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid parental leave
- 403b retirement and contribution match after one year of employment
- Paid time off, sick days, and bereavement time
- Wellington tuition remission (50%)
- Free fresh daily lunch during the school year with accommodations for dietary restrictions and preferences
- Free parking
Send your materials as soon as possible to Jamie Fencl, middle school administrative assistant, fencl@wellington.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis starting June 20. All candidates should include:
- Letter of interest
- Resume
- Completed application
We believe every person plays a role in making Wellington a diverse, equitable, and inclusive place to learn, teach, and work. We seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty and staff who thrive on being engaged participants in our vibrant, innovative educational community. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of our admission policies, financial aid, or employment.