Lower School Counselor

Aspen Country Day School

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen Country Day School is seeking a Lower School Counselor in Early Childhood through Fourth Grade. The Lower School Counselor will be responsible for revising and designing a comprehensive program that inspires students as they grow socially and emotionally, teaching social and emotional classes, and providing guidance to students and families throughout the Lower School educational journey.

This Preschool-Eighth Grade school is known for its intentional approach to challenging and nurturing children as they build confidence, resilience, and joy in learning. Vibrant academic, arts, and outdoor programs led by dedicated teachers give students a solid foundation for lives of meaning and purpose. At its campus in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the school welcomes approximately 300 students from throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. It is accredited by the Association of Colorado Independent Schools and a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. Visit www.aspencountryday.org to learn more.  

Salary 

The wage rate for this position will include a salary range of $60,000 - $80,000 and will be commensurate with experience. 

This is a full-time position with health, dental, vision, disability insurance and retirement plan offerings. 

Essential Functions 

• Provides guidance and coaching to teachers, including implementation of social-emotional learning in general academic settings
• Implements instructional strategies and uses clear and consistent classroom management in concert with the school mission, CASEL, and the American School Counselor Association.
• Helps children with organization, problem solving, and conflict resolution to support individual and academic needs
• Demonstrates confidential and ethical counseling standards
• Supervises indoor and outdoor play during break, recess, and lunchtime
• Participates in ski days and Outdoor Education trips in fall and spring 
• Adheres to guidelines, procedures, and policies in the Employee Handbook
• Communicates professionally and effectively with parents, teachers, administrators and colleagues, this includes in person, email and phone
• Assists with fall classroom move in and spring move out
• Uses school platforms (Blackbaud and ParentSquare) for learning management, parent communication, and professional resources
• Attends required in-service days, meetings, and training sessions as designated
• Possesses  a professional desire to work in the classroom and develop or continue to develop teaching and counseling skills, as well as the ongoing work of social/emotional development of children

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in school counseling, social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field preferred
• Experience with social-emotional teaching/counseling young children
• Demonstrated commitment to teaching and learning in a progressive, dynamic, 21st century school community
• Ability to work in a collegial and highly collaborative environment
• A growth mindset, active sense of humor, warm personality, and excellent organizational and communication skills

Expectations 

This is a full-time position that begins in August of the 2026/2027 academic year.  The standard schedule is 7:45am to 3:45pm, with a weekly faculty meeting until 4:30, although team planning meetings may require additional time. Additionally, all faculty members share daily supervision duties at the school. Occasional evening and weekend commitments are required throughout the school year.

NOTE:  This position requires a pre-employment criminal background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Physical Demands

• Visual Acuity: Ability to bring objects into focus.
• Balancing: Maintaining equilibrium.
• Bending: Bending or position oneself to move an object from one level to another.
• Carrying: transporting or moving an object.
• Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending stationary objects.
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Performing work through using two or more body parts or   other devices.
• Gripping/Grasping: Ability to apply pressure with fingers and palm.
• Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, through use of hands, fingers, or other means.
• Hearing: Perceiving and comprehending the nature and direction of sounds.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee or knees
• Lifting: Moving objects weighing no more than 10 pounds from one level to another.
• Pushing/Pulling: Ability to use upper extremities to exert force in order to press, draw, drag or haul objects in a sustained motion.
• Reaching: Extending the hands and arms or other device in any direction.
• Repetitive motions: Making frequent or continuous movements.
• Sitting: Remaining in a stationary position.
• Standing: Ability to sustain position for a period of time.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
• Talking: Communicating ideas or exchanging information.
• Walking: Ability to move to traverse from one location to another.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

This job description is designed to indicate the general nature of the work. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

To Apply

If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. 

Aspen Country Day School provides equal employment opportunities to applicants without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law. The school's statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion is HERE.

