Founded in 1994, PSCS is a small, independent middle and high school located in the Chinatown-International District of Seattle. PSCS is committed to learning more about this neighborhood we thrive in, and to centering all those intentionally excluded perspectives in curriculum and community conversations.
With Critical Race Theory framing our approach, community-centered education prioritizes the perspectives of our global majority students, staff, and families while we offer students opportunities to take increasing responsibility for their own education.
Puget Sound Community School (PSCS) invites the participation of all people, welcoming students, teachers, families, and volunteers of any racial, national, religious, or ethnic origin, from all backgrounds, belief systems, orientations, and expressions. PSCS is actively working to analyze and account for power, positionality, intersectionality, and oppression. Lived experience will be considered/prioritized during the interview process.
Current Job Openings
We do not have any job openings at this time. Please check back here occasionally for new opportunities. Feel free to send in materials you think we should keep on file for the next time we have openings.
PAST Employment Opportunities
Current Opening
The PSCS staff seeks to hire a part-time facilitator to teach sex ed, healthy relationships, self care, and health that validates a broad range of gender expressions, and multiple orientations and abilities, grounded in Critical Race Theory and Abolitionist Teaching. This educator will join a staff actively working to teach truer history and to represent perspectives that have been purposely left out of lessons in schools. We do our best to formulate positions that derive maximum contribution and meaning from every employee’s efforts.
Roles & Responsibilities
Supervised by the Director of Program, members of the PSCS Teaching Staff work closely with each other, the Administrative Team, and the school community to teach and learn from each other. Staff members are expected to remain flexible to participate in activities not directly specified below. This teacher will
- Create, build, and deliver responsive curricula that allow high school students opportunities to fully inhabit themselves as healthy, aware, knowledgeable young people who grow into empowered adults.
- facilitate and/or co-facilitate
- classes, field trips, Intensives, seminars, and other student offerings
- the development of each term’s schedule
- specialty weeks & annual school retreat
- access to appropriate learning materials for students
- support students when requested and as scheduling permits
- collaborate to administer discretionary and programmatic funds
- document student progress through the transcript process
- facilitate and/or co-facilitate
- Contribute to PSCS community life.
- co-create and attend
- check-in, check-out, community hour, seminars, & retreats
- staff meetings and in-services
- at least three evening parent meetings/school year
- community-wide events, open houses, etc
- support parent/family participation in school and community events
- model ongoing personal and professional development
- co-create and attend
Qualifications
- Certified teacher, certification plan desired, and/or Master’s in Education and/or equivalent experience
- Sex Education certificate
- Experience working with young people and facilitating classes
Commitment to liberation through abolitionist teaching
Salary and Benefits: This is a salaried, exempt position, calculated at .525 FTE, or 52.5%. The annual compensation for the position is $35,000* for a 10 month agreement, which is paid in twelve (12) monthly installments. Benefits include excellent employer-paid medical and dental insurance, employer-paid retirement, Paid Time Off, tuition remission, close working team.
Application Requirements: In lieu of a traditional cover letter, please submit to pscs@pscs.org a one page document, addressed to the Hiring Committee, that explains how your work and lived experiences led you to this moment and prepared you to be successful in this role with PSCS. Please include example(s) of relationship-building or stewardship that you are especially proud of and what made them meaningful.
*All PSCS staff are paid on a scale relative to a full-time, 12 month salary of $80,000.
Current Opening
We seek to hire a full-time facilitator able to build programs and teach STEM subject areas grounded in Critical Race Theory. This educator will join a staff actively working to teach truer history and to represent perspectives that have been purposely left out of lessons in schools. We do our best to formulate positions that derive maximum contribution and meaning from every employee’s efforts.
Roles & Responsibilities
Supervised by the Director of Program, members of the PSCS Teaching Staff work closely with each other, the Administrative Team, and the school community to teach and learn from each other. Staff members are expected to remain flexible to participate in activities not directly specified below. This teacher will
- Construct a math/science program at PSCS.
- create, build, and deliver responsive curricula that allow high school students opportunities to fulfill the WA state graduation requirements and allow middle school students to prepare for high school
- collaborate to rebuild a schedule that allows students regular math practice
- facilitate and/or co-facilitate
- classes, field trips, Intensives, advisory, seminars, and other student offerings
- the development of each term’s schedule
- specialty weeks & annual school retreat
- access to appropriate learning materials for students
- support students when requested and as scheduling permits
- collaborate to administer discretionary and programmatic funds
- document student progress through the transcript process
- Reimagine Advising at PSCS
- collaborate with a new Counselor, the entire staff, and students to build an Advising role that serves student and staff needs
- meet with a smaller number of students (Advisees) regularly
- help Advisees set goals
- advocate for Advisees at scheduling mapping, staff meeting, and other settings
- assist and encourage Advisee use of independent study
- track Advisees’ activities
- gather information about Advisees from other staff and volunteers
- coordinate parent conferences for Advisees
- reflect/report the growth of each Advisee
- Contribute to PSCS community life.
