Temporary School Counselor – Elementary & Middle School

Campuses: 301 De Montfort Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112 & 75 Francis Street, San Francisco, CA 94112
Assignment: Temporary, January–May
Compensation: $3,250–$3,400 bi-weekly
Reports To: Head of School/Principal

Position Overview

Stratford School is seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and student-centered Temporary School Counselor to support students across our elementary and middle school campuses in San Francisco. This position will provide short-term, school-based counseling and social-emotional support while partnering closely with students, families, teachers, and school leadership.

The School Counselor will serve as a visible and trusted resource within the school community, supporting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students. This role will travel between our two San Francisco campuses, with mileage/travel reimbursement provided for travel between campuses.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced counselor or school-based mental health professional who enjoys working in a dynamic educational environment and building strong relationships with students, families, and educators.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide short-term, school-based counseling to elementary and middle school students in individual and group settings.
• Facilitate peer mediation, restorative conversations, and restorative conferences.
• Support the development and implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL) programming across the school.
• Provide teachers and parents with guidance and strategies for supporting students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or interpersonal challenges.
• Develop and implement student behavior support plans as appropriate.
• Recommend outside resources and support services for students and families when additional services are needed.
• Assess and respond to student concerns and crisis situations in accordance with school policies and procedures.
• Participate as a member of the school's crisis management and response team.
• Design and deliver bi-weekly social-emotional learning lessons across classes to enhance student learning, engagement, and well-being.
• Develop and manage an educational feature for the weekly parent newsletter to promote transparent and meaningful home-school communication.
• Facilitate professional development and hands-on training for educators during staff meetings.
• Develop and facilitate educational workshops for students, parents, faculty, and the broader school community as needed.
• Collaborate with the school team in reviewing requests for reasonable accommodations and, when appropriate, communicate with outside support specialists.
• Maintain accurate and appropriate records related to student interventions, accommodations, communications, and progress.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students, families, teachers, and school leadership.
• Travel between the two San Francisco campuses as needed to support students and school operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commitment to creating a joyful, loving, respectful, safe, and supportive learning environment.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and teachers.
• Strong understanding of the social-emotional needs of elementary and middle school students.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and decision-making skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple student needs and caseloads.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong active listening, empathy, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with educators, administrators, families, and outside professionals.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning as a collaborative member of a school team.
• Commitment to supporting Stratford School's educational philosophy and community values.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Education, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of professional experience working with elementary and/or middle school students.
• Experience providing counseling, behavioral support, social-emotional programming, or related student support services.
• Experience developing or implementing social-emotional learning programming.
• Demonstrated ability to respond appropriately and professionally to sensitive student and family situations.
• Willingness and ability to help develop and implement programs and processes within a school environment.
• Ability to travel between two San Francisco campuses as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in School Counseling, School Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
• School counseling or school psychology credential/license, as applicable.
• National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification or other relevant professional credential.
• Experience working as a school-based counselor, preferably within an independent or private school setting.
• Experience supporting both elementary and middle school students.
• Experience developing SEL curriculum, facilitating restorative practices, or providing staff training.