School Counselor - Temporary Leave Coverage (Spring 2027)

About the Park School

The Park School is a Pre-K to Grade 8 independent school in Brookline, MA dedicated to excellence in education. The cornerstone of Park's program is academic excellence, combining both high standards of scholarship and the encouragement of each child to develop to their greatest potential. Our school community fosters a nurturing environment in which children develop curiosity, express creativity, appreciate the value of hard work and discipline, and experience the joy of learning. Park's faculty encourages each student to strive for intellectual, physical, and moral growth and to become contributing members of the community.

The Temporary School Counselor is a member of the school’s Upper and Lower Divisions and reports to the Assistant Head of School for Curriculum & Instruction. This role covers a leave of absence from mid-February through June and is responsible for working with faculty and staff to support students and the school’s mission and curricular goals.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide short-term individual and small-group counseling and responsive support to students.
• Assess student needs and facilitate referrals to outside providers or longer-term supports when appropriate.
• Collaborate with families, teachers, administrators, learning specialists, and other members of the Student Support Team to support student success.
• Consult with faculty regarding student social-emotional needs, classroom dynamics, and strategies for supporting individual students.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and communicate relevant information while respecting student privacy and confidentiality.
• Utilize available student data, observations, and consultation to identify emerging needs and inform interventions and programming.
• Provide support and consultation in response to emerging student concerns and school-based crises.
• Meet expectations as defined by The Park School Employee Essential Expectations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a closely related field required.
• Appropriate Massachusetts professional licensure or certification, or eligibility for relevant licensure/certification, preferred.
• At least two years of experience working with elementary and/or middle school-aged students.
• Strong understanding of child and adolescent development and developmentally appropriate counseling practices.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with students and collaborate effectively with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication, consultation, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to assess student needs and determine when additional or outside support is appropriate.
• Sound professional judgment and a strong understanding of confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical practice in school settings.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive school community and supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds and identities.
• Flexibility, warmth, patience, and the ability to remain composed and responsive in a dynamic school environment.

Physical Requirements

• The ability to sit and stand uninterrupted for 30 minute periods of time.
• The ability to traverse on and across variable surfaces (e.g. level flooring, stairs, turf, gravel, asphalt, etc.).
• The ability to lead, supervise and accompany students to all areas of the school campus (including all indoor and outdoor areas), including during day-to-day responsibilities and in case of emergency.
• The ability to position oneself (e.g., stand, sit, crouch, and kneel down) in order to support students.
• The ability to work outdoors, year-round, in variable weather conditions.
• The ability to lift and hold 15 lbs overhead.
• The ability to occasionally transport (e.g., move or drag) 25 lbs
• The ability to maintain focus and composure in an energetic and, at times, loud environment

Application Information

• Please visit Park’s career page (or https://parkschool.applytojob.com/apply) to complete an application and upload your resume, cover letter, leadership/philosophy statement, and the names of three to five references, including two present or past supervisors.
• The compensation range for this role is based on a faculty scale of 65,420 to 139,580 annually. Actual salaries will vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to degrees received, years of lead teaching experience, and other considerations permitted by law. The comprehensive compensation details, inclusive of any additional benefits, will be communicated upon finalization of the employment offer.
• Park is an equal-opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, natural or protective hairstyles or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its employment, education, admission, financial aid, and other policies and programs.
• We welcome candidates who will add to the diversity of our community and who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their teaching and learning.
• Job applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States. The Park School will not sponsor an employment visa or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time for this role