Counseling Department Chair (SY24-25, Internal Applicants Only)

Purpose

The Counseling Department Chair is a counselor leader reporting to and collaborating closely with school leadership. They are responsible for creating a culture of high academic expectations and ensuring counselor support and development around mental health services. The Counseling Department Chair receives a stipend for additional work outside of their teaching role and hours.

What You’ll Do

• Set a vision and direction for the counseling team.
• Plan and lead weekly department meetings that support counselors with data analysis, case management, and build mental health service knowledge within the department.
• Meeting 1:1 with counselors to provide support and feedback.
• Plan and lead professional development for the counseling team.
• Serve as liaison between counselors and school leadership.
• Serve as the school's McKinney-Vento Liaison and work closely with our district McKinney-Vento Liaison (state reporting agent)
• Promote a positive school culture and growth mindset amongst staff.
• Model professionalism and best counseling practices.
• Encourage team collaboration around anti-racism and equity work at Veritas using key tools such as the Veritas Anti-racism Standards and the Teaching for Equity Framework from Leading Educators

• Model how to effectively partner with General Education, Special Education and ESL Teachers to support student needs.
• Develop skills around facilitating difficult conversations.
• Be available to support counselors who need extra guidance.

Requirements

What You'll Need (Key Qualifications)

• Ability to collaborate across teams (culture, operations, etc.)
• Ability to utilize data to make decisions
• Ability to positively influence and support peers
• Commitment to creating clear, simple systems for organization
• Solutions-oriented mindset when navigating challenges
• Excitement to grow one’s leadership skills with a community of other leaders
• Willingness to learn from and alongside other department chairs
• Ability to take feedback in order to improve one’s meeting facilitation skills
• Ability to see themselves as a change agent who can influence the practices of peers
• Commitment to anti-racism and ability to utilize the Veritas Anti-Racism Standards to promote change

Time Commitment (In School and Out of School)

• 1 to 2 days of training over the summer
• Quarterly after-school professional development
• Weekly tasks and preparation related to the role, as described above

Benefits

What You’ll Get

• $3,000 stipend
• Training and coaching from school leadership
• Regular feedback from peers around facilitation
• Access to additional professional development from outside providers