School Counselor (Full time 2025-26)

JOB STATUS: Full-time/12-month/year position
DEPARTMENT: Pre-K to 8
SALARY RANGE: $68,000 – $105,000 (DOE)
REPORTS TO: Division Heads
WORK LOCATION: Multi-campus position, in-person
START DATE: August 2025

The French American School of Puget Sound is a bilingual French and English school in Mercer Island, WA, serving Young Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 students. The school’s program prepares students for college-preparatory private and public schools locally and abroad and meets the requirements of the French National Curriculum.  The French American School of Puget Sound seeks a caring, certified school counselor or psychologist who will work with students, parents and school staff to support the social and emotional development and other character development needs of students in Young Pre-K through Grade 8.

JOB SUMMARY:

• Provide individual and small-group coaching and counseling to grade YPK-8 students
  Maintain current caseload
• Support the FASPS philosophy of positive discipline, restorative practices, and the implementation of relevant programs and best practices in partnership with teachers and Educational Leadership
• In partnership with the Dean of Students and DEI & Wellbeing Leader, help students develop life skills, social and cultural competencies, and support faculty with SEL through a solid scope & sequence
• In partnership with the DEI & Wellbeing Leader, serve on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and assist FASPS students, staff & Faculty with school culture issues and challenges
• Provide peer relationships, coping strategies, and effective social skills
• Provide communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution
• In partnership with the Dean of Students, assist faculty and parents with the development of behavior modification plans, wellbeing plans and the Behavior Task Force
• Participate in regular meetings with the Dean of Students and Student Success Team
• Facilitate collaboration between home and school
• Refer students, when appropriate, to relevant programs, specialists, and outside agencies
• Facilitate faculty and parental understanding of social and emotional development by providing resources and conducting in-service training and parent workshops, classes, and groups
• Nurture the development and institutionalization of mindfulness and empathy
• Lead initiatives that support students to thrive in a diverse community and foster understanding, acceptance, and inclusion through collaboration and initiative with families, staff, faculty and Educational Leadership
• Help facilitate student transition between grades and divisions
• Communicate closely with teachers and administrators regarding student and family issues
• Communicate effectively and maintain strong relationships with students, families, colleagues, and administrators
• Occasionally work varied hours, including some evenings and weekends as necessary
• Other tasks as assigned by Administration

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & TRAINING: Master’s degree in counseling, Social Work, or Psychology, preferably focused on school counseling. A school counseling certification is preferred.

EXPERIENCE: 3+ years’ experience counseling preschool to middle school-aged children preferred

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated expertise facilitating small group counseling
• Ability to connect well with students and partner with faculty/staff, and families
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Commitment to the development of intercultural competencies
• Willingness to work beyond the school day and week to meet student needs
• Strong knowledge of current trends, research, and best practices in child development and life skills/advisory programs, and ability to identify at-risk children
• Strong knowledge of relevant current state and federal laws
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Skill in addressing key issues, including learning needs, behavior challenges, anxiety, divorce, grief, and family life as it relates to our school environment
• Familiarity with available child and family services
• Fluency in French a plus but not required
• Strong proficiency in English required

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION
FASPS provides a rich benefits package to employees working 20+ hours per week, including health, dental, and vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and a 403b retirement plan.

APPLICATION
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position. Applications that do not include these items may not be considered for the position. No phone calls, please.

Non-discrimination Policy
French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) does not discriminate on any basis that is protected under federal, state, or municipal law. This nondiscrimination policy applies to all areas of student concerns (such as admissions, athletics, educational policies, financial aid, and/or other school-administered programs) as well as to all areas of employment matters (such as hiring, compensation, evaluations, discipline, promotion, and termination). FASPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Applicant Data Privacy Policy
The French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) is committed to protecting the privacy and integrity of your personal information. Unless noted below, the school does not market, trade, or otherwise share applicants’ personal information with any organization or reporting service. The school will limit its use of applicants’ contact information for these purposes only: Review of credentials provided by the applicant, communication with applicants, internal communication with hiring personnel, screening checks for applicants who are offered a position and accepted by the applicant, and internal recordkeeping. By giving us your information, you agree to this privacy policy and permit us to use your information for the stated purposes.

ABOUT THE FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF PUGET SOUND (FASPS)
FASPS is an independent day school located on Mercer Island, serving students 18 months of age through grade 8 with a bilingual program taught in both French and English. Founded in 1995 by a small group of educators and Francophiles, FASPS opened with two teachers and 13 students. Today, FASPS welcomes 435 students on two campuses. Our families come from around the world and represent more than 50 different nationalities and speak more than 20 different languages at home. FASPS is fully accredited by the French Ministry of National Education and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).