Guidance Counselor

Gesher Jewish Day School is hiring for the 2026-2027 school year and seeking a guidance counselor to join our team!

We are a warm, PK-8 Jewish community school dedicated to nurturing a growth mindset and cultivating joy. A caring classroom environment, high standards, and hands-on learning experiences are hallmarks of Gesher JDS. We are located on a large wooded campus with a garden, hiking trails, a vernal pond, and a meadow.

The Counseling Program at Gesher Jewish Day School is closely connected to the schools educational philosophy and is based on a responsive classroom model. We strive to foster a warm, supportive, and nurturing social-emotional environment in which each students character, resilience, and sense of self can grow, flourish, and thrive.

Guidance Counselor

Salary Range: $65,000-$72,000. Salary range is commensurate with education, licensure, and level of experience. Full-time 10-month position with limited summer preparation work

• Provide social-emotional support to students in one-on-one and small group settings
• Meet individually with students for clinical assessment and provide short-term support
• Conduct classroom observations to support assessment and intervention planning
• Foster positive peer relationships and healthy social interactions among students
• Welcome and support new students and families as they integrate into the school community
• Work closely with the Head of School and Principal in situations involving abuse, self-harm, suicide concerns, or other student safety matters
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards

• Develop, lead, and implement social-emotional, health, and wellness curriculum
• Deliver age-appropriate classroom lessons focused on social-emotional learning and wellness
• Promote resilience, emotional regulation, and positive decision-making skills
• Support teachers, parents, and caregivers in fostering students social-emotional growth

• Serve as an active member of the schools Student Support Team, partnering with administrators, learning specialists, teachers, related service providers, families, and outside professionals to support student success
• Participate in regular Student Support Team meetings to review student needs, monitor interventions, develop action plans, and coordinate support strategies
• Serve as a case manager for students requiring coordinated academic, social-emotional, or behavioral support, including ongoing communication with families, faculty, administration, and outside providers
• Develop student Learning Profiles for students in need using evaluations, teacher feedback, observations, and related student support documentation to inform support strategies
• Meet regularly with learning specialists and faculty to review student progress and determine appropriate interventions and supports
• Provide referrals and assist families in accessing therapeutic and community-based services
• Partner with teachers and administrators to develop strategies that support students both academically and socially
• Help ensure continuity of support services and clear communication among all stakeholders involved in a students care and progress

• Provide training and guidance to faculty and staff on supporting students social-emotional needs
• Participate in student support meetings and multidisciplinary collaboration
• Help strengthen a positive, caring, and responsive school culture

Required

• Master's degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Experience working with children and adolescents in a school or youth-serving setting.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families.
• Strong communication, organizational, and student support skills.

• Virginia Pupil Personnel Services License with School Counselor PreK-12 Endorsement.
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or eligibility for licensure.
• Experience in an independent school setting.
• Experience supporting social-emotional learning, student wellness, and behavioral interventions.
• Experience working with elementary and middle school students.