Counseling Responsibilities:

‍
● Provide mandated counseling services pursuant to students’ IEPs
● Provide clinical support and supervision to MESA counseling staff as needed
● Provide “at-risk” counseling for students referred by staff or self-referred, for those students
whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical impairment indicates a need for
assistance
● Conduct student observations and/or Functional Behavior Analyses for students who have
persistent behavioral issues
● Develop behavior and academic plans for those students who require such plans
● Coordinate external services for those who require
● Develop and review service plans in consultation with students, their families, and school staff,
and perform follow-up assessing the quantity and quality of service provided
● Support school staff in addressing issues such as suspected child abuse and neglect. Training
school staff in their role as mandated reporters; act as school liaison with Administration for
Children’s Services
● Maintain case history records and prepare reports
● Train staff on compliance with the Dignity for All Students Act
● Address emergency situations impacting students, such as leading group counseling sessions
that provide support in areas such as grief, stress, or chemical dependency
● Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and
indicate remedial measures
● Interview students individually, in families, or in groups and assessing their circumstances, capabilities and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs
● Other duties, as assigned by the Principal

‍
Department Leader Responsibilities:

‍
● Develop and implement professional development for all staff to support students in their
social-emotional development
● Provide supervision and mentoring to other Counseling Staff and serve as main liaison with
school administration
● Lead full staff training and Professional Development at direction of Principal
● Work closely with Parent and Family Coordinator to organize and run Family-School
Association (FSA).
● Lead hiring of additional Counseling Staff
● Design and implement proactive anti-truancy program for at-risk students
● Conduct home visits for students whose social-emotional circumstances create risk of their
dropping out

‍

(1) Masters degree or higher in School Counseling or Social Work, as appropriate;
(2) Appropriate New York State Certification; (3); Minimum four years experience working as a
school counselor in an urban public or charter school; (4) Demonstrated ability to work
productively with staff and with diverse populations of students, parents, and families, including
students with disabilities or students with limited English proficiency; (5) Experience supervising
adults and leading a team of adults in service of students and families (6) Demonstrated
understanding of issues facing children and youth, especially in urban environments; (7) Belief in
and alignment with MESA’s core values, educational philosophy and commitment to diversity,
equity and inclusion; (8) Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic and Russian speakers are a strong
plus.

MESA is committed to attracting, hiring and retaining a diverse and inclusive staff. It is MESA’s
policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on
race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil
partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran
status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please email your resume and cover letter to Arthur Samuels, Co-Executive Director, at
hiring@mesacharter.org with the subject heading “Founding Counseling Department Lead” Cover
letter should specifically indicate why you want to work at MESA. APPLY BY EMAIL ONLY. Due to the
nature of the position and the volume of applications received, MESA will not be able to reply to all
submissions. MESA will contact candidates with next steps.