Long-term Substitute School Counselor

Position Summary

Epiphany School seeks a full-time, long-term substitute to serve as School Counselor to join as a seasonal member of the student support team, collaborating with another current full-time school counselor, grade-level teaching teams, specialists, and school leadership to help students in grades 1, 3, and 5 develop essential social-emotional skills while fostering a sense of belonging, safety, and significance in their school environment. They work to ensure educational access and equity, maximizing student success. Key responsibilities include supporting schoolwide social-emotional programs, collaborating with faculty and families to promote student well-being, and serving as a primary contact for student behavioral support while our second school counselor is on maternity leave.

An ideal candidate will bring strong communication and collaboration skills, knowledge of child development and trauma-informed school counseling practices, a growth mindset, and a commitment to social justice.

This is a full-time, exempt, seasonal, faculty position reporting to the Upper Elementary Assistant Head of School.

The assignment is expected to begin on August 17th, 2026, with an anticipated end date of January 8th, 2027.

Location

The person in this role must work in-person on the school campus in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Epiphany School does not cover or reimburse relocation costs and/or expenses.

Standard work hours are typically Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm. Staff meetings may run through 5:00pm on Wednesdays (dates will be communicated ahead of time).

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Provide short-term individual and small group counseling for students.
• Collaborate and consult with families, faculty, and administration regarding student social, emotional, and behavioral needs and support.
• Collaborate with grade level teachers in support of SEL lessons in the classroom.
• Refer families to outside providers for mental and behavioral health supports including psychotherapy and counseling, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and neuropsychological evaluations.
• Collaborate with and maintain relationships with outside providers.
• Respond to in-the-moment needs for classroom behavioral, social, and emotional support.
• Leading and attending the Student Support Team process.
• Provide feedback for faculty on Social-Emotional and Behavioral Development progress report comments during each report writing cycle.
• Develop and facilitate annual faculty and staff education on tiered social, emotional, and behavioral intervention and best practices regarding self-harm, harm to others, bullying, and CPS protocol.
• Keeping track and analyzing data to determine student and school-wide social emotional needs.
• Support annual parent education on relevant social-emotional learning topics.
• Collaborate with administration to determine school-wide behavioral norms, expectations, and disciplinary policy.
• Collaborate with faculty and administration to create and implement positive behavior intervention plans for students as needed.
• Write monthly newsletter posts for select grade levels.

Expectations For All Teachers at Epiphany School:

• Create a learning environment based on Epiphany School’s mission, vision, and values
• Use Responsive Classroom approach as a framework for working with students
• Implement instructional strategies that contribute to a climate where students are actively engaged in meaningful learning experiences
• Identify, select, and modify instructional resources to meet the needs of the students with varying backgrounds and learning differences
• Assess student progress and maintain effective record keeping procedures
• Attend grade-level and faculty meetings as scheduled
• Effectively and efficiently manage classroom resources and budget
• Provide recess supervision as scheduled
• Participate in the school community, including professional learning, service learning, and community events
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by their supervisor

Typical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced degree in mental health related field or school counseling.
• Experience working for a school or with elementary-aged children.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of child development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in the English language; additional language proficiencies a plus.
• Organized, efficient, and responsive to student, faculty, and family needs.
• Personable, welcoming presence and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to relate to and effectively communicate with constituents of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Committed to inclusion, equity, and fostering a strong sense of belonging, adaptable, student-centered, and consistent.
• Knowledgeable about trauma-informed practices in a school setting.

DCYF Compliance:

• Ability to obtain the following (the school will cover all associated costs to obtain)
  • Portable background check
  • STARS 30-hour child-care basics training
  • Proof of a negative TB test
  • Proof of MMR and COVID-19 immunization

Compensation & Benefits

Long-term substitute teaching rates are based on the years of experience, education, and certification the individual brings to the role, according to Epiphany School’s faculty pay scale. Annual salary ranges from $68,871 to $134,571 depending on years of experience, education, and continuing education credits. Candidates may be asked to provide additional documentation to determine placement on the scale. Annual salary will be pro-rated based on the length of assignment. For more information, please reach out to Nicole Travis, HR Manager.

Due to the seasonal nature of the role, this position is not eligible for benefits but will still accrue paid sick/safe leave based on city and state leave laws and will be eligible for access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter through our Employee Portal. The priority review deadline for applications will be April 30, 2026, but applications will be received until the position is filled.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United Sates and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Final offers will be contingent on the successful completion of a background, education, and employment check.

About Epiphany School

Epiphany School is a non-parochial, independent elementary school serving grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school mission is to challenge and support all students to become confident, curious, and courageous learners through innovative teaching in a caring and inclusive environment. We strive to inspire every child to discover meaning and purpose in a life of learning and actively cultivate an awareness and respect for diversity in all forms. We aim to create a positive, joyful, and inclusive community by embracing the following values:

• Learn Joyfully
• Try New Things
• Act Responsibly
• Invite Everyone In
• Shine Together

With over 270 students, Epiphany School is large enough to offer a broad spectrum of educational opportunities and small enough to maintain a close-knit community. The beautiful, historic campus is located in a quiet setting in central Seattle’s Madrona neighborhood.

Epiphany School’s Commitment to Diversity

Epiphany School promotes and cultivates a diverse community as essential to academic success, social and emotional growth, and the development of good character. Engaging diverse perspectives stretches the mind and requires critical thinking, intellectual courage, and creativity. It takes careful listening and thoughtful expression and manifests itself in cultural competency. Thinking beyond oneself and seeing the world through the eyes of others is the foundation of fairness and empathy, and thus prepares our students to live respectfully and responsibly in our pluralistic democratic society.

Epiphany School is committed to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the principle of equal access and opportunity in education and employment and full participation for persons with disabilities in all its programs and services.

Epiphany School is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee because of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, political ideology, physical, mental, or sensory disability, military status, genetic information, age, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Epiphany School complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@epiphanyschool.org.

Due to the seasonal nature of this role, this position is not eligible for benefits but will still accrue paid sick/safe leave based on city and state leave laws and will be eligible for access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Proficient in the English language, additional language proficiencies a plus