The School Counselor (along with the Career/College Counselor, Academic Learning Center Director) form the Guidance Department at Hargrave Military Academy.  The Department supports the Academy’s mission by helping cadets navigate a personal, challenging, and ultimately successful course of instruction to prepare them for continued successful post-secondary education and life experiences. 

The School Counselor is responsible for conducting training and in-service programs for faculty, staff, and students pertaining to recognizing and responding to students in crisis and/or those who have been impacted by traumatic stress. In addition, students are provided with clear expectations and communication strategies to guide them through stressful situations. Training will include at a minimum response to suicide ideation, homesickness, self-abusive behavior, anger issues, bullying and hazing. The goal is to not only provide tools to cope with extreme situations but to create an underlying culture of respect and support. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides academic planning/scheduling for students in grades six through twelve in conjunction with the Academic Dean and CIS Director
• Coordinates student academic plans with student’s parents
• Guide and counsel individual students, small groups, and faculty through the development of educational and career plans.
• Help coordinate the Academic Advisory (faculty and staff advise groups of 5-10 students) program.

• Communicate concerns and be aware of actions affecting cadets under his/her care with the Head of Infirmary, Academic Dean, CIS Director, Military Department, Infirmary, Chaplain, College Counselor, and ALC Director.
• Supervises counseling resources of the HMA Counseling and referral program.  Refer students with severe problems to appropriate mental health resources (i.e., Community Mental Health counselors) in consultation with their parents.

• Counsel small groups of faculty, staff, and students as well as individual students with problems (nontherapeutic) that arise in the academic and boarding school environment.
• Manages the academic intervention process
• Serves as a member of the Academic Committee (review Academic Procedures and Policy and hear exception requests)
• Consult with other professional staff and outside agencies and other organizations at the direction of the Academic Dean
• Other duties as required or requested of HMA faculty and staff (chaperone, club sponsor, etc.)

The School Counselor may also work with other members of the Academic Office in these critical school needs:

• Act as an Alternate Testing Proctor for the SAT/ACT. 
• Assist College Counselor and PG Coach with initial NCAA eligibility. 
• EID - Education Impacting Disability Coordinator to NCAA. 

• Review applicants as part of the Admissions Committee on an as-needed basis for advice on IEP’s and 504’s. 

• Review Self-Harm / Suicide Policy and maintain training records with Head Nurse. 

Qualifications:

• Must be endorsed or eligible for a Virginia License as a School Counselor.
• Demonstrated success in mediation & relationship building.
• Knowledge and experience with culturally responsive counseling and Trauma Based/Informed School practices
• Commitment to compliance with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) ethical and professional standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience at an Independent Boarding School
• QMHP - Virginia Board of Counseling or equivalent

About Hargrave Military Academy

Hargrave Military Academy is a boy's college preparatory boarding school locacted in south-central Virginia. HMA enrolls boys in grades seven through post graduate.

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