Lower School Counselor

Oregon Episcopal School seeks a Lower School Counselor to begin duties in August 2025.

OUR MISSION: Oregon Episcopal School educates students to realize their power for good as engaged citizens of the world.

ABOUT US: Founded in 1869, Oregon Episcopal School today occupies a wooded 59 acre campus where 880 students in Pre-K through 12th Grade share an excellent faculty, an inquiry based curriculum, and a strong sense of community. The Upper School also includes a small boarding program of international and domestic students who live and learn together enhancing the vibrancy of the school community.

The School values employees who seek to continually develop the OES Essential Competencies in themselves and others and are prepared to engage in a vibrant, diverse learning community. Committed to the professional development of our faculty, teachers are guided by the Learning and Teaching at OES faculty growth model.

As an Episcopal school, we are rooted in a rhythm of gathering and reflection that values and respects all beliefs and cultures. As such, we educate toward a larger purpose – toward inclusion and respect, service and justice and commitment beyond ourselves.

JOB SUMMARY: The LS counselor provides counseling support for students and is an integral part of the Lower School Student Support Team. This position works closely with the Lower School academic specialist to meet student needs. To that end, the counselor collaborates with the LS Student Support Team, the LS Team Leaders, and partners with families. The counselor develops, leads, coordinates, and promotes initiatives and projects that benefit the LS and the larger OES community. A member of the All School Student Support Team, this position is one of the two links that connect counseling and academic support across the Upper, Middle, and Lower Schools. The LS counselor is essential in fulfilling the program’s mission:

The mission of OES Counseling and Academic Support Team is to provide a comprehensive counseling and academic support program addressing the academic, social, and emotional development of students Pre-K-12.  In partnership with students, other educators, parents, and providers in the community, the CAST works to promote lifelong learning, to remove barriers to individuals’ academic success, to promote health and wellbeing, and to nurture the leadership skills necessary for students to realize their power for good so that they may take their place as citizens of local and world communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Facilitate the development of social-emotional competencies, through whole class, small group and individual skill building experiences.
• Provide direct support to LS students and advocate for their social-emotional needs.
• Nurture the development of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, courage, and compassion.
• Work in partnership with the LS academic specialist to develop plans and systems to remove barriers to individuals’ academic success and to promote personal growth, health, and wellbeing.
• Provide information, consultation, and support for LS faculty and staff.
• Work with LS colleagues to coordinate efforts on behalf of individual students and to serve as a member of the Lower School and All School Student Support Teams.
• Lead initiatives that foster understanding, inclusion, and acceptance among our students.
• Facilitate transitions for students and their families into the Lower School, between grades, and into the Middle School.
• Provide parents with information, support, and referrals as needed.
• Develop positive working relationships with community-based professionals in order to facilitate referrals, educational planning, and ongoing monitoring of student progress.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree, school counseling focus preferred
• Three years’ or more of experience with elementary school age students in a school setting
• Intercultural competence, ability to work with sensitivity and effectiveness with students, families, colleagues of diverse backgrounds and identities,  demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion for people of all backgrounds and identities
• Digital literacy; intermediate to advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite, Google Docs/Sheets and other web-based applications; database and cloud storage solutions, such as Google Drive, ability to troubleshoot common hardware and software issues, and good understanding of data privacy principles, particularly in safeguarding student data and personal information.
• Video-conferencing experience, as appropriate to job duties; flexibility and  willingness to learn as digital tools evolve
• Ability to pass a criminal background check

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience in an independent school setting
• Knowledge of and experience with Multi-Tiered System of Support
• Develop curriculum with clear learning outcomes, assessments, and means for feedback using a proficiency grading scale.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Interpersonal skills, ability to connect well with students and partner with faculty/staff, and families, ability to maintain collegial relationships with colleagues
• Verbal and written communication skills, ability to manage confidential  information in compliance with the law and best practice
• Ability to consistently apply principles of equity and inclusion in day to day work and in the broader workplace community
• Organizational skills, ability to work well on teams
• Knowledge of legal standards in compliance with state and federal laws, ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality
• Knowledge of educational technology; openness to innovation, flexibility and willingness to learn as digital tools evolve

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to sit at computer and keyboard for moderate periods
• Mobility sufficient to move about the campus, to include climbing stairs
• Sight and hearing adequate to perform the duties of the job, ability to  communicate clearly
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis

Contact Information