The posting
Santa Fe South Schools | Founding School Counselor, Paloma Elementary
Oklahoma City, OK | Full-Time | 195 Days | 2027–2028 School Year
About Santa Fe South Charter Schools
Santa Fe South Charter Schools (SFS) is a free public charter school district serving the south side of Oklahoma City since 2001. Our mission is grounded in high expectations, strong relationships, and a deep belief that all students—regardless of background—deserve an excellent, joyful education that prepares them for long-term success.
About Our New Elementary School
Santa Fe South is preparing to open its seventh elementary school, Paloma Elementary, for the 2027–2028 school year, and we are beginning to build the founding team now. While the school's name is still to come, its purpose is clear: create a school where strong instruction, meaningful relationships, and high expectations give students an exceptional start.
Initially serving students in PreK–1st grade, our new school will place a strong emphasis on building foundational academic, social, emotional, and behavioral skills. We believe children learn best when they feel safe, connected, supported, and confident in their ability to succeed.
The founding School Counselor will play an essential role in establishing a positive school culture, developing student support systems, and building meaningful relationships with students and families from the very beginning. This is an opportunity to help shape how a new school approaches student well-being, belonging, and the development of skills that support lifelong success.
Position Summary
The Founding School Counselor supports students' academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development by providing direct counseling services, implementing proactive student supports, and collaborating with teachers, school leadership, families, and community partners.
This position is structured as approximately 80% counseling services and 20% administrative and school support. The counselor provides individual and small-group counseling, delivers developmentally appropriate classroom guidance lessons, supports attendance interventions, connects families with resources, and helps identify and respond to student needs.
With an initial focus on PreK–1st grade students, the counselor will help children develop essential skills such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and healthy relationships. The counselor will also support teachers and families in creating consistent, supportive environments that promote student growth.
As a founding team member at Santa Fe South's seventh elementary school, the counselor will help establish effective student support systems, contribute to a culture of belonging, and develop practices that strengthen relationships between the school and its families.
While the counselor works closely with site administrators to support student behavior and well-being, the counselor does not serve as a school disciplinarian or administer disciplinary consequences. Instead, the counselor partners with students, families, teachers, and school leadership to identify underlying needs, develop appropriate supports, and help students build the skills necessary for success.
Major Responsibilities and Duties
Counseling & Student Development
- Provide individual and small-group counseling to address students' academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs using developmentally appropriate approaches.
- Help students develop foundational skills related to emotional regulation, coping, friendship, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and self-advocacy.
- Deliver classroom guidance lessons and schoolwide learning opportunities that support social-emotional development, positive relationships, and student well-being.
- Conduct student observations and consultations to identify individual needs and recommend appropriate interventions.
- Develop and implement individualized student support plans when appropriate, in collaboration with teachers, families, and school leadership.
- Advocate for students' mental health, emotional well-being, and access to appropriate services.
- Provide short-term, school-based counseling and help connect families with additional services when student needs extend beyond the scope of the school counseling program.
- Create a welcoming, supportive environment where students feel safe, valued, and connected to their school community.
Collaboration & Family Partnerships
- Establish positive, trusting relationships with students and serve as a dependable, supportive adult within the school community.
- Collaborate with classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators to create positive, structured, and supportive learning environments.
- Provide consultation and practical strategies to help teachers support students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or family-related challenges.
- Maintain proactive, compassionate communication with families regarding student needs, progress, and available supports.
- Partner with families to reinforce positive behaviors, emotional development, and school readiness skills at home.
- Collaborate with district crisis counselors, student support personnel, and community organizations to coordinate appropriate services.
- Participate in family engagement opportunities, schoolwide initiatives, and activities that strengthen relationships and promote student success.
Student Support Coordination & Community Resources
- Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of counseling services, student contacts, referrals, and interventions.
- Coordinate supports for students receiving multiple layers of academic, behavioral, social, or emotional assistance.
- Connect students and families with appropriate school, district, and community-based resources.
- Follow up with families and service providers as appropriate to support continuity of services.
- Participate in student support meetings and collaborative problem-solving processes to identify needs and develop effective interventions.
- Maintain confidentiality and follow applicable legal, ethical, and district requirements regarding student records and sensitive information.
Crisis Intervention & Student Safety
- Recognize and respond appropriately to student safety concerns, including suspected abuse or neglect, threats of harm, and other situations requiring immediate intervention.
- Follow district crisis response protocols, mandatory reporting requirements, and established student safety procedures.
- Collaborate with site leadership, district crisis counselors, families, and outside agencies when appropriate to coordinate student safety and support.
- Provide developmentally appropriate assistance to students and staff following crises, traumatic events, or other significant situations affecting the school community.
- Support proactive approaches to student safety, emotional well-being, and the development of a supportive school environment.
Attendance, Behavior & Schoolwide Student Support
- Support attendance intervention efforts by working with students, families, teachers, and administrators to identify and address barriers to consistent school attendance.
- Review student information related to attendance, academics, behavior, and counseling referrals to identify patterns and emerging needs.
- Collaborate with teachers and school leadership to develop targeted interventions that promote positive behavior, student engagement, and school success.
- Support the development and implementation of proactive, developmentally appropriate behavioral supports and social-emotional learning practices.