- co-create and attend
- check-in, check-out, community hour, seminars, & retreats
- staff meetings and in-services
- at least three evening parent meetings/school year
- community-wide events, open houses, etc
- support parent/family participation in school and community events
- model ongoing personal and professional development
- co-create and attend
Qualifications
- Certified teacher, or certification plan desired, and/or Master’s in Education and/or equivalent experience
- Experience working with young people and facilitating classes
- Commitment to liberation through abolitionist teaching
Salary and Benefits: This is a salaried, full-time, exempt position. The annual compensation for the position is $66,667* for a 10 month agreement, which is paid in twelve (12) monthly installments. Benefits include excellent employer-paid medical and dental insurance, employer-paid retirement, Paid Time Off, tuition remission, close working team.
Application Requirements: In lieu of a traditional cover letter, please submit to pscs@pscs.org a one page document, addressed to the Hiring Committee, that explains how your work and lived experiences led you to this moment and prepared you to be successful in this role with PSCS. Please include example(s) of relationship-building or stewardship that you are especially proud of and what made them meaningful.
Current Opening
The Counselor at Puget Sound Community School (PSCS) is responsible for supporting the mental and emotional health of students and the broader community. The Counselor is a member of the collaborative staff and is accountable to the Administrative Team. While expected to remain flexible to participate in programs and activities not directly specified below, the Counselor
I. Develops and implements an onsite, formal, comprehensive counseling and guidance program that facilitates learning for students of all ages by offering personal, social, and life path counseling* according to the goals, objectives, and policies established jointly by the Staff and Board in support of the PSCS mission.
- Builds structures to support student health
- Counsels students individually and in small groups to help them understand, overcome, and resolve academic, behavioral, social and emotional concerns
- Implements an effective referral and follow-up process by referring students to appropriate program specialists or community agencies
- Collaborates to provide support to families
- Collaborates with parents/guardians and school staff to assist students with educational and career planning
- Initiates and conducts parent discussion and training sessions when appropriate
- Coordinates collaboration with external student/family support systems
- Coordinates the collaborative efforts of staff toward student support
- Initiates, supervises, and/or assists in the development of in-service training programs for school personnel
- Assists the school staff in providing students with orientation to new school experiences, i.e. transition from middle school to high school
II. Administers the mental health program according to best practices, and in alignment with the professional standards and requirements of WA state.
- Ensures compliance with state requirements
- Holds valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate certificate for School Counselor
- Possesses a Master’s degree in counseling (or equivalent)
- Completes successful Washington State Patrol check and FBI Fingerprint Clearance Report and Disclosure Statement
- Initiates and maintains records, confidential information, and reports as required by professional standards and applicable law
- Collaborates to limit the liability of PSCS
III. Helps foster and support a diverse, broad-based, and healthy school community.
- Models and promotes the plurality of good character
- Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings and in-services as agreed upon
- Participates in community-wide events as schedule permits
- Represents the school at various regional, state, and national associations relative to the role of Counselor
- Attends appropriate workshops, seminars, and trainings
- Participates in professional development activities
- Consults in the admissions process to ensure supportable fit of potential students and families
- Performs appropriate tasks as determined through collaboration in relation to the responsibilities listed above
- Other duties as assigned
Personal/social counseling includes services that lead the student toward being a healthy individual who is a positive decision maker, effective communicator, and a productive contributor to a diverse democratic society. Guidance on one’s life path includes academic planning that prepares the student for academic success and the skills and knowledge to meet their educational and career goals. The student is guided toward being a life-long learner, critical thinker, collaborative worker, and an active community participant.
Salary and Benefits: This is a salaried, exempt position, calculated at .525 FTE, or 52.5%. The annual compensation for the position is $35,000 for a 10 month agreement, which is paid in twelve (12) monthly installments. Benefits include excellent employer-paid medical and dental insurance, employer-paid retirement, Paid Time Off, tuition remission, close working team.
Application Requirements: Along with your resume, in lieu of a traditional cover letter, please submit to pscs@pscs.org a one page document that explains how your work and lived experiences led you to this moment and prepared you to be successful in this role with PSCS. Please include example(s) of relationship-building or stewardship that you are especially proud of and what made them meaningful.
