Advancing Educational Justice for Refugee and Immigrant Youth

Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School (GFACS)

is collecting applications for a Mental Health Counselor serving 6th-12th Grade

who possess an unwavering commitment to the Fugees Family, Inc. mission and the willingness to go above & beyond to meet the needs of students, families, and staff.  

Reporting to the School Leader, this is a 10-month, exempt position. Our program begins with middle-school-level; however, our instructional scope begins with Kindergarten-level material. Most Fugees Academy students begin middle school performing well below grade level.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual, group, family, or crisis counseling services.

• Assess clients’ mental health needs, emotional concerns, behavioral patterns, and social circumstances.

• Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans.

• Help clients identify goals and develop practical strategies for managing personal, interpersonal, academic, or occupational difficulties.

• Listen carefully to clients and demonstrate understanding of spoken information, emotions, and concerns.

• Communicate treatment recommendations and clinical information clearly in both spoken and written form.

• Recognize warning signs of emotional distress, crisis, self-harm, harm to others, substance use concerns, or other risks.

• Apply deductive and inductive reasoning to evaluate client needs, identify patterns, and select appropriate interventions.

• Maintain confidential client records, progress notes, assessments, and treatment documentation.

• Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, educators, case  managers, or community agencies as appropriate.

• Refer clients to additional services, specialists, or community resources when needed.

• Support clients in developing coping skills, communication skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving abilities.

• Maintain compliance with applicable professional ethics, confidentiality laws, and agency policies.

• Participate in supervision, case consultation, continuing education, and professional development activities.

Employee Expectations

• Excellent command of the English language with a passion for supporting expressive language in non-native speakers

• A strong sense of loving accountability and individual and collective responsibility 

• Believe that all students are capable of academic achievement

• Commit to building deep, authentic relationships with students and families

• Duties and expectations are carried out in a positive, productive, accurate, and punctual/on-time manner

• Be receptive to coaching, mentoring, feedback, and performance evaluations for purposes of professional growth and development

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a closely related field.

• Eligibility for state licensures or certification as required by the position and jurisdiction.

• Experience providing counseling, case management, crisis response, or behavioral health services preferred.

• Knowledge of counseling theories, mental health assessment, treatment planning, and ethical standards.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current professional license or associate license, such as LPC, LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, or equivalent, depending on state requirements.

• Experience working with diverse populations.

• Training in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, or related evidence-based practices.

• Experience using electronic health records or case documentation systems.

• Bilingual or multilingual ability, depending on client population needs.

Physical and Cognitive Requirements

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

• Ability to listen attentively for extended periods.

• Ability to read, review, and prepare clinical documents.

• Ability to maintain focus during counseling sessions and administrative tasks.

• Ability to detect verbal and behavioral cues that may indicate client distress or risk.

Who We Are / Our Purpose

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School (Fugees Academy), is on a mission to advance educational justice for refugee students and English Language Learners. Our school model addresses a pressing need not currently met by traditional public education systems – the education of newcomer (refugee and immigrant) students in an environment where their unique identities and needs are welcomed and understood. 

Our Approach / Design Principles

Built around the values, structures, and shared experience of soccer, the Fugees approach is defined by a unifying commitment to working together as a team. On and off the field, Fugees teammates support each other to address challenges, take collective and individual responsibility and realize success together. These Design Principles are reflected in every aspect of our school model.

Relationships: Fugees is an intentionally small and nurturing environment in order to build deep community and relationships. All students are known on a personal level by teachers, staff, leadership, and other students.

Mind, Body, Character: Expression, movement, and the visual and performing arts are as important as academics to overall growth and development. Social-emotional learning, character and student well-being are seen as essential to success on and off the field.

Personalization: Despite being part of a larger team, students and families are given exactly what they need as individuals, whether those needs are academic, social, emotional, or wrap-around services.

Multicultural Identity Development and Celebration: Fugees believes that students can honor and own their identities while also acclimating to U.S. society. The school recognizes and celebrates each student’s and family’s backgrounds and cultures and recognizes diversity as an asset. 

Loving Accountability: Fugees expects that all students can succeed at high levels both academically and behaviorally and students are lovingly held accountable to these expectations through a balance of frequent feedback, authentic consequences and multiple opportunities for success.

Collective and Individual Responsibility: Students and adults take on increasing levels of responsibility both for themselves and for the larger community. This gradual release of responsibility is designed to support every member of the school in developing leadership and life skills.

More About Us!

Fugees Academy, part of the non-profit organization, Fugees Family, Inc., is a tuition-free, community-based, public charter school designed to meet the needs of new American students through English language acquisition and foundational skill study, culturally relevant curriculum and wraparound supports, restorative practices, arts programming, and soccer participation. Every student works as a team member on and off the field to bridge significant gaps in formal schools to graduate on time. We blend creative teaching with academic fundamentals, interwoven with leadership and character building. The Fugees Instructional Model is trauma-aware and is designed to meet students where they are, focusing on the foundational skills that are often lacking in children whose schooling has been nonexistent or interrupted.

Salary is Based on Years of Direct K-12 Experience and Degree Held

Benefits

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes the following: 

• Benefits provided through the State of Georgia’s State Health Benefit Plan

• Specific medical, dental, and vision plans covered 100% for employees and 50% for eligible dependents

• Generous employer contribution towards the employee’s retirement plan as part of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia

• Paid holidays and days off 

• Paid family leave and backup care reimbursement

• Working for a mission-driven organization doing impactful work 

• A fun, collaborative, and balanced culture 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Fugees Family, Inc. and Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School are equal opportunity employers, dedicated to building a culturally diverse staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and strongly encouraging applications from those with refugee and/or immigrant backgrounds.

Perseverance | Respect | Integrity | Dedication | Excellence