Description of Work
NCSSM is ranked as the #2 Best Public High School in the U.S.
CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled - priority consideration to applications received prior to Monday, September 16, 2024 5 p.m.
POSITION TYPE : Permanent, 11 Months, EHRA Faculty, FLSA Exempt, 1.0 FTE
HIRING SALARY RANGE : Commensurate with education and experience
NCSSM and the Student Life division foster an environment of collaboration across departments and divisions and support community-engaged service and research. NCSSM is proud of the diversity of its student body and we seek to attract an equally diverse application pool for this position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran or national guard. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at
Description of Duties :
The position reports to the Morganton Director of Counseling and Wellness and is responsible for providing counseling services.
Provide personal counseling to students utilizing a variety of best-practice, evidence-based theories, techniques, skills, and strategies;
Provide crisis intervention to students with acute needs and chronic mental health needs;
Assess students in crisis for possible harm to self or others, providing necessary follow-up with family/guardian and NCSSM community; as well as collaborate and refer to mental health providers;
Sharing after-hours, on-call responses with Protocall services and other counseling team members for students experiencing significant mental health-related needs and concerns;
Develop individualized support plans to meet the emotional, personal, and academic needs of students and assist in the implementation of those plans;
Develop safety plans with students;
Support families in identifying and accessing mental health providers;
Collaborate with mental health providers to address student needs;
Facilitate parent/guardian-student meetings;
Facilitate group counseling sessions with students;
Collaborate and facilitate communication with students, parents, teachers, faculty, staff, medical personnel, administrators, and mental health professionals to ensure that students' emotional, residential, academic, and other needs are supported;
Develop and provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff in support of student wellness;
Provide academic counseling;
Participate in residential school programs including social events and activities;
This position is required to work on-site.
Knowledge of:
Knowledge and understanding of individual and group counseling theories, skills, techniques, and strategies that promote and benefit mental health and well-being as well as personal and social growth;
Individual and group counseling skills, techniques, and strategies that address and support personal and academic success;
College application process;
Human development and growth mindset;
American School Counselor Association, National Association of Social Workers, or other Professional Association, Ethical Standards for Professional Counselors;
Legal, ethical, and professional issues related to minors, students, and school settings;
Mandatory reporting laws.
Skilled in:
Providing personal counseling to students utilizing a variety of best-practice, evidence-based theories, techniques, skills, and strategies;
Providing crisis intervention to students with acute needs and chronic mental health needs;
Assessing students in crisis for possible harm to self or others, providing necessary follow-up with family/guardian and NCSSM community; as well as collaborating and referring to support student;
On-call response to students experiencing significant mental health-related concerns;
Develop individualized support plans to meet the emotional, personal, and academic needs of students and assist in the implementation of those plans;
Develop safety plans;
Supporting families in identifying and accessing mental health providers;
Collaborating with mental health providers to address student needs;
Facilitating parent/guardian-student meetings;
Facilitating group counseling sessions with students;
Collaborating and facilitating communication with students, parents, teachers, faculty, staff, medical personnel, administrators, mental health professionals, and college representatives to ensure that students' emotional, residential, academic, and college needs are supported;
Effective communication and interpersonal skills;
Developing and providing professional development opportunities for faculty and staff in support of student wellness;
Providing academic counseling.
Ability to:
Function as an integral member of a professional and diverse team;
Present to students, parents, and the NCSSM Community;
Write counselor letters of recommendation for students;
Support students by actively participating in and attending student events and activities;
Utilize technology and other resources to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of practices and procedures;
Utilize technology effectively and assist in the planning, organization, and implementation of the NCSSM school counseling program and support student needs;
Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, initiative, resourcefulness, and personal accountability;
Interact positively with diverse constituents including students, faculty, staff, and the public while upholding the intent and integrity of NCSSM policies and procedures;
Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with internal and external constituents and build relationships to deliver a high level of service;
Assess and report abuse and neglect cases to the Department of Health and Human Services and/or law enforcement when required;
Inform, instruct, and educate students, parents, and staff about NCSSM policies and procedures regarding students with disabilities, including identification, eligibility, accommodations, counseling services, referrals, and appeals;
Cross-train in Academic Accessibility Services and Individualized Accommodation Plan (IAP) and Individual Support Plan (ISP) process, including eligibility determination, plan development, implementation, and progress monitoring of IAP and ISP students and plans;
Assist students with accommodation requests for the SAT and ACT;
Create, coordinate, and implement wellness programming and initiatives;
Take initiative;
Meet deadlines;
Be flexible to meet the needs of the student.
Education and Experience Required:
Master's degree in Clinical Counseling, Counselor Education, Social Work, or a related human services field.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Licensed clinical mental health professional or working toward licensure, i.e. LCMHC, LCSW, or other equivalent NC clinical licensure.
