3rd-8th Grade School Counselor

St. Thomas School • Medina, WA

40d • Onsite

About The Position

The 3rd – 8th Grade School Counselor supports student well-being and fosters a strong sense of belonging for elementary and middle school students at St. Thomas School (STS). This role designs and implements programming that supports students’ social-emotional development and skills for learning in response to student needs. Counselors at STS work closely with faculty, division directors, and the entire Center for Responsive Learning (CRL) team to support the whole-child development of students.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in school counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience counseling elementary and/or middle school students.
• Strong understanding of social-emotional learning practices and developmentally appropriate counseling strategies for children and adolescents.
• Experience collaborating with faculty and multidisciplinary teams to support student well-being and develop intervention plans.
• Knowledge of current trends, research, and best practices in child development and social-emotional learning.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Ability to identify students who may be at risk and respond with appropriate support and interventions.
• Experience supporting the development of skills for learning, including executive functioning and self-regulation.
• Familiarity with relevant state and federal laws related to student welfare and confidentiality.
• Ability to actively supervise students both indoors and outdoors, in varying weather conditions.
• Readiness to obtain First Aid/CPR certification and maintain throughout employment.
• Successful completion of required background checks in accordance with school policy and state regulations.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to work with diverse individuals and groups.
• Strong classroom management, communication, and interpersonal skills with a collaborative, flexible, and growth-oriented mindset.
• Sound professional judgment and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency with basic technology tools and a willingness to learn school-specific systems.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and community of STS.

Responsibilities

• Plans and delivers social-emotional programming for students in third through eighth grade through a variety of approaches, including teaching select advisory and classroom lessons.
• Provides short-term counseling services to students individually and in small groups to support social, emotional, behavioral, and academic growth.
• Observes students in and outside the classroom, during both structured and unstructured times.
• Identifies and applies developmentally appropriate strategies and interventions to support student success.
• Supports students experiencing social-emotional or behavioral challenges by partnering with faculty, families, and other members of the CRL team to implement interventions and develop support plans.
• Develops relationships with students by maintaining a visible presence in the school community during planned activities and recess/break times.
• Conducts SEL in-service training, workshops, and group sessions for both faculty and families to support the whole STS community.
• Provides crisis intervention support to students and families and connects them with outside resources when needed.
• Communicates relevant observations, highlights, and student progress with families as appropriate.
• Creates and maintains a learning environment where all students feel safe, included, and valued.
• Actively engages in the life of the school and contributes to community-wide events and programs.
• Upholds and models the mission, values, and strategic priorities of STS.
• Demonstrates respect for diverse perspectives and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with students, families, and colleagues.
• Collaborates across departments and actively participates in team, grade level, and division meetings to support a cohesive preschool through eighth grade experience.
• Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information with discretion.
• Adheres to school policies and procedures and performs other duties as assigned by the Director of the CRL.

Benefits

• Employer-paid premiums for employee medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) with employer contributions.
• Competitive paid time off and holidays.
• Robust professional development opportunities.
• Lunches provided at no cost to faculty and staff when school or summer camp is in session.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level