Title: School Counselor – Elementary Center

Supervises: N/A

Reports to: Director of the Elementary Center

Full-Time or Part-Time: Part Time - .5 FTE

FLSA Status: Exempt

When Needed: August 2022

Why St. Thomas School?

You thrive in a face-paced environment, working alongside others who share your ideals. You are inspired by children and appreciate their joy and energy. You enjoy making an impact and being part of something bigger than yourself. You believe that schools should be among the most innovative places on earth. And you are committed to excellence and professional growth.

We offer a competitive salary, robust benefits, professional development, and an extraordinary work environment.

If this inspires you, we’d love to learn more about you!

Who We Are:

Founded in 1951 and located on the east side of Seattle in Medina, Washington, STS is a private, non-sectarian school for Preschool through Eighth Grade students. Our educational journey is defined by a cognitively engaging program with an emphasis on developing character, leadership, and a passion for learning and achievement. Our highly regarded curriculum prepared students to excel at future endeavors while honoring the school's long standing core values.

We commit to an inclusive and diverse community in which everyone can say, "I belong." We seek employees who are passionate, qualified, and offer diverse perspectives. We are particularly interested in the role education and a diverse learning environment play in promoting equity and inclusivity.

We foster:

• A diverse, safe, and equitable school environment
• Actions and advocacy that support our Core Virtues
• Cultural competence, anti-bias, and social justice
• Intellectually curious and engaged global citizenship

Job Overview:

The Elementary Center Counselor works to provide a preventative, responsive and supportive counseling program for First through Fourth grade students. Under minimal supervision, and with high levels of collaboration, this position supports the wellbeing of St. Thomas School students, families, faculty, and staff. The counselor partners closely with classroom teachers, school support systems, and families to integrate social and emotional learning throughout the daily student experience.

General Responsibilities:

• Partners with classroom teachers to provide direct instruction and experiential activities which are preventative and responsive to students’ growth in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships skills, and responsible decision-making
• Supports the work of all teachers in integrating social and emotional learning within their practice
• Responsively provides counseling to individuals and small groups of students toward specific social and emotional growth
• Participates in child study/intervention processes in conjunction with the Center for Responsive Learning and other team members; is available to observe students in classrooms and work with teachers to develop strategies that may help a student achieve greater success
• Works with the Center for Responsive Learning to refer students and their families to relevant programs, specialists, and outside agencies, as needed
• Facilitates understanding of social and emotional development in the school’s adult community by conducting in-service training and workshops, classes, and groups.
• Enthusiastically engages in professional development while staying aware of current educational research and best practices
• Communicates effectively, providing timely feedback and managing multiple priorities skillfully
• Reflects and adjusts practices based on self-evaluation and feedback from others
• Prioritizes an environment of respect and rapport throughout the school
• Operates within laws and the school’s policies, procedures, and regulations, taking all necessary and reasonable precautions to provide for the safety of students, faculty, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology or related areas
• 3+ years’ experience providing therapeutic support to Elementary aged children

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of current trends, research, and best practices in child development and life skills/advisory programs
• Ability to identify at-risk children and respond appropriately
• Passion for and experience in developing and/or customizing social and emotional learning activities
• Awareness of and training in supporting schoolwide work related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices to build a sense of belonging throughout the school
• Strong knowledge of relevant current state and federal laws
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the students and program
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with all constituents: students, families, faculty, and staff within the community
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Proficient at working in a Microsoft Windows environment and confident in learning new technology

Benefits include: 

• Medical
• Health Savings Account
• Dental
• Vision
• Dependent Care Spending Account
• Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Savings
• Winter Wellness Days (between Dec 25 and Jan 1)

If this sounds like you, we'd like to hear from you. Please click on Apply Now on our careers website and complete our online employment application. Then upload your résumé and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in and qualified for this position.

www.stthomasschool.org/about/careers

Position open until filled.

No phone calls or drop-ins please.

Thank you for your interest in St. Thomas School and this position.

This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.