Department/Division: Student Services and Admissions

Reports to: Director of Student Services and Admissions

Type of Position: Full-time

Job/Position Summary

The Student Success Counselor assists students through professional activities supporting overall well-being and personal, academic, and career development.  The person in this role should possess a deep commitment to assist academy students in their overall development, the ability to engage students in the learning process through programs and personal contact, and the capacity to work cooperatively with various departments to this end.

Major Responsibilities

• • Provide counseling to students regarding short term social, emotional, and academic/professional concerns
  • Offer individual and group counseling using brief therapy models, assessment, crisis intervention, and referring as appropriate to community based providers
  • Supports academic, professional, and career development for Academy students and alumni
  • Provides individual student planning and responsive services to support students and their families
  • Provide guidance to students through planned activities in small group or classroom settings to convey educational, social and important SEA information
  • Consults, facilitates and maintains communication with teachers, administrators and involved agents on specific learning, social, and wellbeing matters relevant to educators
  • Communicate, coordinates and collaborates with health specialists on developing and implementing student support
  • Participate on committees, collaborate and consult with administrators, faculty and students and external parties as needed
  • Develop, support and implement SEA policies and procedures, and assist students in their understanding
  • Supports and attends appropriate student activities and events

Competencies & Skills

• • Outstanding counseling and coordinating skills
  • Knowledge of professional counseling standards, current best practices, and student development theories
  • Have personal attributes that enable effective interpersonal relationships and to communicate with a wide range of students, faculty, staff, and administrators
  • Possess cross-cultural competency and able to work with students/colleagues from diverse backgrounds and levels of ability toward accomplishing their educational goals
  • Excellent ability to organize tasks and manage time to meet many and varied deadlines
  • Excellent communication skills (written and oral) – preference for English and Arabic fluency
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy when trying to discuss topics that may be sensitive
  • Knowledge of educational software
  • Working familiarity with student assessment tools, especially in evaluating and interpreting standardized and competency based test results
  • Broad knowledge of Academic principles
  • Ability to effectively allocate resources
  • An analytical mind with strong organizational, time management, planning and problem solving skills
  • Able to find innovative ways to resolve problems
  • Positive attitude and strong mindset to effectively handle setbacks and obstacles

Qualifications & Required Experience

• • Masters degree in counseling/psychology, social work, or related field through an accredited program
  • Meet relevant UAE licensing authority (Sharjah Social Services Department) requirements to practice as a counselor
  • Minimum 1 year experience in school or counseling, preferably within an education setting
  • Capable of demonstrating knowledge, skills and abilities and in theories on human development, learning, counseling and/or other appropriate subjects
  • Experience working with diverse populations and recognize the importance of inclusive excellence.
  • Fluency in Arabic and English – preferred
  • Understand and be familiar with computer applications and word processing functions
  • Acknowledge that while most of this positions time is in office during regular weekdays, that some evenings and weekend (activity and outreach) will be necessary
  • Previous teaching experience at the K-12 level – preferred