2026-27 - Substitute School Counselor

Young World Physical Education

Lacey (WA)

On-site

USD 20,295 - 36,900

Part time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Union position benefits

Job summary

Young World Physical Education is seeking a Substitute School Counselor for the 2026-27 school year in Lacey, Washington. The counselor will be pivotal in executing the guidance program, supporting academic and personal growth for students from culturally diverse backgrounds. Duties include counseling, curriculum consulting, and collaborating on student interventions. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in school counseling and a valid Washington State ESA certificate. The role offers competitive pay rates, including $200 for a full day.

Qualifications

Experience working with culturally diverse families.
Ability to apply evidence-based counseling models.
Understanding of middle and high school students' characteristics.

Responsibilities

Implement counseling programs and create a positive school climate.
Provide academic and personal counseling to students.
Collaborate with the counseling team for program development.

Skills

Bilingual skills

Leadership skills

Strong assessment skills

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in school counseling

Valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate Certificate

Job description

2026-27 - Substitute School Counselor

North Thurston Public Schools District-wide – Lacey, Washington. Open in Google Maps.

Job Details

Job ID: 5707592
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: May 12, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)
Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

Employment starts: 2026-27 School Year.

Valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Certificate Required

Substitute Counselor Pay Rates

Full Day: $200.00/day
Half Day: $110.00/day
Long Term Full Day: $220.00/day
Long Term Half Day: $115.00/day

Position Summary

The school counselor works with the principal in carrying out the school’s guidance and counseling program, providing proactive leadership to engage stakeholders and support students’ academic, career, personal, mental health, and social development. The counselor may be assigned at the elementary, middle, or high school level. The district serves a diverse community; more than 50% of students come from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Implement the district’s counseling and intervention program, serve as a resource for staff, administrators, and parents to create a positive school climate and support students’ self-concept.
Consult with district administration and building staff about curriculum development to meet student needs.
Participate in or lead development of positive behavior support systems and intervention strategies.
At the elementary level, provide early identification and intervention of students’ academic and personal/social needs, liaise with outside agencies for child safety and welfare, and attend IEP meetings when needed.
At the middle school level, provide a comprehensive developmental counseling program to support adolescents, help students explore interests, integrate learning, and foster identity development.
At the high school level, assist students with transition to adulthood, evaluate strengths and career choices, and provide decision‑making skills; support students facing high‑risk behaviors.
Provide school orientation, grade‑level transition planning, and student schedule management.
Determine student placement, guide course selection, and coordinate identification of students with educational handicaps.
Give academic, vocational, and personal counseling to students.
Help students improve study skills, test‑taking strategies, organization, decision‑making, and coping skills; address substance abuse, violence, or other at‑risk behaviors.
Offer individual and small‑group counseling for peer mediation and crisis intervention.
Collaborate with the cross‑district counseling team to implement ACA standards and a comprehensive counseling plan.
Coordinate referrals of families to special in‑district and out‑of‑district services; assist staff training on high‑risk youth and interactions.
Make classroom and community presentations on study skills, goal setting, career awareness, substance abuse education, parenting, school‑to‑work, and multicultural/diversity awareness.
Maintain adequate student records and school data for program coordination.
Follow Board policies and stay updated on changes.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience working with culturally diverse families and communities, or demonstrated commitment to community engagement.
Master’s degree in school counseling and required state certification as an Educational Staff Associate in counseling work in Washington State.
Ability to apply a variety of evidence‑based personal and family counseling models.
Leadership skills to plan, organize, and facilitate staff meetings, planning processes, and community projects.
Strong assessment, analytical, and diagnostic skills.
Positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and the community.
Human relations skills with sensitivity to others’ needs.
Understanding of unique characteristics of middle and high school students.
Clear oral and written communication.
Teamwork skills to solve student learning and behavior problems.
High ethical standards.
Ability to provide direct counseling to groups of identified students.
Appropriate intervention in crisis situations.
Maintain open, stable, interpersonal relationships.
Maintain confidentiality.
Sensitivity to cultural, developmental, religious, and ethnic diversity.

Desired Qualifications

Bilingual skills.
Experience at the assignment level.
Knowledge of current counseling trends and techniques.
Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

The employee must sit, move, hear, speak, lift up to 50 pounds, and sometimes restrain students. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception. Work may occur outdoors, in wet conditions, near fumes, chemicals, and infectious materials. Noise levels vary from moderate to loud.

Employee may need to travel in school owned or leased vehicles while supervising students.

Insurance Benefits

Employees working 630 hours per school year are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long‑term disability, and basic life insurance.
Benefits administered by Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board.
Relevant benefit information can be found at https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees must be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan.
Employees may participate in 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans.
403(b) information at https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/; consult a financial planner for enrollment.

THIS IS A UNION POSITION.

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or use of a trained guide or service animal. Designated personnel for complaints include Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Officer: executivedirectorHR@nthurston.k12.wa.us (360‑412‑4453); Section 504 Coordinator: 504@nthurston.k12.wa.us (360‑412‑4465). Address: 305 College St. NE, Lacey, WA 98516.

Background Check Requirement

Effective June 11, 1992, all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. Employment is temporary until a satisfactory check is received.

Job Requirements