Puget Sound Community School | Director of Program Job Description | 2022-2023
The Director of Program is one of three collaborative directors at PSCS. The Director of Program is free, within constraints, to create the role to reflect their strengths and the team of collaborators. The Director of Program works closely with the Directors of Community Engagement and School Operations, as well as the Teaching Staff, and reports to the Board of Trustees. The ultimate responsibility for the philosophy, policy, and direction of PSCS is held collaboratively among these constituents. The Director of Program is collaboratively responsible for the delivery of student and family programs. While expected to remain flexible to participate in programs and activities not directly specified below, this Director will hold:
Accountability for the short- and long-range planning, implementation, and delivery in the following areas:
Teaching Staff Support
- Collaborating with staff to coordinate and articulate the philosophy and pedagogy of the school
- Supporting teaching staff members and delivery of the program
- Orienting new students and families to PSCS to create and broaden the institutional culture
- Maintaining a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in education
- Facilitating parent education in program and pedagogy
- Collaborating with staff to coordinate courses to ensure graduates meet WA State graduation requirements
- Scheduling
- Collaborating with staff to coordinate teaching staff curriculum
- Facilitate schedule mapping
- Partner to edit and publish the course blogs each term
- Collaborating with staff to coordinate Orientation/Foundations weeks
- Collaborating with staff to coordinate community service
- Coordinating and managing adjunct teachers
- Coordinating and managing volunteer facilitators
Collaborative responsibility for the short- and long-range planning, implementation, and delivery in the following areas:
Governance
- Training Board members to facilitate and implement the mission, philosophy, and programs of PSCS
- Ensuring ongoing Board development
- Partnering to develop programmatic, organizational, and financial plans with the Board
- Providing recommendations to the Board in formulating and revising policies
- Partnering to execute legal documents and to conduct official correspondence
- Ensuring sound financial practices
- Planning mission-appropriate strategies to ensure the future viability of PSCS
- Coordinating the involvement and service of the Board of Trustees
Student/Employee development
- Developing policies and procedures
- Planning and maintaining official records and documents, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
- Ensuring proper HR functions and practices are in place
- Promoting and supporting a diverse staff
- Recruiting, hiring, developing, and retaining paid staff and volunteers
- Partnering regarding the selection, evaluation, and dismissal of students to ensure sustainable enrollment
- Partnering to facilitate student and staff meetings
- Keeping students/teacher records
- Monitoring and tracking student/teacher attendance
- Maintaining student/family forms
- Responding to emergent student issues
- Partnering to perform formal and informal investigations
- Partnering to build and implement a culture of Restorative Justice
- Partnering to communicate with parents/guardians to ensure students are well served
- Ensuring staff availability
- Staffing the front desk
- Monitoring and supporting the daily needs of students and staff
Health & Safety
- Promoting physical and mental health for all community members
- Ensuring COVID safe practices
- Maintaining and improving the site
Collaborative input and decision-making regarding the short- and long-range planning, implementation, and delivery in the following areas:
Communications
- Advocating for the school, its mission and philosophy in larger professional and public communities
- Publicizing school activities, programs, and goals
- Representing PSCS at relevant meetings and through other public relations activities
- Building and maintaining cooperative relationships with community groups
Salary and Benefits: $80,000/year, employer-paid medical and dental insurance, employer-paid retirement, generous Paid Time Off, tuition remission, close working team.
Qualifications:
- Masters in Education or equivalent life and/or lived experience
- Experience working with young people
- Experience in classroom facilitation
- Entrepreneurial impulse and mindset
Please email your resume and introduction letter to pscs@pscs.org with the subject line: For the PSCS Hiring Committee.
Position Summary: Supervised by the Director of Program, the Math Focus Adjunct Teaching Staff position will work with the school community to implement a math educational program for students that supports the mission and philosophy of PSCS. When requested and as scheduling permits, this position is flexible to participate in programs and activities not directly specified below.
Application Requirements: In lieu of a traditional cover letter, please submit a one page document that explains how your work and lived experiences led you to this moment and prepared you to be successful in this role with PSCS. Please include example(s) of relationship-building or stewardship that you are especially proud of and what made them meaningful.
Responsibilities:
- Facilitate a high level of differentiated math instruction in a school focused on supporting students in becoming self-directed.
- Collaborate with other staff to address the needs of the whole student.
- Teach Algebra 1, Algebra 2, MS Integrated Math, and HS Integrated Math. Consult with the Director of Program and student’s Advisors to address additional student needs.
- Integrate the teaching of executive functioning skills into classes.
- Create a supportive environment of belonging.
- Supply class descriptions, student comments, and credit reporting upon each term’s conclusion.
- Act in loco parentis with regard to student progress and confidentiality.
- Engage math explorations through a social justice lens.
- Engage with community members about power and positionality with regard to race, gender, and privilege.
Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree. Prefer candidates who have experience teaching in a progressive school environment or outside of school programs.
- Experience working with middle/high school students.
- Exemplary written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Excellent executive functioning.
- Strong collaborative planning skills.
- Desire to work in a progressive school environment.
- Flexibility in meeting the needs of a wide range of learners.
- Understanding of one’s own position with regard to race, gender, patriarchy, power hierarchies, etc.
Schedule and Compensation:
This is an adjunct teaching position, 10 hours a week, with days and times to be scheduled each term. Compensation is $15,000.
Puget Sound Community School invites the participation and employment of all people, welcoming students, teachers, families, and volunteers of any racial, national, religious, or ethnic origin, from all backgrounds, belief systems, orientations, and expressions.