School Counselor

About ECDS

Evergreen Country Day School is an independent PK-8 school serving 240 students in the foothills west of Denver. Over the past five years, we have grown thoughtfully from 150 students to our current enrollment, building both our programs and our community with intention.

We are known for strong relationships, innovative programming, and a willingness to try new things while staying grounded in what matters most: helping students develop confidence, capability, and compassion. Our mountain setting is not just geography; it shapes how we approach learning, risk-taking, and growth.

As ECDS has grown, we have reached an important inflection point. The School Counselor position represents our commitment to being proactive, building capacity before we need it, strengthening our ability to support students and families through challenges that are increasingly complex. This is a founding role. You will be creating ECDS's first comprehensive social‑emotional learning framework, establishing referral systems that do not yet exist, and defining what student support looks like across all grade levels.

You will have significant autonomy to shape the role based on what students, families, and faculty need.

We seek a licensed mental health professional to serve as our School Counselor. This is not a clinical therapy role; rather, it focuses on prevention, capacity‑building, and creating structures that help students, teachers, and families navigate challenges effectively.

The School Counselor will work as a thought partner to the Head of School and Division Directors, supporting our 40+ faculty members, and creating a cohesive, developmentally appropriate SEL framework from toddlers through eighth grade.

Reports to:

Head of School

Team:
Student Support Team (Learning Specialists, Division Heads)

Schedule:

Full-time, 9‑month position (August–May)

Salary: $70,000–$85,000 depending on experience

Our students are curious, creative, and caring. They are navigating the same challenges facing kids everywhere. You will work with students who range from confident leaders to quiet observers, from kids who have been with us since Pre‑K to new arrivals finding their place.

• Anxiety and stress management (increasingly prevalent)
• Learning differences and executive function support
• Social dynamics and peer relationships
• Developmental challenges around eating, nutrition, and body image
• Navigating cultural identity and building inclusive community
• Transitions (new students, division changes, family situations)
• Supporting students from stable backgrounds who still struggle

Your work is organized around a tiered support model, with the majority of time dedicated to building systems and capacity (Tier
1) rather than individual crisis response.

Develop SEL Curriculum & Programming:

• Partner with division directors to create a vertically aligned, evidence‑based SEL curriculum for PK-8
• Partner with teachers to integrate SEL into classroom routines and outdoor education experiences
• Design age‑appropriate lessons and resources faculty can use independently

Support Faculty:

• Lead professional development on SEL practices and developmental challenges across PK-8
• Provide coaching and consultation to teachers on student needs
• Build faculty capacity to recognize and respond to social‑emotional challenges

Create Systems & Protocols:

• Establish clear referral pathways for students needing additional support
• Develop protocols for connecting families with external therapeutic resources
• Create toolkits for common challenges (anxiety, attention, peer conflict, transitions)

Engage Families:

• Lead parent education workshops on relevant topics (anxiety, screen time, social development, nutrition). This can include leading them yourself or bringing in outside speakers
• Provide guidance to families navigating challenges
• Coordinate referrals to external mental health providers when appropriate

• Lead small student groups focused on specific SEL…