School Counselor, Grades 406

Title: School Counselor for Grades 4-6

Status:  Full Time

Reports to: Director of Upper School

Classification:  Full-Time, Exempt

Start Date:  November 2026

About Oak Hill:

Oak Hill School (www.oakhillschool.org)  is a preK-6th coeducational, non-denominational independent school in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1961, Oak Hill School provides a strong, child-centered academic program in a nurturing, Christian environment. Oak Hill School is committed to the intellectual, social, and spiritual growth of each of its 560 students.

Mission: It is the Oak Hill School mission to build character and integrity in a Christian environment for a lifetime of learning and service. This faculty member will join a nurturing, Christian community committed to the School’s mission and vision for building a diverse and inclusive environment where all children learn, grow, and thrive.

Summary: 

The Oak Hill School seeks a warm, thoughtful, and collaborative School Counselor to support students in grades 4–6 during a pivotal stage of academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth. This role partners closely with students, families, and faculty to ensure that each child is known, supported, and encouraged to grow into their full, God-given potential.

Job-Related Responsibilities

• Support students as they navigate the academic, social, emotional, and developmental joys and challenges of upper elementary school

• Provide individual and small-group counseling to support student well-being, relationships, self-regulation, and resilience

• Use a variety of assessment tools, observations, and collaboration to inform student support plans and interventions

• Design and deliver classroom guidance lessons that promote social-emotional development, including friendship skills, teamwork, emotional regulation, empathy, conflict resolution, and responsible decision-making

• Manage advisory program for 5th and 6th grades and morning meetings for fourth grade

• Coordinate and lead special student groups

• Partner with teachers to support student success

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records related to student support and counseling

• Collaborate with families to support student growth, communication, and care

• Promote a positive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate school culture
  
  

Specific Job-Related Responsibilities

• Serve as a counselor for students in grades 4–6, supporting academic readiness, character development, and social-emotional growth

• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and learning support staff to identify and support student needs

• Design and facilitate social-emotional learning lessons, small groups, and classroom support as appropriate

• Support students in times of transition, challenge, conflict, or stress

• Participate in grade-level meetings, student support meetings, and parent conferences

• Supervise and support students in classrooms and other school settings as needed

• Participate in class outings, field experiences, and overnight trips, supporting student safety and community building

• Contribute positively to the life of the school community through participation in meetings, events, and professional development

• As needed, assess student well-being when safety concerns emerge, helping guide supportive responses, safety planning, and referrals

Professional Responsibilities

• Nurture the social, emotional, and spiritual growth of each student

• Communicate clearly, promptly, and professionally with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators

• Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive student and school information

• Learn and implement best practices in counseling and child development through ongoing professional development

• Actively participate as a member of grade-level and interdisciplinary teams

• Serve as a positive advocate for the school, both internally and externally
  
  

Skills and Characteristics

• A commitment to the mission and vision of Oak Hill School and to building a diverse, inclusive community that reflects God’s love as expressed in the Christian tradition

• A strong understanding of child development—academically, socially, and emotionally—and a passion for supporting upper elementary students

• Comfort in sharing one’s faith through leading morning devotion and group prayer with students

• A student-centered approach grounded in empathy, curiosity, and relationship-building

• The ability to work collaboratively with a positive spirit and a sense of humor

• A growth mindset demonstrated through reflection, adaptability, and openness to feedback

• Excellent communication, organizational, and time-management skills

• Enthusiasm for building strong partnerships with students, colleagues, and families

Physical Demands:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. A request for reasonable accommodations must be submitted to the HR department. 

Work for this position will take place primarily in a classroom. The physical demands of this position include lifting or carrying up to 10 pounds often, up to 25 pounds regularly, and up to 50 pounds rarely; crawling rarely; climbing/balancing and kneeling intermittently; pushing/pulling and crouching regularly; reaching, sitting, walking, standing, bending, and stooping often. To perform this job the person must be able to talk, hear, stand, sit, and/or walk for extended periods of time; and must possess normal manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. The position may require working in various environmental conditions, including hot, cold, or outdoor settings.

Nothing in this job description restricts the School’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects the School’s assignment of essential functions. It does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time. 

Educational Background and Work Experience

• Master’s degree in School Counseling, Counseling, Social Work, or related field

• Experience working with children

• Understanding of child development and social-emotional learning

Preferred

• School counseling license or LPC/LMSW credentials

• 3+ years of school-based counseling experience

• Experience with support systems