Holla School Counselor

ABOUT: HOLLA School is a public, tuition-free K-4 charter school sponsored by the Reynolds School District. Our foundational belief is ALL children are abundant, brilliant and creative. The HOLLA School mission is To change the academic narratives of Black, Brown and Indigenous youth by honoring lived experiences, catalyzing genius and centering joy.
COMPENSATION: The salary for this role is $58,000-75,000 depending on placement on salary schedule. This is a full time, exempt position. Salary is in addition to medical, vision, and dental insurance, and PERS retirement benefits (eligible immediately for current PERS participants, eligible 6 months after employment begins for new PERS participants). HOLLA School pays the whole insurance premiums and pays into PERS.
GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION: The goal of the HOLLA School Counselor is to relationally connect and build meaningful relationships with students, staff and families, and to provide holistic support in the form of various therapeutic interventions and resource connection. It is imperative for this role to embody HOLLA School values and mission to change the academic narrative for Black, Brown and Indigenous youth. To this end, the Counselor will focus on utilizing culturally specific, relational, trauma-informed and restorative practices. Building rapport and trust with students and families is central to the success of the Counselor.
This role must be experienced and comfortable with working with students with varying needs and behaviors, and be able to provide support to youth that centers on their assets and inherent value. A deep understanding of trauma, ASD, neurodivergence is necessary. A collaborative approach that includes families, students, school staff, and SPED staff is imperative.
The School Counselor works proactively to support and coach scholars into positive interactions. They also work to coach staff and provide professional development to the HOLLA School staff as needed along with HOLLA School leadership. In all interactions, a restorative justice model will be centered. The Counselor works in partnership with the school administration and staff to create, manage, and integrate ongoing interventions and support for students. This position includes some summer hours to engage with summer programming, summer contact with families, and pre-school year professional development.
The School Counselor's day will consist of providing 1:1 and small group student support during the school day; this includes time in classrooms, supporting staff, and being present for students . Unstructured times such as lunch/recess provide the Counselor time to be present and connect with students in organic ways. After school hours, the School Counselor will connect with families to address a variety of needs including resources, problem solving attendance barriers, etc.
HOLLA School is grounded in the unwavering belief that all children are abundant, brilliant, and creative, and this belief should flow through the Counselor's interactions in a strengths-based approach that sees students as whole people, not empty vessels. The Counselor should embody HOLLA School's philosophy, and engage this framework in 1:1 and small group settings with students and staff.
Education:

Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology, or equivalent or higher
Current required licenses and supervision

Responsibilities and Experience:

Experience working in an educational setting
Experience working in diverse settings with diverse people
Experience in collaborating with a team in supporting students
Experience with youth experiencing neurodivergence/ASD
Work with students individually and in small groups who experience big feelings/exhibit behavior that is disruptive and/or have communication and sensory needs
Push into classrooms and lead SEL practice
Understanding of Restorative Practices and uses them proactively and in response to student conflict
Communicate with the families that they work with including setting up meetings between families that want to meet regarding student conflicts
Identify and connect families with community resources like culturally responsive counseling, the Dougy Center for those experiencing loss, etc.
Research and seek out creative solutions for supporting students and connecting families with community resources

Other:

Use lived experience to inform approach to role and HOLLA School setting

Creative
Adaptable
Flexible
Curious
Comfortable taking the initiative and providing leadership from a school counselor perspective
Receive direction and feedback with an open mindset
Physical requirement of ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time, and lift up to 50 lbs
All HOLLA School Staff are required to submit to a background check as part of the pre-employment process as well as on an ongoing basis