Executive Director

Reports To: Board of Trustees

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Salary: $200,000 - $250,000/yr commensurate with experience 

Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School

The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges. Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the operational leader of ACTAIS. This role is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission and vision and maintaining the overall health and sustainability of the school.

The ED provides high-level leadership across operations, staffing, and external relationships, while supporting the Academic and Clinical Directors in their respective domains. Responsibilities include oversight of organizational systems, financial management,  fundraising, board relations, and long-term strategic planning.

While the ED maintains awareness of day-to-day campus operations, the role is not responsible for direct management of classroom-level programming or student-specific decisions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive Leadership & Strategic Vision

• Strategic Planning: Lead the Board and senior leadership team in developing 3–5 year strategic outcomes for academics, therapeutic services, and organizational growth.

• Board Relations: Act as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, providing regular updates on fiscal health, program efficacy, and risk management.

• Manage employment agreements, contractor relationships, and compensation structures

• Ensure compliance with California employment law, school policies, and required documentation

2. Budgeting & Financial Management

• Develop and oversee the annual operating budget in alignment with program goals and enrollment projections

• Monitor revenue and expenses, ensuring financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation

• Partner with bookkeeping/accounting to maintain accurate financial reporting, cash flow tracking, and forecasting

• Establish and refine tuition models, fee structures, and financial policies

• Support long-term financial planning, including growth scenarios (e.g., expansion to 50 students, campus development)

• Provide regular financial updates and projections to leadership

3. Fundraising & Development

• Design and lead a fundraising strategy to support program growth, accessibility, and long-term sustainability

• Identify and cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, and community partners

• Support the creation of development materials (pitch decks, program overviews, impact statements)

• Explore and build partnerships with aligned organizations, districts, and funders

• Lead or support fundraising events and campaigns, as appropriate

4. Clinical & Academic Governance

• Mission Alignment: Ensure that all therapeutic interventions (e.g., TF-CBT, DBT, restorative justice) are implemented with fidelity.

• Regulatory Compliance: Oversee top-level compliance with CDE (California Department of Education), SELPA, and healthcare privacy laws (HIPAA/FERPA).

• Quality Improvement: Analyze organization-wide data to identify trends in student progress and implement systemic "best practice" changes.

5. Personnel Management

• Collaborate with Academic and Clinical Directors to address and manage personnel issues, including conflict resolution, performance concerns, and disciplinary processes, in collaboration with relevant directors and the board

• Maintain a healthy organizational culture by monitoring staff morale, workload, and retention

• Oversee staffing structure and capacity planning as the program grows

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree (Required) in School Administration, Clinical Psychology, Social Work (LCSW), or Nonprofit Management. Doctorate preferred.

• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience as a senior executive in leadership (operations/  human resources)  

• Proven track record in fundraising and board governance.

Licensure & Certifications (Preferred)

• Administrative Credentials: CA Special Education Administrative License.

• Clinical Credentials: Licensed Psychologist, LCSW, LMFT, or BCBA-D.

• Specialty: Certifications in Trauma-Informed Care or Executive Leadership in Healthcare.

Essential Skills

• Advanced Communication: Ability to speak confidently to donors, legislative bodies, and the media.

• Crisis Leadership: High-level problem-solving skills for organizational-level crises or legal challenges.

• Financial Literacy: Mastery of complex budget management and restricted revenue streams.

Physical & Schedule Requirements

• Expected to attend board meetings, community events, and evening/weekend fundraisers.

• Travel between school sites and to district/state meetings as required.

Clinical Director

Reports To: Executive Director

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Salary: $180,000 - $200,000/yr commensurate with experience 

Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School

The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges. Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

The Clinical Director provides the vision, leadership, and clinical oversight for the therapeutic components of Actias School. This individual is responsible for the design and delivery of all mental health services, ensuring they are integrated seamlessly with the academic curriculum. Reporting to the Executive Director as a member of the collaborative leadership team, the Clinical Director supervises the clinical team to ensure the highest standard of trauma-informed, evidence-based care for students with complex emotional and behavioral needs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical Leadership & Strategy

• Program Development: Design and implement the overarching clinical model (e.g., ACT, IFS, DBT, CBT, ERP) that defines the school’s therapeutic identity.

