Part Time K-8 Counselor 

Kentucky Avenue School, a K-8 independent school in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, announces a search for a part-time K-8 Counselor for the 2026-2027 school year. This will be a 12-15 hour per week position. We seek to hire a creative, innovative and experienced mental health specialist with a commitment to the care of the social and emotional needs of children. KAS values the integration of social and emotional learning with academics, and is dedicated to providing a highly-differentiated curriculum in a warm, inclusive school climate. Additionally, Kentucky Avenue School embraces Maker-Centered & Play-based Learning, and the Responsive Classroom approach.

The Counselor will develop and assist school staff in implementing inclusive and targeted academic, mental health and behavioral  interventions and policies through consultation, training, and coaching and integrate social emotional instruction within the school setting. 

Responsibilities 

  • Collaborate with classroom teachers to address specific social and emotional needs of students. Collaborate with classroom faculty and staff to create and maintain personalized mental health plans for students, including students with cognitive and developmental disabilities or also students who have differences in learning styles. 
  • Establish and maintain ongoing communication with families to foster partnerships and promote family engagement; connect students and families with information about appropriate community resources and outside agencies timely.  
  • Lead in the development of systems that strengthen the KAS Learning Lab
  • Provide appropriate intervention services in crisis situations, understand and lead mandatory reporting and appropriate follow up, and suicide prevention and suicide risk assessment and follow-up 
  • Demonstrated ability to make referrals for care outside of the school when needed
  • Work with students one-on-one, in small groups, or in students’ classroom settings to support mental health
  • Create and teach courses or experiences for specific groups of students as needed
  • Communicate effectively and often with parents, teachers, Intermediate Unit teachers and psychologists, outside agencies, and other faculty and staff as needed
  • Assess students support needs as needed and provide specific instructional recommendations for interventions to classroom teachers, parents and principal
  • Adapt materials for instructional purposes and measure student progress
  • Collaborate with classroom teachers and Head of School to devise behavior management strategies for students when needed
  • Conduct student observations and gather data 
  • Perform other related duties as directed by Head of School

Requirements

  • Degree in Social Work,  School Counseling, Counseling Psychology or a related field.
  • Experience working with children who are neurodiverse  or have emotional/social/behavioral needs.  
  • 3+ years of experience with school aged youth is preferred.
  • Specialized knowledge, training or experience working with interventions and instructional strategies designed to accelerate student growth and address social emotional wellness is preferred. 
  • Experience in the training and coaching of staff is preferred.
  • An educational philosophy that aligns with that of our school.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills over multiple platforms.
  • PA Act 151, Act 34  and FBI Criminal History Record Clearances.

Preferred Qualities 

  • Experience and leadership in Social Emotional Learning, Mental and Behavioral Health interventions, and/or Trauma Informed Practices.
  • An enthusiasm for learning and an open-minded, creative outlook
  • Experience with cross-curricular, project based learning
  • Experience with differentiated instruction
  • A love of students and their lives

Salary

  • This is a part-time job, 10-15 hours a week.
  • Salary is $27-$35 per based on experience and commitment.

To Apply

To apply, please send the following documents to Brian Horvath, head of school, at brian.horvath@kentuckyavenueschool.org as a single pdf: 

  • A resume highlighting your experiences and strengths
  • A cover letter
  • Two letters of recommendation

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