Reports To: Director of the Center for Responsive Learning

Supervises: n/a

Pay: $67,623 - $145,073/year

On faculty pay scale, salary is based on education and experience

FTE: 100%

Start Date: 8/20/2026

Schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri, 7:50 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Wed, 7:50 a.m. – 5 p.m.

How to Apply:

Visit our Careers page at stthomasschool.org/about/careers, select the position, and click Apply. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter describing their interest in and qualifications for the position. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Job Summary:

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.

General 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.

Qualifications:

• 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.

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

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 

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.

Position is open until it is filled. No phone calls or drop-ins please.

Thank you for your interest in St. Thomas School.

About St. Thomas School

St. Thomas School, a non-sectarian, Preschool through Eighth Grade school, is one of the oldest independent schools on the east side of Lake Washington. St. Thomas School’s educational journey is defined by a cognitively rigorous program with an emphasis on developing character, leadership, and a passion for learning and achievement. Our mission is to develop responsible citizens of a global society. STS is a recognized leader in developing the whole student. Our core values include gratitude, responsibility, respect, courage, integrity, tolerance, compassion, perseverance, and generosity. STS serves over 300 students and boasts a 55,000 sq. ft. LEED Gold certified campus.

Connections working at St. Thomas School