• Integrated Care: Collaborate with the Academic Director and Executive Director to ensure that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Clinical Treatment Plans are cohesive and mutually supportive.

• Quality Assurance: Establish and monitor clinical outcomes and key performance indicators to measure program effectiveness.

• Crisis Strategy: Develop school-wide protocols for crisis prevention and de-escalation.

2. Staff Supervision & Professional Development

• Supervision: Provide administrative and clinical supervision to clinicians.

• Training: Identify gaps in clinical competency and curate professional development opportunities (e.g., trauma-informed care, substance abuse counseling, family systems).

• Management: Oversee clinical team meetings to ensure integrated and consistent care.

• Staffing: Recruit, hire, and evaluate the performance of school clinicians.

• Culture Building: Foster a supportive, collaborative, professional environment to mitigate "compassion fatigue" and maintain high staff retention.

3. Administrative & Fiscal Oversight

• Budget Management: Manage the clinical department budget, including staffing costs, therapeutic resources, and external consultancy fees.

• Compliance & Licensing: Ensure the school remains in full compliance with state mental health departments, Department of Education standards, and HIPAA/FERPA regulations.

• Operations: Attend regular operational meetings with the leadership team.

• Admissions: Partner with the Admissions Team to review complex clinical profiles to determine if the school can safely and effectively meet a prospective student’s needs. 

4. Community & Stakeholder Relations

• Family Engagement: Oversee parent support and education initiatives.

• Provide support to clinicians, students, and families to ensure appropriate clinical fit.

• External Liaison: Represent the school to educational consultants, school districts, and community mental health partners.

5. Clinical Practice & Crisis Management

• Clinical Hours: Performs direct clinical service hours as determined by leadership.

• Crisis Management: Oversees crisis management and critically reviews all incident reports.

• Clinical Support: Oversees special duties such as referrals to CPS, psychiatric hospitalizations, or law enforcement involvement.

• Admissions: Conducts intake assessment interviews, collects intake paperwork, and reviews applicant files.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree or Doctorate in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work.

• Licensure: Active, unrestricted clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or Ph.D./Psy.D.) and eligibility to provide clinical supervision.

• Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of clinical experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership/supervisory role.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Current CPR certification and Pro-Act training (training will be provided).

• Valid CA driving license.

• Knowledge of IDEA, IEP regulations, HIPAA, and Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Laws.

• Expertise in adolescent developmental psychology and complex trauma.

• Strong business acumen and the ability to interpret clinical data for board-level reporting.

• Exceptional conflict resolution and public speaking skills.

• Ability to communicate clearly and articulate expectations to classroom teams and students.

Physical & Environmental Demands

• Ability to remain calm and provide leadership during high-stress psychiatric emergencies.

• Ability to attend occasional after school hours meetings or weekend events and be available for clinical emergencies.

• Ability to perform physical safety interventions (e.g., CPI or Pro-ACT) as a last resort.

Outdoor & Experiential Learning Teacher (Science & Farm Program)

Reports To: Academic Director
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
Salary: $80,000 – $100,000 (commensurate with experience)
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School

The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges.

Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated, attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

The Outdoor & Experiential Learning Teacher is a core member of the founding faculty and plays a vital role in helping students re-engage with learning through nature-based, hands-on experiences.

For many Actias students, the outdoor environment is the safest and most accessible entry point back into learning. This role supports students in rebuilding rhythm, confidence, and curiosity through movement, sensory-rich experiences, and meaningful, real-world work.

This position focuses on implementing and facilitating outdoor and farm-based learning experiences/electives, including applied science (biology and environmental science) in collaboration with the Academic Director and consulting program partners. The teacher brings structure, organization, and relational consistency to daily programming.

