School-Based Counselor
About the role
Think of the School-based Counselor as a teammate who's always supporting the students we serve, helping to create a warm, inclusive, and empowering space for every student to grow. With a strength-based mindset, our School-based Counselors create personalized ways to support each student while celebrating everything that makes them unique. As a School-based Counselor, you won't be working alone; you will have the opportunity to partner with families, educators, and other mental health professionals to build a strong circle of support. The team will help students feel seen, heard, and ready to chase their goals both in school and beyond.
About Pathfinder Seneca
Pathfinder Seneca’s Pathfinder Academy is a Nonpublic School in Union City, California, serving students in grades 6–12. We partner with school districts across the Bay Area to support students with significant mental health and behavioral needs. Pathfinder provides a high-quality education through a culturally responsive lens, integrating therapeutic and special education services to meet students where they are. We believe in creating a safe, supportive environment where students are empowered to heal, grow, and thrive. Our mission is to inspire a love of learning while building the skills, relationships, and resilience students need to succeed in school and beyond. With strong academic standards and an emphasis on compassion, community, and self-investment, students are encouraged to take ownership of their growth.
Responsibilities
- Work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team with teachers, therapists, and other specialists/educational staff
- Foster strong therapeutic relationships with students that support engagement at school and in progress towards individualized goals
- Aid in the implementation of classroom modifications and accommodations as identified by students’ individualized education plans (IEP) or other plans
- Provide direct behavioral intervention that decreases engagement in behaviors that have impeded school success and increases engagement in replacement behaviors
- Provide effective supervision of students at all times to maintain safety
- Utilize crisis communication and de-escalation techniques, this may include intervening with the clients' behavioral program through physical management
- Contribute to a strong school culture by participating in or leading activities that celebrate success and promote joy
- Complete required data collection and service documentation to measure the effectiveness of services, inform team decision making, and/or engage in service billing
- Transport clients to and from school as needed
Qualifications
- Education/Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree OR Associate degree or equivalent + 1 year of applicable experience OR High School Diploma/GED + 2 years of applicable experience
- Applicable experience can include paid or unpaid experience working with youth or families, working in a classroom setting, working in a mental health setting, providing academic support to youth, or providing crisis support to youth
- At least 21 years of age
- TB test clearance, fingerprinting clearance, and any other state/federal licensing or certification requirements
- Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and insurability through Seneca Family of Agencies’ insurance policy
Benefits
- Starting at $27.01 -$29.51 per hour, commensurate with experience
- Additional compensation provided upon passing bilingual language proficiency exam
- Salary increases each year
- 5 weeks of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, and 14 paid school break days
- Comprehensive benefits package: Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, fertility coverage, long-term disability, family leave, and life insurance
- 50% paid premiums for dependents
- 403b Retirement Plan
- Employer-paid Employee Assistance Plan