Minimum of two years of experience working with students in an educational setting at the secondary or college level.
Team NCSSM Benefits
Free On-campus Parking
Vacation: EHRA Faculty earn from 14 days to 26 days per year based on years of state service. Leave accruals for part-time and less than 12-month employees are pro-rated. Leave is earned monthly.
Sick Leave: 12 days per year. Leave accruals for part-time and less than 12-month employees are pro-rated.
Additional Leave: Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Civil Leave, Personal Observance Day, Extended Illness, Short/Long Term Disability, Family Illness Leave, Military Leave, Community Service Leave, Voluntary Shared Leave and Leave Without Pay.
Holidays: 12 days per year
Benefits: The University Systemoffers eligible employees a flexible and comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to University-provided group life insurance, various retirement savings options, group health plan coverage, dental, vision, critical illness, cancer, flexible spending accounts, accident, disability coverage, educational assistance, and more. These programs can help employees achieve retirement savings and career goals, as well as assist with meeting everyday health and educational needs. The benefits programs are designed for employees to tailor a benefits package that best meets their needs.
Health Insurance: Employee-only coverage under the State Health Plan (PPO) is provided to employees who work 30 or more hours a week. The cost is determined by the type of coverage elected by the employee. Dependent coverage is available by payroll deduction.
Retirement: Required participation for all employees working 3/4 time or more. Option (1) Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees are vested for retirement after 5 years. Option (2) The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees in ORP are vested after 5 years of participating in ORP. As a participant in either retirement program, you are automatically covered for short-term disability (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost), long long-term disability (eligible after 5 years of service/no cost). Death benefit of minimum $25,000/maximum $50,000 based on previous 12-month salary (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost).
Supplemental Retirement Plans: Supplemental retirement plans provide an additional opportunity to help you reach your retirement goals. Supplemental Plan offerings such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) on a Roth (after-tax) or pre-tax contributions.
Tuition Waiver: Three courses per academic year tuition-free (at any of UNC's 17 campuses that offer courses) for permanent full-time employees.
State Employees Credit Union: Membership welcomed. Contact theSECU Credit Unionfor information.
Community Service: 24 hours leave credited each calendar year (prorated for part-time) unless you choose the Mentoring/ tutoring option - 1 hour each week up to a max of 36 hours that schools are in session as documented by the elected board of the local education agency or the governing authority of any non-public school.
Facilities: Library & Gymnasium - other athletic facilities available at no cost to employees. Cafeteria on site.
About NCSSM :
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is a world-class public high school with statewide reach empowering academically talented students from diverse backgrounds from every corner of the state to design their own future. We offer residential high school programs in Durham and Morganton for juniors and seniors or virtual high school courses and programs that students can take alongside their local curriculum, all tuition-free. Our wide array of summer offerings for rising 5th- through 12th-graders includes free opportunities for in-state students alongside paid options for students from anywhere in the world. NCSSM Extended Learning partners with communities and regions to advance student learning and outcomes.
Specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math, and embracing the fine arts and humanities, NCSSM has become the model for 18 such specialized schools around the globe since its founding in 1980 and is a full constituent of the University of North Carolina System. NCSSM's Ignite + Transform comprehensive campaign seeks to raise $50 million in private support for our mission.
The new NCSSM-Morganton campus opened in 2022 for summer programs and its first fall academic term. NCSSM-Morganton focuses on the booming fields of data science and artificial intelligence, preparing the leaders of tomorrow to navigate a future driven by data and machine learning, with emphasis on the humanistic implications and ethical use of these tools.
Nearly two-thirds of NCSSM graduates earn a bachelor's degree in a STEM field -- over three times the national average, including 58 percent of our underrepresented minority graduates, which is nearly four times the national average. Nearly three-quarters have earned or are seeking a graduate degree. A 2020 economic impact study found that 54 percent of our alumni continue to live and work in North Carolina, catalyzing nearly $1.3 billion in annual economic activity. NCSSM values the diversity in our student body, and all members of the NCSSM community are expected to foster a safe environment of respect and inclusion for all faculty, staff, and students.
For more information, please read the NCSSM strategic plan and visit ncssm.edu.
How to Apply :
Submit electronic application via this link: Wellness Counselor, Morganton Campus.
Please complete your application in full. All required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form in its entirety. "See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume" will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If applicants are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least six years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22 along with their state application.
Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require a motor vehicle check. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at or equivalent service. NCSSM participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
Please refrain from submitting multiple applications. However, if multiple applications are submitted to a posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be accepted. There is a 24 hour waiting period before an applicant can re-apply to a position.
If you have questions, please contact Tracy Fullgraf at
NCSSM is an EEO/eVerify/VEVRAA Employer