Key Responsibilities

1. Instruction & Program Implementation

• Facilitate daily outdoor and experiential learning blocks

• Teach applied science concepts through hands-on, real-world experiences (biology, ecology, environmental science, farm-based electives)

• Support delivery of modular science units aligned, where appropriate, with A–G science expectations

• Adapt lessons to meet a wide range of learner readiness, engagement, and regulation levels

2. Outdoor & Farm-Based Learning

• Lead and support activities such as gardening, composting, soil health, and seasonal cycles

• Facilitate basic animal care and land stewardship (as applicable)

• Guide students in project-based and field-based learning experiences

• Maintain organization of materials, tools, and outdoor learning spaces

• Ensure safety protocols are consistently followed

3. Student Support & Regulation

• Use movement, nature, and predictable routines to support student regulation and readiness for learning

• Provide calm, consistent presence for students experiencing anxiety, avoidance, or dysregulation

• Collaborate closely with Support Teachers to ensure students are safe, engaged, and supported

• Create accessible entry points for participation, especially for students re-entering learning

4. Team Collaboration

• Work closely with Academic Director and consulting partners to implement program vision

• Collaborate with Humanities teachers, EF Coach, and clinical team to support whole-student development

• Communicate regularly about student engagement, regulation, and progress

• Contribute to the development of school routines, traditions, and systems during the founding year

5. Organization & Program Support

• Maintain clear weekly plans and materials for outdoor programming

• Help coordinate schedules, supplies, and setup for outdoor and experiential activities

• Support documentation of student participation and progress

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in Biology, Environmental Science, Outdoor Education, Agriculture, or related field

• Experience working with adolescents in educational, outdoor, or experiential settings

• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow through on plans and routines

• Ability to be flexible and responsive in dynamic, student-centered environments

• Physical capacity for outdoor work (standing, walking, lifting up to 25 lbs)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with neurodivergent learners (ADHD, ASD, anxiety, school avoidance)

• Background in trauma-informed, regulation-centered, or therapeutic education

• Experience with gardening, sustainability, or farm-based learning

• Comfort collaborating within a multidisciplinary team

Humanities Teacher

Reports To: Academic Director

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Salary: $130,000 - $150,000/yr commensurate with work experience

Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School
The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges. Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

Humanities Teacher – Foundational Faculty Role

English • World History • U.S. History 

The Humanities Teacher is a cornerstone member of our founding team and will shape the academic and cultural foundation of the Foothill therapeutic micro-school. Because every student progresses through a four-year sequence of English and History with this teacher, this position plays a uniquely influential role in fostering trust, belonging, and academic engagement among learners whose school experiences have often been disrupted.

We are seeking an educator who brings both depth and creativity; A teacher who can design micro-units aligned with A-G requirements, facilitate rich discussion, integrate experiential learning, and meet students where they are while helping them grow toward college-prep expectations.

This role is ideal for someone who loves building something from the ground up. The Humanities Teacher will collaborate closely with our support staff, outdoor education team, and leadership to develop interdisciplinary projects, weave regulation-aware practices into the daily rhythm, and ensure that learning remains relevant, relational, and accessible.

Key elements of the role include:

• Teaching the full humanities program (English 9-12 and World/U.S. History) through flexible, modular micro-units aligned with A-G standards.

• Playing a lead role in building school culture, academic routines, and interdisciplinary projects during our founding years.

• Designing curriculum that integrates writing, critical thinking, socio-emotional awareness, and experiential learning.

• Collaborating closely with support teachers to ensure every student is emotionally and academically held.

• Building strong, trusting relationships with students who may be returning to school after anxiety, trauma, or school refusal.

• Serving as a core voice in shaping the school’s structure, traditions, and long-term academic vision.
  

Key Responsibilities

• Teach bright & highly anxious students English & History through micro-units aligned with A-G credit requirements

• Customize & create curriculum based on student readiness, pacing, and emotional regulation needs.

• Collaborate with Support Teachers who provide 1:1 academic, EF, and regulation support within the classroom.

• Maintain predictable routines, clear expectations, and a relational, trauma-informed classroom culture.

