School Based Counselor

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$86k-$92k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Make a Meaningful Difference Where it Matters Most — Join Our Behavioral Health Team!

  • Schedule: Full-Time | Salary/Exempt
  • Hiring Salary: $85,924.80 - $92,071.69 per year
  • Position Close Date: September 11, 2026

Puyallup Tribal Health Authority (PTHA) is looking for a compassionate and culturally responsive School Based Counselor to join our Integrated Behavioral Health team. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to build trusted relationships with students and families, provide meaningful behavioral health support, and help young people navigate challenges while building healthier, more successful futures.

What You’ll Do

Working in partnership with Chief Leschi Schools, the School Based Counselor brings behavioral health services directly into the school environment — making support more accessible and creating opportunities for early intervention, prevention, and connection to care.

Provide individual, group, and family counseling services to students and families in a school or clinical setting.

Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments that consider each student’s mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Develop individualized treatment plans with students and families that reflect their goals and voices.

Provide screening, intervention, and support for students experiencing mental health concerns, including suicidal thoughts or behaviors, using evidence-based approaches.

Partner with students, parents/guardians, school staff, healthcare providers, and community resources to coordinate care and support student success.

Identify students who may benefit from additional services and connect them with appropriate internal and external resources.

Provide prevention, outreach, education, and recovery support activities for students, families, and the broader community.

Collaborate with Chief Leschi Schools to identify and support youth who may be at increased risk or in need of additional assistance.

Participate in clinical team meetings, treatment coordination, peer review, and clinical supervision.

Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential clinical documentation in accordance with state, licensing, accreditation, and PTHA requirements.

Build positive, collaborative relationships across PTHA, the school, Tribal community, and other partner organizations.

Incorporate cultural awareness, respect, and a holistic approach into behavioral health services.

Why PTHA?

At PTHA, behavioral health is about more than treating symptoms — it’s about supporting the whole person and strengthening the health and well-being of our community.

As a School Based Counselor, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference early, develop meaningful relationships with youth and families, and work alongside a collaborative team committed to culturally responsive, accessible care.

Perks of the Role

  • Make a Real Impact – Connect patients with timely, life-changing care
  • Meaningful Mission – Contribute to the overall wellness of a tribally operated health organization dedicated to serving the Indigenous community
  • Competitive Compensation – Receive a fair salary that reflects your expertise and the impact of your work

Supportive Team Culture – Join a collaborative and inclusive environment where respect and ethics are core values

Cultural Enrichment – Work in an organization that values and integrates Indigenous traditions, community care, and cultural sensitivity

Stability & Impact – Be part of a long-standing, accredited institution that plays a vital role in community health and development

PTHA Employee Benefits

  • Supportive environment that values a healthy work/life balance
  • Medical/Dental/Vision monthly premiums paid 100% by PTHA for employees (health coverage begins the first of the month following hire date)
  • (13) annual leave (vacation) days + (13) annual sick leave days
  • (18+) annual paid holidays including a birthday holiday
  • 401(k) with annual profit-sharing contributions after (2) years of service

Life and AD&D Insurance Coverage

Have student loans? PTHA is an approved loan repayment site for various student loan programs

If you’re passionate about supporting young people, believe in the power of early intervention, and want your work to have a meaningful impact in the community, we’d love to hear from you.

Join PTHA and help create healthier pathways for the next generation.

In accordance with federal law, Native American Preference in employment applies and job placements are given on a competitive basis, using job related factors.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Counseling or a related field.

Current WA State license or associate license as a Mental Health Counselor, Social Worker, or Marriage and Family Therapist.

At least one (1) year of experience providing direct behavioral health counseling to individuals, families, and/or groups.

  • Current and valid WA State Driver’s License.
  • Experience using electronic health records or practice management systems.
  • Current BLS certification.
  • Experience with prevention and SBIRT programs preferred.

Key Responsibilities

The School Based Counselor provides individual, group, and family behavioral health services directly within the school environment to support student well-being. They also conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and collaborate with school staff and families to coordinate care and provide early intervention.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual counselingGroup counselingTreatment planningCrisis interventionEvidence-based practicesCare coordinationPrevention programming

School Counseling — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 76% are remote, 30% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$89k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $83k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Counselor pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$89k midpoint, that is roughly $4k–$6k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Counselor Jobs

40 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution40 jobs · 13 employers

16
<$95k
4
$95k-105k
9
$105k-115k
9
$115k-125k
2
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks36 jobs · 13 employers

401k / retirement match
97% this job
Sign-on bonus
56%
CME allowance
11%
Loan repayment
6% this job
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

$74k-$126k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Brookfield, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

$115k-$120k
+ 38 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.4this job 3.0
Below most School Counseling listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 32 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Tacoma

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$488k≈ 5.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,740/mo≈ 24% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
29 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Puyallup Tribal Health Authority logo

About Puyallup Tribal Health Authority

Hospitals and Health Care
Tacoma, Washington
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical/Dental/Vision premiums paid 100% by PTHA
13 annual leave days
13 annual sick leave days
18+ annual paid holidays including birthday holiday
401(k) with annual profit-sharing contributions after 2 years
Life and AD&D insurance
Loan repayment site