Website San Domenico School
K-12 Private School
Introduction
San Domenico is an independent, K-12 day and boarding school with a tradition of innovation and academic excellence since 1850. Rooted in our mission to inspire inquiry, reflection, and purpose, we empower students to lead lives of courage, wisdom, and kindness. At San Domenico, diversity and inclusivity are foundational to our vibrant community of 680 students, including 140 boarders from more than 20 countries.
Purpose Statement
San Domenico School, a K-12 independent school in San Anselmo, is seeking a compassionate and skilled Upper School Counselor for the 2025-2026 school year. This faculty position, reporting to the Director of Upper School, plays a vital role in fostering student well-being by providing short-term counseling, social-emotional learning support, wellness education and programming for students in grades 9-12.
The Counseling Department at San Domenico School is dedicated to enhancing the overall health and wellness of students and families by offering a range of preventative and responsive support services. Upper School Counselors provide individual and small-group counseling, crisis intervention, and student advocacy while also collaborating with faculty, administrators, and families to create a school culture that prioritizes mental health and emotional resilience. While counselors offer guidance, problem-solving, and referrals to external resources, they do not provide formal psychotherapy.
In addition to direct student support, the Upper School Counselor plays a key role in developing and implementing wellness programs, family education initiatives, and faculty training and development that align with the school’s mission and commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive learning environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong interpersonal skills, expertise in adolescent mental health, and a passion for working collaboratively to empower students and promote their social-emotional growth.
Key Responsibilities of the Upper School Counselor:
Direct Student Support & Crisis Response
Provide short-term individual and small-group counseling to Upper School students (grades 9-12), addressing academic, social-emotional, and mental health concerns.
Serve as a trusted resource and advocate for students, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and supported.
Respond to student concerns with compassionate, developmentally appropriate interventions that promote resilience and well-being.
Provide immediate support and risk assessments for students experiencing crises, including self-harm, suicidal ideation, or significant emotional distress.
Collaborate with administrators, families, and outside professionals to ensure appropriate interventions and crisis response.
Track student concerns, interventions, and progress using appropriate databases and reporting tools while maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.
Wellness & Program Development
Collaborate with the Health and Wellness Team to develop, implement, and refine wellness initiatives that align with student needs and the school’s mission.
Lead proactive wellness education through workshops, advisory programming, and classroom-based initiatives.
Partner with faculty, residential staff, and student leaders to integrate wellness practices into school culture.
Coordinate family education programming in collaboration with other school counselors.
Collaboration, Communication & Equity
Work closely with the Student Support Team, Learning Support teachers, College Counselors, school nurses, the Dean of Students, counselors, and faculty to create a holistic and integrated support system for students.
Engage families in proactive communication, providing guidance on adolescent development, mental health, and school-life balance.
Serve as a liaison to outside mental health professionals, making referrals when appropriate and ensuring coordinated care for students in need.
Advocate for and have a keen understanding of culturally responsive, inclusive counseling practices that support the diverse needs of the student body.
Collaborate with the Assistant Head of School for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion to promote equitable mental health and wellness initiatives.
Integration Into School Life
Be a visible and engaged presence on campus, fostering strong relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
Support classroom teachers and advisors in finding ways to help students succeed.
Play an active role in the Residential Life Program, ensuring that boarding students feel supported and integrated into the school community.
Actively participate in community events, student activities, and leadership programming to foster connection and well-being.
Have confidence and comfort with speaking in front of students, faculty, and families about student well-being and mental health topics.
Professional Development & Ethical Standards
Stay informed about best practices, legal requirements, and emerging trends in adolescent mental health, school counseling, and wellness education.
Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance counseling effectiveness.
Maintain ethical standards and confidentiality in accordance with school policies and professional guidelines.
Success Indicators
Positive impact on students, measured through relationships, feedback, and overall well-being.
Development and refinement of effective wellness initiatives.
Strong collaboration with faculty, families, and leadership to foster a culture of wellness.
Effective communication and engagement in the school community as a trusted resource.
Required Qualifications:
Master’s, PsyD, or Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience providing short-term individual and small-group counseling to adolescents.
Strong knowledge of adolescent development, social-emotional learning (SEL), and common mental health challenges affecting high school students.
Experience implementing school-based wellness programs, social-emotional learning, or anti-bullying initiatives.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with students, parents, faculty, and administrators.
Experience leading parent education sessions on adolescent development, mental health, and school-life balance.
Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team, including teachers, learning specialists,nursing staff, and external mental health professionals.
Understanding of restorative justice practices and their application in student conflict resolution and community-building.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive counseling practices.
Familiarity with ethical guidelines in counseling, including confidentiality and mandated reporting responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
California Mental Health Licensure (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, PsyD, or Ph.D.) strongly preferred.
3+ years of counseling experience in a school or clinical setting.
Prior experience working in a high school setting or with adolescent populations.
Candidates with experience in boarding schools or internationally diverse communities will be viewed favorably.
Training in trauma-informed care and its application in school settings.
Classroom teaching experience or experience facilitating wellness-related programming in an educational setting.
Experience supporting students with diverse learning needs, neurodiversity, or disabilities (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, depression, or learning differences).
Familiarity with mindfulness, resilience-building, and stress management techniques for adolescents.
Experience using student information systems and electronic case management tools to document and track student support interventions.
Familiarity with DBT practices in teen settings.
Knowledge of data-informed decision-making to assess student needs and evaluate the effectiveness of counseling and wellness programs.
Compensation:
The salary range for this position is $80,000- $135,000 annually, commensurate with skill set and experience. This position is classified as exempt and includes an excellent benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life insurance, a matching 403b retirement plan, and daily lunch on work days.
How to apply:
Please send cover letter, describing how your experience and skills will contribute to the position, along with your resume and salary requirements to: hr@sandomenico.org or mail to:
San Domenico School
1500 Butterfield Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Attn: Upper School Counselor
San Domenico School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, religion, marital status, military or veteran status,
or any other legally protected basis.
No phone calls, please.
To apply for this job email your details to alouisa@sandomenico.org