• Monitor progress toward A-G standards and document mastery for transcript purposes.

• Partner with EF Coach to embed executive functioning skill instruction into lessons.

• Participate in weekly team meetings to review student needs, accommodations, and academic plans.

• Communicate with families in a warm, clear, and consistent manner.

Required Qualifications

• B.A in Humanities-related field 

• Educational Therapist or Teaching Credential

• Experience in special education or therapeutic school setting, teaching English or Humanities. 

• Ability to differentiate instruction for twice-exceptional, neurodivergent, and emotionally impacted students.

• Training or willingness to train in polyvagal-aligned, trauma-informed practices.

Ideal Candidate Qualities

• Enjoys working with adolescents

• Calm, grounded presence.

• Thrives in a collaborative, flexible environment.

• Great writer and loves teaching writing

• Passionate about rethinking high school - a creative outside-the-box thinker

Academic Support Teacher

Reports To: Academic Director

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Salary: $65,000 - $80,000/yr commensurate with work experience

Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School

The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges. Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

Actias School is seeking a full-time Academic Support Teacher for an on-site role. The Academic Support Teacher will be responsible for assisting the lead teacher to deliver high-quality instruction to students, supporting their individual learning needs, and fostering a positive and inclusive classroom environment. Support Teachers are the relational core of the Actias model. They provide emotional regulation support, EF scaffolding, 1:1 or small-group academic support, and help maintain a calm, structured learning environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide daily 1:1 co-regulation, prompting, and EF support.

• Support students during transitions, academic blocks, and community time.

• Help implement individualized accommodations and sensory-regulation plans.

• Collaborate with teachers to accommodate assignments and scaffold academic tasks.

• Maintain warm, consistent boundaries and a predictable presence.

• Track daily observations of student engagement, regulation, and progress.

• Support safe, connected participation during outdoor and farm-based learning.
  

Required Qualifications

• AA or BA preferred.

• Experience supporting teens with anxiety, ADHD, ASD, school avoidance, or trauma.

• Ability to remain regulated and grounded during moments of student dysregulation.

• Competency in supporting students with high school-level curriculum

• Training in EF coaching, somatic practices, or therapeutic education is a plus.

Ideal Candidate Qualities

• Warmth, patience, emotional steadiness.

• Natural relationship-builder.

• Comfortable working outside in nature-based programming.

Academic Support Teacher (Math)

Reports To: Academic Director

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Salary: $70,000 - $80,000/yr commensurate with work experience

Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School

The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges. Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

The Math Support Teacher is a core member of the ACTIAS learning team, providing individualized academic and regulation support to a small cohort of students (3–4) engaged in online math courses ranging from Algebra through Calculus.

This role blends academic facilitation, executive functioning coaching, and relational support, ensuring students not only progress in math course skills but also have access to learning in a regulated, supported state. The Support Teacher helps translate online instruction into meaningful, manageable steps while maintaining a calm, connected learning environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide daily 1:1 and small-group support for students engaged in online math coursework (Algebra–Calculus)

• Break down and scaffold math concepts, assignments, and pacing to ensure access and comprehension

• Offer real-time executive functioning support, including planning, organization, task initiation, and sustained attention

• Deliver co-regulation and emotional support during moments of frustration, shutdown, or dysregulation—especially around math-related anxiety

• Help students build math confidence and persistence, reinforcing effort, problem-solving, and flexible thinking

• Collaborate with the Academic Director adapt pacing, supports, and expectations based on student readiness

• Support transitions into and out of math blocks, maintaining structure and predictability

• Implement individualized accommodations, including alternative ways of demonstrating understanding

• Track and communicate daily observations related to engagement, regulation, and academic progress

• Help maintain a calm, focused learning space that balances productivity with emotional safety

• Support participation in broader program elements (community time, outdoor learning) as needed

Required Qualifications

• AA or BA preferred

• Experience supporting adolescents with anxiety, ADHD, ASD, learning differences, or school avoidance

• Comfort supporting high school–level math (Algebra - Calculus)

• Ability to remain grounded, patient, and regulated during student dysregulation

• Strong organizational and communication skills

Preferred Experience (Not Required)

• Background in math instruction, tutoring, or STEM education

• Experience with online learning platforms (e.g., Apex, UC Scout, etc.)

