Job Description

Mission Statement

Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative and responsible citizens for a global society.

Position Description

The Upper Schools Counselor is a dynamic and dedicated educator who supports students in both the Upper School for Girls and the Upper School for Boys. The Upper Schools Counselor thrives working with a diverse body of students and families, commits to making a positive impact on the lives of students through personal and differentiated relationships, and seeks to ensure that students feel a sense of belonging in the community. In keeping with an integrated approach to student wellness, and grounded in a deep sense of integrity and discretion, the Counselor supports faculty and parents in their work with students, coordinates with mental health professionals in the community, builds, refines and implements grade-level programming focused on social-emotional learning and other important mental health topics, and in conjunction with the other members of the Upper Schools Leadership Team and other school Counselors, coordinates social and emotional accommodations to work towards student success and growth.  

The Counselor is a core member of a team of administrators charged with supporting students in their journey through Grades 9-12, including another counselor, learning support coordinators, college counselors, assistant directors, and the Director of the Upper Schools. The Upper Schools Counselor advocates for wellness on campus and supports our older students as they navigate the sometimes challenging terrain of adolescence. Understanding that our community thrives when its members feel known and included, the Upper Schools Counselor demonstrates comfort, knowledge, and fluency in topics involving personal identity, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, and ability. 

The Counselor is kind and compassionate and contributes to an overall school climate that promotes healthy adolescent development, student wellness, and the school’s mission and vision.

Position Overview: Duties and Responsibilities

The Upper Schools Counselor:

• Provides support to students as needed, especially those experiencing emotional challenges, and maintains appropriate communication and support for their families; when necessary, the Counselor refers families to outside counselors or psychologists for appropriate counseling or care; 
• Partners with our full team of counselors and administrators to ensure that all Upper School students feel known and supported;
• Builds, delivers, and refines the broader Upper Schools’ health and wellness curriculum in collaboration with the Assistant Directors and other Upper Schools Counselors;
• Facilitates student clubs focused on health and wellness initiatives
• Promotes equity and access to rigorous educational experiences through leadership, advocacy, and collaboration; 
• Supports a positive learning environment for all members of the school community and addresses the needs of all students through culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs; 
• Assists students, families, faculty, and administrators in creating and implementing support plans for students, practicing discretion at all times;
• Provides parent education opportunities throughout the year and parent support as needed; 
• Participates in grade-level teams to identify, strategize on, and support students’ needs, attends faculty meeting, and fulfills other duties as assigned;
• Provides referrals for students and families;
• Participates actively in the life of a day/boarding independent school, including attendance at games, concerts, and plays and some evening and weekend events throughout the academic year;
• Reports to the Upper Schools Director and engages fully in professional responsibilities, including attending meetings and serving on committees, as called.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a salary range between $62,000 and $90,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available to the hired candidate include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life insurance
• Accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Paid sick leave (known as Wellness Days): Each regular full-time employee earns 80 hours of Wellness leave per accrual year 
• Paid vacation accrual. This position accrues up to 51 days of vacation per year. Certain dates may be blocked out for vacation utilization at the discretion of the Division Director
• Eighteen (18) paid Holidays in 2025
• Fifty percent (50%) Tuition remission in accordance with school policy. All fees and incidental expenses are the sole responsibility of the employee-parent
• All children of benefited employees of AWS, who are currently enrolled at AWS, are eligible for extended day services at no charge when school is in session. Charges apply for faculty in-service days or similar days  
• A 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% company match with a 3 % employee contribution

Application Process

Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community, and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, email, and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references, and this completed and signed application , all in PDF format, to Mrs. Erin Gann, Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools, at [email protected] . In accordance with Annie Wright Schools’ strategic focus on issues related to social justice, candidates should anticipate being asked to address how their past work, as well as future contributions, might serve to advance Annie Wright’s commitment to a more diverse and inclusive community. Applications for this position will be accepted until the position is filled.

Qualifications

The Upper Schools Counselor will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list, and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities. The Upper Schools Counselor:

• Holds a master’s degree in school counseling or psychology;
• Has experience as a school counselor at the high school and/or middle school level;
• Has 4-8 years of relevant experience;
• Is familiar with independent schools and/or the International Baccalaureate framework; 
• Is a strong communicator and empathetic listener;
• Is innovative;
• Is a mentor, a guide, and a team-builder with strong character and integrity; 
• Demonstrates an ability to form authentic and appropriate relationships with high school students;
• Demonstrates proficiency in educational technologies;
• Practices cultural humility in personal interactions;
• And is eligible to work in the United States. Note: Under our current employment policies, we are unable to sponsor work visas and do not offer positions to candidates who are not yet eligible to work in the United States.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time;
• Must be able to move comfortably around a classroom, accessing materials and assisting students as needed;
• Must be able to communicate and exchange information with students, other teachers, and families. 
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 

About Annie Wright Schools

Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12, welcoming students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.

Connections working at Annie Wright Schools

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Part time, Work visa, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,

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