School Counselor

Kairos PDX•Portland, OR

3d•$58,000 - $101,957

About The Position

KairosPDX is a nonprofit organization committed to delivering excellent, equitable education to underserved children, their families, and their communities. Through innovative pedagogy, strong community collaboration, and meaningful family partnerships, we work to close Portland's persistent achievement and opportunity gaps in measurable and sustainable ways. Our mission is to eliminate racial disparities in academic achievement and opportunity by cultivating confident, creative, and compassionate leaders. We advance this mission through a comprehensive organizational approach that includes: the PK-5 KairosPDX Learning Academy, Family Connections programming, the KairosPDX Training Academy, mental health supports, and local and legislative policy work. Learn more at www.kairospdx.org . Working at KairosPDX KairosPDX is currently seeking candidates for a full-time, year-round School Counselor position, starting Summer 2026. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color, to apply. KairosPDX launched its flagship program, the Learning Academy, a public charter school sponsored by Portland Public Schools, in 2014. Located on N. Gantenbein Avenue in Portland, the school utilizes a combination of direct instruction and inquiry-based learning to maximize student outcomes. Our culturally responsive approach integrates mindfulness, restorative practices, studio art, STEM, music, and fitness to support the development of the whole child throughout the day. In 2021, KairosPDX launched the Training Academy, which prepares leaders across multiple sectors to lead equity-centered, transformational change. Grounded in a framework of belonging and the neuroscience of love, the Training Academy provides professional development in rehumanization practices for educators, administrators, early childhood professionals, organizations, and businesses. The Early Learning Academy, launched in 2022 as a Preschool for All pilot site, is designed to affirm and celebrate Black identity in young children and their families. It is rooted in the belief that culturally specific early learning experiences empower children to actively shape their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities. We value creativity, curiosity, and collaboration, and we prioritize listening, observing, and reflecting alongside children and families. The arts and sciences are central to our approach, serving as essential tools for expression, identity, and storytelling across generations. Across our Learning Academies, four core tenets guide our work: (1) inquiry-based instruction, (2) cultural affirmation, (3) anti-racist education, and (4) creativity and play. These principles inform how we engage with data, reflection, feedback, and continuous improvement. 'Kairos' means a special moment in time, and we believe we are creating that moment for children and families every day. KairosPDX is grounded in the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, Honesty, and Service. We are committed to continuous growth and collaboration in the service of our students and community. At KairosPDX, staff are expected to be deeply invested in our mission and to actively contribute to building strong systems, cultivating school culture, and communicating our work with families and the broader community. Our team works collaboratively to support the whole child academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally using research-based practices, established curriculum, and students' interests to inform instruction.

Requirements

At least one- or two-years relevant experience working with children from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds
Proper TSPC licensure to develop and deliver a comprehensive school counseling program, including current School Counseling Certification issued in the State of Oregon
Knowledge of counseling theories, models and techniques for individual and group counseling with an emphasis on trauma-informed practice and mindfulness
Strong communication and organization skills
Ability to initiate and coordinate school-wide core counseling curriculum and counseling activities
Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate discretion, initiative and good judgment
Willingness to learn about and adapt to KairosPDX culture
Openness to learning and practicing a constructivist approach to teaching and learning
Commitment to culturally relevant practices
Commitment to professional reflection and ongoing collaboration
Share KairosPDX’s stance that excellent public education is a civil right of all children and families
Possess a passion for helping each child reach his or her social, emotional and academic potential including a commitment to differentiated instruction and ongoing assessment.
High tolerance for ambiguity, changing work priorities and deadlines, and a willingness to take on responsibilities and to prioritize work on multiple projects
Highly detail-focused and results-oriented
Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple constituencies including families, parents, staff and students
Team-player attitude and strong customer-service orientation
Excellent organizational, planning, and implementation skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Demonstrated initiative, leadership, and tenacity
Willingness to learn about and adapt to KairosPDX culture
Commitment to culturally relevant practices
Commitment to professional reflection and ongoing collaboration
Current Food Handlers Card and CPR/First Aid Certificate required (cost paid by applicant)
Ability to pass a criminal background check.
Ability to adhere to Governors Vaccination Requirements for Teachers and School Staff, note this applies to all KairosPDX non-Instructional staff.
Share KairosPDX’s stance that excellent public education is a civil right of all children and families
Passion for KairosPDX’s mission.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with diverse populations, specifically people of color

Responsibilities

Share responsibility with a team of colleagues and parents to honor the mission: To eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating confident, creative and compassionate leaders
Practice the values of KairosPDX in professional conduct and daily interactions: respect, responsibility, honesty, excellence and service to community
Incorporate the beliefs of KairosPDX in all approaches and instruction Every child is uniquely capable, innately curious and inherently creative, Character and agency are essential to achievement and are developed through relationship and service to others, A multi- cultural context delivers a strong sense of self and is a requirement for participation in our global society, Children must be supported in the context of their families
Support multicultural practice and inquiry based approaches that are: Actively anti-racist - confronting bias in all of its forms, Education for social justice - acknowledging history and studying the present to make informed decisions regarding a more equitable future, Pervasive - Examining practices in all levels of school culture and organization, Personal -Beginning with the necessary consideration of self as a cultural being, Critical Pedagogy - Pursuing multiple perspectives, anticipating contradictions and challenging assumptions, Empowering - Providing children the ego strength to challenge racist societal views, Helping children think deeply about themselves and others.
Support the social- emotional growth of students, staff and families at KairosPDX through: Researching and implementing Trauma Informed tools, practices and mindsets; Collaborating with classroom teachers to implement strategies and develop school wide 'mindful practice'; Planning and preparing an environment supporting the non-academic needs of children, staff and families; Collaborating regularly with the PPS Sped team on specific instruction and strategies for children on IEPs; Developing social- emotional goals for general education children demonstrating particular social-emotional needs; Assessing for progress toward student goals, documenting and maintaining records; Researching and implementing curriculum aligned with school mission and student needs; 'Pushing in' to support student needs that manifest in the classroom environment; 'Pulling out' to practice specific skills; Communicating regularly with the student support team to cultivate consistency in our approach to behavior support; Documenting student support strategies and outcomes; Communicating regularly with staff regarding specific student needs and current social-emotional planning; Collaborating with classroom teachers regarding communication with families concerning their child's social emotional needs; and Collaborating with the Family Connections coordinator to serve as a connection point for outside services supporting family systems (ie.Trillium)
Work with individual students identified as in need of Tier 3 C. I. intervention
Work with groups of students identified as in need of Tier 2 C.I. intervention
Collaborate with school leadership to craft mission consistent systems, strategies and language for cultivating behavior support/change through Cultural Identity and mentoring work
Collaborate with school counselor and behavior support team to identify students in need of tier 2 and tier 3 Cultural Identity (C.I.) intervention
Ensure the development and implementation of accommodations and student intervention plans (Safety, 504) for identified students and families.
Manage workflow and perform multiple complex and responsible activities simultaneously with constantly changing priorities and deadlines
Work with a team of colleagues and families to provide a nurturing and positive climate that encourages student responsibility and intrinsic motivation
Participate in continuous improvement practices including observation, reflection and collaboration
Participate in professional development to facilitate growth of each student, staff member and the organization overall
Attend several KairosPDX staff and family events
Participate in continuous improvement practices including observations, reflections and collaborations
Participation in professional development
Perform other related duties as needed and assigned.