• Training in executive functioning coaching, somatic practices, or therapeutic/relational education

• Familiarity with supporting students with math anxiety or dyscalculia

Ideal Candidate Qualities

• Warm, steady, and emotionally attuned

• Skilled at building trust with teens who may feel discouraged or avoidant around academics

• Able to balance high support with appropriate challenge

• Flexible, observant, and responsive to student needs in the moment

• Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors within a dynamic, non-traditional program 

Academic Support Teacher (Science-Focused)

Reports To: Academic Director
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
Salary: $65,000 – $80,000/year (commensurate with experience)
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School

The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges.

Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated, attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

The Academic Support Teacher (Science-Focused) is a core member of the Actias team and serves as part of the relational and regulatory foundation of the school model.

This role works in close partnership with the Outdoor & Experiential Learning Teacher, who leads hands-on, farm-based, and applied science experiences (Biology and Earth Science in action). The Academic Support Teacher complements this work by supporting students in accessing more traditional science coursework, including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

The position blends academic support, executive functioning scaffolding, and co-regulation, helping students bridge experiential learning with foundational scientific concepts, written work, and college-preparatory expectations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Academic Support (Traditional Science Focus)

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support in traditional science coursework, including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

• Help students understand and engage with core concepts, readings, problem sets, and written assignments

• Scaffold labs, reports, and longer-term projects into manageable steps

• Reinforce connections between hands-on, experiential learning and underlying scientific principles

• Support students in building academic confidence and stamina in more traditional coursework

2. Partnership with Outdoor & Experiential Learning

• Collaborate closely with the Outdoor & Experiential Learning Teacher to align academic content with hands-on experiences

• Help students translate real-world learning (farm, ecology, fieldwork) into scientific language, concepts, and written work

• Support pre-teaching and re-teaching of concepts introduced through experiential learning

• Ensure continuity between applied and traditional science pathways

3. Executive Functioning & Regulation Support

• Provide daily co-regulation, prompting, and executive functioning (EF) support

• Help students initiate, organize, and complete academic tasks

• Support transitions between settings (classroom ↔ outdoor environments)

• Assist students in using individualized regulation and sensory strategies

4. Classroom & Academic Environment Support

• Collaborate with teachers to adapt assignments and materials to meet diverse learner needs

• Help implement accommodations and individualized learning plans

• Support students during science blocks, independent work, and interdisciplinary projects

• Maintain a calm, structured, and predictable learning environment

5. Relational Support & Student Engagement

• Build strong, trusting relationships with students

• Provide a steady, grounded presence during moments of anxiety or dysregulation

• Support students in re-engaging with academic work following periods of overwhelm or avoidance

• Maintain warm, consistent boundaries that support both connection and accountability

6. Observation & Communication

• Track and document daily observations related to student engagement, regulation, and academic progress

• Communicate regularly with academic and clinical team members

• Contribute to team discussions around student support, pacing, and instructional strategies

7. Outdoor & Experiential Support (As Needed)

• Support students during outdoor and farm-based learning blocks as appropriate

• Help bridge participation in experiential settings back to academic expectations

• Ensure students remain engaged, safe, and supported across environments

Required Qualifications

• AA or BA preferred (Science, Education, Psychology, or related field a plus)

• Comfort supporting high school-level science, including Biology and at least introductory Chemistry or Physics

• Experience supporting adolescents with anxiety, ADHD, ASD, school avoidance, or trauma

• Ability to remain calm, regulated, and responsive during student dysregulation

• Strong organizational and follow-through skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Environmental Science

• Experience with executive functioning coaching or academic support

• Familiarity with college-preparatory science expectations (labs, reports, coursework)

