Student Support and Wellness Counselor

Oakwood School is an independent, non-sectarian, college-preparatory school for students in preschool through twelfth grade. Students come to Oakwood for an outstanding, balanced academic program led by expert, passionate teachers who foster confident self-expression and self-discovery. Our diverse community, thriving on an expansive campus, provides a home for an extended family of learners. Here, we share our unwavering commitment to a more intentional education.

Located in beautiful suburban Morgan Hill, CA, Oakwood offers its faculty convenient access to many amenities, such as shops, restaurants, and a variety of outdoor recreational activities. The world-class resources of Silicon Valley, Stanford University, the University of California-Berkeley, San Francisco, and the entire Bay Area are only a short drive away.

Summary

The Student Support Counselor captains academic and social-emotional support services/programs, provides or finds the support necessary for students (and their parents/guardians) who are struggling academically or social emotionally, and helps the Oakwood School Heads with special projects related to strategic initiatives involving pedagogy and the middle and high student experience. The Student Support Counselor provides support to parents/guardians, faculty, department chairs, deans, and Oakwood School Heads as it relates to students.  This position is Full-Time, School-Year beginning in August 2025.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include but are not limited to)

• Partner with the Oakwood School Heads and Deans to support all students, especially those who are struggling academically or social/emotionally, and help faculty implement pedagogical practices that serve students equitably
• Provide leadership and guidance to Oakwood’s grade 6-12 advisory program, partnering with division heads, deans, and advisors to create and implement social and emotional learning curriculum and initiatives
• Develop and write in-house student accommodation/learning plans with long-term goals and specific objectives
• Provide direct support to students with identified Learning Differences and oversight of their related academic accommodations
• Provide counseling to students regarding academics and school-related social/emotional challenges
• Provide crisis intervention and assessment as needed
• Partner proactively with faculty and administration to support neurodiverse students
• Maintain confidential student records and keep accurate documentation for any struggling students, including sessions, meetings, and assessments conducted by third party educational specialists
• Initiate and schedule parent conferences as needed
• Recommend in-school and community resources for identified students, including referrals to mental health professionals
• Collaborate with professionals outside the school to support student success
• Coordinate and facilitate communication between student, family, school, and other involved professionals
• Observe and evaluate individual students displaying academic or behavioral challenges and assess their learning strengths and areas of need
• Supports Admissions by occasionally reading incoming student evaluations when asked
• Supports the High School Testing Coordinator with proctoring of  AP exams, PSAT exams, and SAT exams
• Submit requests for  standardized testing accommodations for qualifying students, through the College Board and collaborate with High School Testing Coordinator to secure testing rooms, and proctors, for these select students
• Network with academic coordinators or learning specialists at other independent schools
• Pursue professional development opportunities (academic support and student wellness)
• Attend conferences and professional meetings in order to remain current with industry trends (academic support and student wellness)
• Participate/assist in professional development of faculty to ensure equitable assessment practices related to evolution from traditional to standards/skill based grading
• Participate in committee, department, and staff meetings, as well as school-sponsored events that would benefit from your area of expertise
• Be involved in the school community at large
• Offer occasional faculty and parent educational programs or training
• Assume responsibility for other projects as assigned by Oakwood Heads

Other Duties and Responsibilities (include but are not limited to)

• Embody Oakwood School’s mission and values
• Support and follow school policies and procedures
• Attend various staff meetings, Back-to-School Nights, Open Houses, and other events as directed
• Contribute to student supervision, including upper school sub pool and parking lot duty

Qualification Requirements/Areas of Professional Development:

• An advanced degree in counseling, school counseling, psychology, school psychology, social work, or related field.
• Possession of a clinical license such as an LMFT, LCSW or Pupil Services Credential is preferred.
• Knowledge of learning disabilities, psycho-educational tests, reports, and assistive technology
• Experience interpreting assessments and test results, academic achievement, and diagnostic testing
• Knowledge of community resources to support students and their families 
• Understanding of differentiated instructional strategies across the curriculum
• Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Strong networking skills to ensure access to resources in the broader community
• Detail-oriented and resourceful
• Tactful and discreet
• Technologically savvy (Google Suite, Student Information Systems, Zoom, etc.)
• High-empathy and enthusiastic about working in an academic atmosphere
• Sense of humor and personal embodiment of Oakwood’s values

Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions

• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-30 pounds
• Ability to perform repetitive wrist/hand/finger movement to work on computer and/or related office equipment.
• Ability to work at a desk/computer for extended periods of time
• Frequently required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear 
• Ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations on campus 
• Normal office environment and moderate noise levels
• Occasional to frequent interruptions

Compensation

This position has an expected salary range of $92,000 to $120,000.

Benefits

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403b retirement plan with employer match, paid sick leave, professional development opportunities, and on-site cardio and weight room. 

Dependent children of employees receive tuition remission (one child no-cost tuition/full-time employee), financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and on-site before and after school care.  Please visit Oakwood’s Employment webpage to learn more and access a full listing of benefits.

Oakwood School is dedicated to a culture of dignity and inclusion for all and is honored to be an equal opportunity employer.