- Help students build the skills needed to navigate classroom expectations, peer relationships, transitions, and daily school routines.
- Monitor the effectiveness of student supports and recommend adjustments based on student progress and identified needs.
- Contribute to schoolwide initiatives that promote belonging, positive relationships, emotional well-being, and a strong school culture.
Administrative & School Support
Approximately 20% of this position may be dedicated to administrative, operational, or schoolwide responsibilities based on campus needs.
Responsibilities may include:
- Supporting schoolwide assessment and testing coordination, including potentially serving as Building Test Coordinator.
- Assisting with schoolwide events, family engagement activities, student celebrations, and other campus initiatives.
- Supporting schoolwide systems and processes that contribute to effective campus operations.
- Assisting with arrival, dismissal, student transitions, or other shared campus responsibilities as needed.
- Participating in required meetings, professional development, and district initiatives.
- Performing other duties as assigned by school administration.
Founding School Preparation & Development
- Collaborate with the founding Site Leader, instructional staff, and district teams to establish effective student support systems before the school's opening.
- Help develop processes for identifying students with social, emotional, behavioral, or family-related needs and connecting them with appropriate services.
- Establish consistent practices for counseling referrals, student support documentation, family communication, and coordination of services.
- Contribute to the development of a positive, welcoming school culture where students and families experience a strong sense of belonging.
- Support the establishment of proactive approaches to social-emotional learning, positive behavior, conflict resolution, and student well-being.
- Build relationships with district support personnel and community organizations to help establish a network of resources for students and families.
- Collaborate with the founding team to plan family engagement opportunities, student transition supports, and activities that help children feel connected to their new school.
- Bring initiative, flexibility, and a problem-solving mindset to the work of opening a new school.
- Identify emerging student support needs, communicate challenges, and help refine systems and practices as the school grows.
Qualifications
Required
- Master's degree in School Counseling or a related field.
- Demonstrated understanding of children's social, emotional, behavioral, and academic development.
- Knowledge of developmentally appropriate counseling strategies, student support interventions, and relationship-building practices.
- Understanding of crisis intervention, mandatory reporting requirements, and student safety procedures.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to establish positive relationships with young children, families, teachers, and school leaders.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound professional judgment, and handle sensitive student and family information responsibly.
- Strong organizational, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to high expectations, continuous improvement, and the mission of Santa Fe South Charter Schools.
Preferred
- Valid Oklahoma certification as a School Counselor; candidates actively working toward certification may be considered.
- Experience providing counseling or student support services in an elementary school setting.
- Experience working with PreK–1st grade students or supporting early childhood social-emotional development.
- Knowledge of schoolwide behavioral support systems, social-emotional learning, and multi-tiered systems of support.
- Experience collaborating with families and community organizations to coordinate student services.
- Experience supporting attendance interventions, student support teams, or schoolwide wellness initiatives.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
Who Thrives in This Role?
We are looking for a founding team member who demonstrates:
- Commitment to the whole child: Understands that academic success is closely connected to students' social, emotional, and behavioral development.
- Strong relationships: Builds authentic, trusting connections with young children, families, and colleagues and helps others feel welcomed and valued.
- Developmental understanding: Recognizes the unique needs of early elementary students and approaches challenges with patience, empathy, and age-appropriate expectations.
- Proactive student support: Identifies needs early, develops practical interventions, and focuses on helping children build skills rather than simply responding to challenges.
- Collaboration: Works closely with teachers, school leaders, families, and district support teams and understands that student success is a shared responsibility.
- Professionalism and discretion: Handles sensitive situations thoughtfully, maintains confidentiality, and demonstrates sound judgment.
- Organization and follow-through: Balances direct student services, documentation, and schoolwide responsibilities while maintaining consistent, dependable support.
- Flexibility and initiative: Embraces the opportunities and challenges of opening a new school, anticipates needs, and helps develop effective solutions.
- Belief in every child: Maintains high expectations while recognizing students' individual strengths, experiences, and potential for growth.
Why Join Santa Fe South?
- Help build something lasting: Join the founding team of a new elementary school and help shape its student support systems, relationships, and culture from day one.
- Make a meaningful impact: Support children during their foundational school years, helping them develop the confidence, relationships, and skills they need to thrive.
- Shape a culture of belonging: Play an important role in creating a school where students feel safe, connected, supported, and ready to learn.
- Build meaningful relationships: Partner closely with students, families, teachers, and school leaders in a community that values connection and collaboration.
- Grow through collaboration: Work alongside experienced educators, district support professionals, and school leadership while contributing your expertise to a new and growing school.
- Join a connected community: Become part of an established district with deep roots in south Oklahoma City and a shared commitment to student success.
Benefits and Compensation
- Competitive salary commensurate with education and experience.
- Comprehensive benefits program, including the option for 100% employer-paid health insurance for the employee.
- 401(k) retirement program with district contribution.
Terms of Employment
This position is a 195-day contract for the 2027–2028 school year. Employment terms, including salary and benefits, are established by Santa Fe South Charter Schools.
This job description outlines the primary responsibilities and qualifications of the position and is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all duties. Responsibilities may be modified based on student, campus, and district needs.