• Training in trauma-informed, somatic, or therapeutic educational approaches

• Experience in alternative or non-traditional school settings

Ideal Candidate Qualities

• Warm, patient, and emotionally steady

• Strong relationship-builder with teens

• Able to bring structure and clarity to traditional academic tasks

• Comfortable moving between flexible, experiential learning and structured academic work

• Collaborative and aligned with a team-based teaching model

Occupational Therapist

Reports To: Clinical Director

Classification: Exempt, Part Time (12 hours weekly to start)

Salary: $50.00 - $75.00 per hour commensurate with work experience

Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School

The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges. Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and versatile Occupational Therapist to join our clinical team. In this role, you will go beyond traditional school-based OT by focusing heavily on the intersection of physical environment and mental health. You will work with students individually and in groups to foster self-regulation, develop sustainable coping strategies, and modify both school and home environments to support recovery and independence.

A key component of this role involves supporting students with obsessive-compulsive disorders through guided exposure and response prevention (ERP) strategies, helping them navigate community engagement and daily routines with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Therapeutic Interventions & Skill Building

• Lead individual and group sessions focused on Executive Functioning, Self-Regulation, Nervous System Regulation , and Social-Emotional Learning  

• Teach evidence-based coping strategies (e.g., sensory diets, grounding techniques, mindfulness) to help students manage anxiety and emotional dysregulation.

• Collaborate with the clinical team to facilitate Exposure Therapy and Response Prevention (ERP) for students with OCD, assisting them in facing triggers within a controlled, supportive environment.

2. Environmental Modification & Recovery Support

• Analyze home, school, classroom, and community environments to identify barriers to student success.

• Recommend and implement environmental modifications (sensory rooms, workstation ergonomics, visual schedules) to reduce triggers and increase student autonomy.

• Assist students in establishing and maintaining healthy daily routines that promote emotional stability and "readiness to learn."

3. Independence & Community Engagement

• Develop "Activities of Daily Living" (ADL) programs that prepare students for life after high school, including vocational skills and community navigation.

• Accompany students on community-based outings to practice real-world application of coping skills and social cues.

• Support the transition from home to school by helping students organize their morning routines and physical spaces.

4. Clinical Collaboration & Documentation

• Conduct formal and informal OT evaluations to determine student needs and track progress toward goals.

• Provide consultation to teachers and support staff on how to best support a student’s sensory and regulatory needs within the classroom.

• Maintain clinical notes, progress reports, and data related to interventions.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Master’s or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.

• Licensure: Current CA license (or eligibility) to practice Occupational Therapy.

• Experience: 2+ years of experience, preferably in a pediatric mental health or therapeutic school setting.

• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in mental health OT, including anxiety disorders and OCD.

Skills

• Proficiency in sensory integration and trauma-informed care.

• Knowledge of Executive Functioning coaching.

• Ability to design and lead therapeutic groups.

• Strong "on-your-feet" problem-solving skills to manage student crises.

Physical & Professional Demands

• Ability to work in a nature based environment that requires physical movement 

• A valid Driver’s License (if community-based exposure or home visits are required).

Student Support Counselor

Reports To: Clinical Director

Classification: Exempt, Full Time

Salary: $120,000 - $150,000/yr commensurate with work experience

Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School

The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges. Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

The Student Support Counselor serves as a frontline therapeutic presence, providing immediate emotional and behavioral support to students within our therapeutic high school setting. This role is designed for a proactive, empathetic professional who can assist students in navigating emotional hurdles during the school day, facilitating self-regulation and successful transitions.

Beyond the classroom, this position is a bridge between the home and school environment, providing safe transportation for students and conducting home outreach to support school attendance and engagement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention & Support

• Provide immediate, "in-the-moment" support to students experiencing emotional dysregulation.

• Utilize trauma-informed de-escalation techniques

• Collaborate with the clinical team to implement individual student support plans and interventions.

• Offer a safe space for students to process emotions, practicing active listening and co-regulation strategies.

2. Transportation & Logistics

• Provide safe and reliable transportation for students between school campuses or community-based activities.

• Maintain a therapeutic and supportive environment during transit, recognizing that transitions can be high-stress periods for students.

