School Counselor

Summary

Maranatha Christian Academy (MCA) is a private school serving Grades Pre-kindergarten through 12 in Brooklyn Park, MN. We are an influential school of collaborators, innovators, and explorers grounded in Christian faith, empowering co-creators of tomorrow.

MCA has an immediate opening for an upper school counselor. This position is responsible for counseling students and providing group educational and vocational guidance services by performing the following duties.

Essential Duties:

Student Support & Social-Emotional Counseling

• Provide individual counseling to students addressing social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs.


• Facilitate small-group counseling related to the social-emotional needs of students.


• Collaborate with administration on intervention plans.


• Serve as a liaison between families, outside agencies, and the school when additional supports are needed.


• Participate in crisis response and contribute to the ongoing refinement of the School’s Crisis Management Plan.


• Advocate for students during meetings, conferences, and staffing discussions.
  
  


• Participate in administration meetings.
  


• Participate in student interviews as needed.


• Refer and communicate with parents on students' mental health needs.
  

Academic, College & Career Counseling

• Guide students in academic planning, course selection, graduation requirements, and postsecondary readiness.


• Provide developmentally appropriate college and career counseling for grades 7–12.


• Support students and families with: College exploration and application planning; Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) guidance; Career exploration and vocational pathways; and Scholarship and financial aid awareness.


• Assist with transcript review, credit checks, and academic progress monitoring.


• Collaborate with the College & Career team, registrar, and administration to support student success.


• Coordinate or support college and career programming events (parent nights, college visits, classroom guidance, etc.)

Collaboration & School Engagement

• Partner with teachers to identify and support students needing additional academic or emotional support.


• Participate in administration meetings, department meetings, and staff meetings.


• Provide classroom guidance lessons as needed related to social-emotional needs, academic planning, or postsecondary preparation.


• Support the spiritual growth of students by integrating a Christ-centered worldview into counseling practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.


• Strong conflict-resolution skills.


• Skilled in using developmentally appropriate assessment methods.


• Ability to work confidentially and with discretion.

Professional & Personal Characteristics

• Passionate about Christian education and the MCA mission.


• Spirit-led, authentic Christ-follower pursuing continual growth.


• Servant leader mindset with empathy, consistency, and integrity.


• Effective communicator and active listener.


• Positive, hopeful, and resourceful; demonstrates initiative and creativity.

Benefits 

Full-Time Benefits

• Medical Insurance


• Dental Plan


• Housing Allowance


• Life Insurance & Voluntary Life


• Long-Term Disability


• Paid Time Off (PTO)


• Holiday Pay
  

Optional Benefits

• Short-Term Disability


• Accident & Critical Illness Insurance


• Flexible Spending Account


• 403(b) Retirement (No Match)

Supervisory Responsibilities                                            

None

Qualifications

Master's degree (M. A.) or equivalent; two or more years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minnesota school license and experience working in a school setting preferred.