Director of Counseling & Student Support, full time

The mission of Trillium Academy is to break away from conventional schooling and celebrate the incredible capabilities of twice-exceptional (2e) students, providing them with the learning environment they need to discover and develop their talents and passions to live successful and enriching lives.

Trillium Academy was founded by a dedicated group of parents with a vision to create a nurturing environment for 2e students in Seattle. Here, students are celebrated for their unique skills and interests and seen as capable individuals with much to contribute to the school community and the world. We value authenticity, positive self-awareness, open and honest communication, and trust built on the belief that everyone has the students’ best interest at the heart of what we do.

Our school is designed to cater to the needs of our students, recognizing their exceptional talents alongside their learning differences. With teacher:student ratios lower than typical private and public schools and a focus on fostering positive relationships, we create an environment where students can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally in grades 4-12. This is a place for students to learn how to be productive, independent, civic-minded adults.

The Director of Counseling and Student Support at our school for twice-exceptional students is a seasoned educational professional with extensive knowledge in health and wellness education, academic support systems, and positive behavioral strategies for 4th to 12th grade. The ideal candidate will have experience in response to intervention and a proven history of working effectively within a school setting.

In this role, you will lead the development and implementation of comprehensive school counseling and student support programs. Collaborating closely with the Head of School and the Student Support team, you will devise strategies and systems for proactive and responsive social, emotional, and behavioral programming.

Reporting directly to the Head of School, you will support the overall well-being of students and work in partnership with school leadership, faculty, and external providers. Your responsibilities will include leading curricular and pedagogical innovations, promoting academic and social-emotional development, and providing short-term, solution-focused counseling to students in need. Additionally, you will partner with families to offer referrals and resources for outside support.

Successful candidates will uphold the school's mission to attract and retain a highly talented and diverse faculty. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to support the school’s educational goals. As professional educators in a dynamic living and learning environment, staff are expected to model professional behavior and maintain appropriate boundaries to ensure a safe and supportive community for teaching and learning. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to engage a diverse student body and foster an inclusive community.

In addition to administrative responsibilities, employees participate in various activities typical of an independent school environment, including advising, committee work, support of experiential education, and other duties as assigned.

• Collaborate with school leadership to develop and implement counseling and learning support tailored for twice-exceptional students.
• Review, coordinate, and enhance the scope and sequence for social-emotional learning and wellness programs across the school.
• Provide training for students and faculty on SEL skills, mental health literacy, resilience, suicide prevention, mindfulness, substance abuse prevention, sexual health education, and more.
• Partner with families to facilitate referrals to mental health care and neuropsychological evaluation providers; maintain communication with these providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Lead mental health crisis-response support, including assessing students for mental health concerns.
• Support students on medical leave in collaboration with school leadership.
• Offer short-term, solution-focused counseling to students as needed.

• 5 years of experience working with children and adolescents in a school or clinical setting.
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in psychology, counseling, clinical social work, special education, or a related field.
• Experience working with neurodivergent learners, particularly twice-exceptional students.
• Knowledge of best practices in counseling, assessment, and learning support for diverse learners.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice in education.
• Successfully complete a nationwide background check
• Currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. No sponsorship is available for this position.

• 10 or more years of experience working with children and adolescents in a school or clinical setting, with at least 5 years in a school-based role.
• Experience in an administrative capacity.
• Experience as a school psychologist.
• Clinical licensure in the State of Washington or eligibility for Washington licensure.
• Professional development and/or training in crisis management.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to manage confidential information and translate clinical and counseling concepts into educational frameworks.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively in teams.
• A proactive and innovative approach, with the ability to collaborate thoughtfully with various school departments, including Equity & Inclusion, Teaching and Learning, and Parent Partnership.
• Knowledge of brain science and research on wellness and learning support, with the ability to communicate this knowledge to all stakeholders.
• Commitment to applying principles of equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in day-to-day work and the broader workplace community.

This is a full-time, position for the 2025-2026 school year (with the possibility of

starting sooner) a competitive salary of $90,000-$100,000 based on degrees and

experience, with abundant professional development opportunities, and a generous

benefits package.

Medical, Dental and Vision, Retirement, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability, PTO