Director of Counseling and Culture

Welcome to Conservatory Lab Charter School- a community that stands out in Massachusetts:

• The ONLY charter school designated a “School of Recognition” by DESE based on SY22/23 growth metrics across all subgroups.
• A finalist for the Pozen Prize in 2019, awarded for strong student growth.
• An “El Sistema-inspired” program, where students have music class every day and learn a wide variety of instruments.
• An EL Education school where project-based learning, social-emotional development, and rigorous academics are woven together for powerful outcomes.
• A place where students implicitly learn to uplift each other, persevere, and cooperate through their experiences in music as well as academic classes.

Come join our community and be part of a unique, dynamic team committed to holistic excellence in urban education!

Conservatory Lab Charter School empowers a diverse range of children as scholars, artists, and leaders through a unique and rigorous academic and music education. We enrich the larger community through performance, service, and collaboration. As a laboratory school, we develop and disseminate innovative educational approaches that will positively impact children in other schools and programs.

Job Summary:

The Director will lead and oversee all school culture initiatives, including counseling services, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), social-emotional learning (SEL), and behavior protocols. This role is critical in fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment that promotes the well-being and academic success of all students. The ideal candidate will bring clinical expertise, experience coordinating mental health services, knowledge of local mental health resources, and school-based experience, preferably in an administrative role overseeing these services.

Key Responsibilities

Counseling Services

• Oversee and coordinate school-based counseling services to meet the mental health needs of all students.
• Supervise school counselors, social workers, and other mental health staff, providing guidance and professional development.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local mental health providers and community resources.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling interventions and implement adjustments based on student needs.

School Culture and PBIS

• Lead the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of PBIS to promote a positive school culture.
• Develop and enforce school-wide behavior protocols aligned with school policies.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to embed behavioral strategies within the classroom.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of SEL curricula across all grade levels.
• Regularly monitor the effectiveness of the SEL curriculum and revise it as necessary to respond to the evolving needs of students.
• Facilitate professional development for staff to ensure effective delivery of SEL strategies and practices.
• Work collaboratively with school leadership and staff to integrate SEL into academic content and daily school practices.

Behavior Protocols and Interventions

• Collaborate with the teachers, and support staff to create and monitor individual behavior support plans.
• Ensure all behavior protocols comply with state and district guidelines.
• Collaborate with the behavior specialist to design and implement effective, tiered behavior management systems (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3).

Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise and support a multidisciplinary team, including but not limited to counselors, culture, and support staff
• Serve as a key member of the school leadership team, contributing to the strategic direction of school culture initiatives.
• Lead staff training on mental health, SEL, PBIS, and behavior management.

Data and Program Management

• Collect and analyze data on student behavior, mental health trends, and school culture to inform decisions.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, laws, and best practices in mental health and student support.
• Prepare and present reports to school leadership, the board, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• State licensure or certification in a relevant clinical area (e.g., LMHC, LCSW, LICSW, or equivalent).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in school-based or clinical mental health settings.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and leading teams.
• Knowledge of PBIS, SEL, and behavior intervention frameworks.
• Familiarity with local mental health resources and referral networks.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience as a school administrator overseeing counseling services, SEL programs, PBIS, and behavior management systems.
• Expertise in curriculum development and the integration of SEL into academic content.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, restorative justice principles, and culturally responsive practices.
• Background in working with diverse, culturally and linguistically diverse student populations.

Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package included.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The school is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Bilingual