ABOUT ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

St. Anne’s Episcopal School is a vibrant, independent, preschool-8th grade co-educational school located in the heart of the Denver metro area, serving approximately 450 students. Our school culture fosters a sense of belonging and community, builds character, and pursues academic scholarship, all rooted in our values of curiosity, humility, faith, compassion, and service. We are a supportive community that provides a program where students can thrive academically, athletically, spiritually, artistically, emotionally, and socially.   We build character and integrity upon a spiritual, moral, and ethical foundation and strive to foster the development of people who make significant and lasting contributions to society.

MISSION

Grounded in our founding values, we cultivate a community of curious and compassionate learners who are inspired to serve and enrich our world.

VALUES

Community, Curiosity, Faith, Compassion, Humility

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Controller is a key financial steward of the school and a critical partner to the Chief Financial & Operating Officer (CFOO). This role oversees the integrity of all accounting operations, tuition billing, payroll, accounts payable, and cash management while contributing to budget development, financial analysis, system improvements, and audit coordination. The ideal candidate brings strong technical accounting expertise, excellent organizational skills, and a collaborative approach in a small, high-performing business office.

REPORTING STRUCTURE:

• Reports to CFOO

• Key member of a three-person Business Office (CFOO, Controller, HR Director)

• Collaborates closely with Admissions, Development, Facilities, and Leadership Team

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FINANCIAL & GENERAL ACCOUNTING

• Maintain and oversee general ledger accuracy in Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT; ensure compliance with GAAP and school policies.

• Prepare monthly reconciliations, financial schedules, and support the CFOO with financial reporting and budgeting.

• Support annual financial and 403(b) audits by preparing workpapers, schedules, and documentation.

• Recommend process and system improvements to strengthen controls and efficiency.

TUITION BILLING & FACTS MANAGEMENT 

• Manage all aspects of tuition billing through FACTS, including new enrollments, re-enrollment deposits, contract changes, and financial aid adjustments.

• Coordinate with Enrollment Management to ensure clean account setup and accurate billing throughout the year.

• Lead monthly reconciliation of tuition, fees, and deposits to accounting records.

CASH RECEIPTS & REVENUE TRACKING

• Record and reconcile all non-tuition receipts (donations, program income, event revenue, auxiliary services, etc.).

• Collaborate with Development, Auxiliary Programs, and Finance staff to ensure correct classification of earned and contributed revenue.

PAYROLL & EMPLOYEE ACCOUNTING

• Manage and process monthly payroll through ADP Workforce Now, ensuring accuracy of compensation, deductions, and benefits.

• Maintain system records, monitor retirement plan contributions, and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & VENDOR MANAGEMENT

• Oversee invoice processing, employee reimbursements, purchasing card submissions, and vendor payments.

• Maintain vendor records, ensure proper documentation and controls compliance, and support 1099 reporting.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field

• Minimum 5 years of progressive accounting experience

• Experience managing general ledger, payroll, AP/AR, reconciliations, and reporting

• Demonstrated ability to own processes in a small accounting team

• High levels of integrity, confidentiality, and attention to detail

PREFERRED:

• CPA certification

• Experience in nonprofit, independent school, or mission-driven organization

• Familiarity with Blackbaud Financial Edge, FACTS Tuition Management, ADP Workforce Now

• Experience improving systems and implementing internal controls

• Strong communication skills and ability to explain financial matters to non-financial stakeholders 

WHY JOIN ST. ANNE’S?

• Work within a values-based, mission-driven community committed to character, care, and service

• Make a lasting impact as the financial backbone of the school

• Enjoy a small-business-office environment with meaningful collaboration

• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional development support

St. Anne’s Episcopal School is committed to creating a supportive learning environment where all individuals are valued for their unique contributions and are able to achieve their highest potential. We strongly believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is the best learning environment for our students and prepares them to live, work, and thrive in an increasingly global and multicultural community. We reject all prejudice, particularly those based on race, national and ethnic origin, religion, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical characteristics.

St. Anne’s believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, ancestry, disability genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws.  The school’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotional opportunities, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

SALARY RANGE & BENEFITS 

$90,000 - $105,000 Annually  (Commensurate with Experience and pro-rated for length of assignment)

St. Anne’s offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage, 403(b) retirement inclusion, long-term disability, life insurance, free lunch and tuition assistance.