Oregon Episcopal School seeks an Upper School Counselor to begin duties in August 2026. Interested candidates should include a resume and cover letter addressed to Tracy Hardister (Director of Student Support) when submitting materials.

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 Upper School (US) Counselor supports students in grades 9 to 12 related to academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. The counselor promotes student wellness through prevention, early intervention, and short-term individual and small group support, while collaborating closely with administrators, faculty, residence life, families, and external providers.  

The all-school OES Student Support Team works alongside teachers, students, and parents to create inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environments where students can grow, learn, and thrive. We emphasize our students’ strengths while empowering them to be capable learners who take risks, self-monitor, self-advocate, and develop resiliency. Operating from a holistic perspective, we recognize that a positive and successful educational experience ensures that a student’s academic, social, and emotional needs are met. Through thoughtful collaboration and planning, the OES Student Support Team honors individual learning styles and differences, embracing a diverse learning community. The OES Student Support Team is composed of the Director of Student Support along with a Learning Support Specialist and a School Counselor for each Division.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

Student Support, Collaboration, and Consultation:

• Develop and deliver school-wide social-emotional and wellness initiatives and/or curriculum focused on such topics as mental health literacy, stress management, healthy relationships, substance use, and resilience. Specific programming will be delivered through advisory programming and assemblies. 
• Support teachers, dorm faculty, and advisors with behavioral and social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies that create a positive, predictable learning and living environment.
• Provide short-term, solution-focused 1:1 counseling for students experiencing social, emotional, and/or academic concerns.  
• Facilitate safety planning and coordination of care for students with significant mental health needs, including communicating with the Director of Student Support, US Division Administrators, parents, and external providers as necessary.
• Facilitate small groups focused on topics such as stress management, relationship skills, executive functioning, or transition support for new or international students.
• Lead, coordinate, and facilitate the US Student Support Team (SST) Meetings.
• Participate in Residential Life Team Meetings to identify and support students of concern.
• Provide referrals to students/parents and serve as a liaison to external mental health providers, sharing information consistent with confidentiality guidelines.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and monitoring Student Support Plans, and serve as a Point Person (i.e., case manager) for Student Support Plans.
• Assist, when appropriate, with transitioning students and their families into the OES community, between grade levels, and between divisions.
• Offer crisis intervention and support in the event of a school crisis response need.
• Collaborate with the Student Support Team, student,  parents, and external providers to develop Medical Leave Plans and Re-entry Plans for students who require intensive mental health treatment. 
• Participate in the admissions review process through reviewing applications, attending admissions review meetings, and/or attending admission Open House and applicant screening events. 
• Collaborate with the all-school Student Support Team and Counseling Team, including attending regularly scheduled meetings and collaborating on initiatives.  
• Provide training for faculty and residential life staff on SEL and mental health topics.
• Partner with the school nurse to support students with medical-emotional needs.
• Provide parent education and consultation, including facilitating two parent partnership meetings each school year. 

Professional Responsibilities

• Engage in ongoing professional development, including MTSS implementation, adolescent mental health, trauma-informed practice, and boarding school wellness.
• Participate in all required faculty duties, which may include outdoor and experiential trips, clubs, study hall supervision, evening/weekday programming for boarding students, and attendance at major school events.
• Communicate promptly and professionally with families, teachers, advisors, dorm faculty, and administrators.
• Uphold school policies and contribute to a positive, inclusive school culture.
• Occasional evening, early morning, and weekend responsibilities are required, particularly for crisis response or dorm-related concerns

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain confidential counseling records in accordance with legal, ethical, and school-based guidelines.
• Complete required reporting for student safety concerns, mandated reporting, and health-related incidents.
• Contribute to school policies, protocols, and handbook materials related to counseling, wellness, student support, and MTSS implementation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Five years or more of experience with high school age students in a school setting 
• Strong understanding of SEL, adolescent development, and evidence-based counseling practices.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across academic, residential, and administrative teams.
• Experience in crisis intervention and risk assessment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed or license-eligible in appropriate counseling or mental health discipline.
• Prior experience in an independent school or boarding school environment.
• Experience working with international students.
• Strong understanding of MTSS.

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. 

About Oregon Episcopal School

OUR MISSION: Oregon Episcopal School educates students to realize their power for good as engaged citizens of the world. ABOUT US: Oregon Episcopal School 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 School values employees who seek to continually develop the OES Essential Competencies in students and themselves. 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.

Connections working at Oregon Episcopal School