High School Guidance Counselor

School Year 2026-2027; Southwest, Brooklyn

Full-Time / On-Site

MESA South Brooklyn proudly launched in SY 2025–26 in District 20 , serving the diverse communities of Borough Park, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Sunset Park, and Dyker Heights. As the first public 9–12 charter school built in the area in over 80 years, MESA South Brooklyn opened with a strong foundation of school culture, academic vision, and community trust . We welcomed our founding class of 125 ninth-grade students and are “growing up” with them, adding one grade each year while deepening the systems, traditions, and instructional excellence established in our first year. As weenter our second year, we are seeking a High School Guidance Counselor to join our team and help carry forward the momentum of a successful launch.

Specific Responsibilities:

Counseling Responsibilities

• Provide mandated counseling services pursuant to students’ IEPs
• Provide “at-risk” counseling for students referred by staff or self-referred, for those students whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical impairment indicates a need for assistance
• Conduct student observations and/or Functional Behavior Analyses for students who have persistent behavioral issues
• Develop behavior and academic plans for those students who require such plans
• Coordinate external services for those who require
• Develop and review service plans in consultation with students, their families, and school staff, and perform follow-up assessing the quantity and quality of service provided
• Support school staff in addressing issues such as suspected child abuse and neglect. Training school staff in their role as mandated reporters; act as school liaison with Administration for Children’s Services
• Maintain case history records and prepare reports
• Train staff on compliance with the Dignity for All Students Act
• Address emergency situations impacting students , such as leading group counseling sessions that provide support in areas such as grief , stress , or chemical dependency
• Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures
• Interview students individually, in families, or in groups and assessing their circumstances, capabilities and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs
• Other duties, as assigned by the Principal

Qualifications:

(1) Masters degree or higher in School Counseling or Social Work, as appropriate; (2) Appropriate New York State Certification; (3); Minimum four years experience working as a school counselor in an urban public or charter school; (4) Demonstrated ability to work productively with staff and with diverse populations of students, parents, and families, including students with disabilities or students with limited English proficiency; (5) Demonstrated understanding of issues facing children and youth, especially in urban environments; (6) Belief in and alignment with MESA’s core values, educational philosophy and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; (7) Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic speakers a plus.

Salary

$60,000 - $100,000, based on experience

Our Commitment:

MESA is committed to attracting, hiring and retaining a diverse and inclusive staff. It is MESA’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

How to :

Please email your resume and cover letter to Arthur Samuels, Co-Executive Director, at [email protected] with the subject heading “26-27 High School Guidance Counselor (South Brooklyn)” Cover letter should specifically indicate why you want to work at MESA . BY EMAIL ONLY. Due to the nature of the position and the volume of applications received, MESA will not be able to reply to all submissions. MESA will contact candidates with next steps.