• Ensure the safety and maintenance of the school vehicle, adhering to all local driving laws and school safety protocols.

3. Home Outreach & Attendance Support

• Conduct home visits as directed by the Clinical Director to assist students who are struggling to transition from home to school.

• Build rapport with families to identify barriers to attendance and provide encouragement/support to the student.

• Act as a professional representative of the school during community and home interactions.

4. Documentation & Collaboration

• Maintain documentation of student interactions, de-escalation incidents, and transportation details.

• Participate in weekly clinical meetings to discuss student progress and therapeutic strategies.

• Communicate effectively with the Clinical Director regarding student safety concerns or significant behavioral shifts.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Education, or a related human services field (preferred).

• Experience: At least 2-4+ years of experience working with adolescents in a therapeutic, alternative education, or residential setting.

• Driving Record: A valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record are mandatory. Must be comfortable operating a multi-passenger vehicle.

• Certifications: Ability to obtain (or current certification in) Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or similar de-escalation training.

Skills

• High level of emotional intelligence and patience.

• Strong boundary-setting skills.

• Ability to remain calm and objective in high-stress situations.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Associate MFT/Social Worker/LCPCC  

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Must be able to move quickly to respond to student needs across the school campus.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where priorities may shift based on student crises.

Clinician - Unlicensed Associate

Reports To: Clinical Director
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
Salary: $80,000-$100,000/year (commensurate with experience)
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Actias School

The Actias School is a therapeutic high school designed for neurodiverse, emotionally complex adolescents who are bright and capable of college-preparatory academics but struggle to access traditional school settings due to anxiety, school avoidance, or other mental health challenges.

Actias offers a personalized academic program with integrated, attachment-based therapeutic support, helping students stabilize, build college readiness (academically, socially, and emotionally), and transition to less restrictive settings while staying connected to their families and communities.

Position Summary

We are seeking a dedicated Clinical Associate (AMFT, ASW, APCC) or Clinical PhD/PsyD student to join our founding team. Under the direct supervision of our Clinical Director, you will play a pivotal role in the lives of our students and their families. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of education and mental health, providing holistic care that supports both emotional well-being and academic success. Our program has a large outdoor component, so interest in eco-therapy and a personal connection to the outdoors is important. 

Key Responsibilities

• Individual Therapy: Provide evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming individual therapy to students, addressing challenges such as anxiety, school refusal, social-emotional regulation, and executive functioning.

• Group Therapy: Design and facilitate therapeutic groups focused on peer connection, social skills, research-informed coping strategies, and academic resilience.

• Family Therapy & Support: Partner with families to navigate systemic challenges, improve communication, and ensure a cohesive support plan between home and school.

• Case Management: Act as the primary liaison for a caseload of students, coordinating with outside providers (psychiatrists, therapists, educational consultants) and the Actias academic team to ensure integrated care.

• Classroom Integration: Collaborate with Actias teachers to support students in the "moment of need," helping them apply regulation tools within their academic environment.

• Documentation: Maintain timely and professional clinical notes, treatment plans, and progress reports in compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduate from or current student in a Clinical PhD/PsyD program or a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, or Professional Clinical Counseling. 

• Registration: For Master’s level, must be registered with the BBS as an Associate (AMFT/ASW/APCC). For Doctoral students, must be eligible for practicum or externship placement.

• Clinical Interest: A strong desire to work with neurodivergent youth and adolescents navigating mood and anxiety disorders.

• Mindset: Adaptable, empathetic, and collaborative. You should feel comfortable working in a dynamic school setting rather than a traditional clinic

• Bonus Skills: Experience with CBT, DBT, ACT, IFS, iCBT or Executive Function coaching is highly preferred.

What We Offer

• Expert Supervision: Weekly individual supervision provided by our Clinical Director, focused on your professional growth and hours toward licensure.

• Collaborative Culture: The chance to be a "founding" member of a school that is redefining the student experience.

• Professional Development: Training in specialized modalities for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional (2e) learners.