School Counselor

Near North Montessori School•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The School Counselor works closely with the Director of Student Wellness, school administration, teachers, families, and outside mental health professionals to provide developmentally informed, child-centered support to students at all levels. The counselor helps identify and address social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns; strengthens students’ emotional regulation, resilience, and interpersonal skills; and partners with families and educators to promote positive outcomes across school, home, and community settings. The role requires substantial experience working with children and families, strong clinical judgment, and the ability to apply knowledge of child development and mental health in a practical, collaborative educational environment. The School Counselor is an integral part of the Student Support Team and reports to the Director of Student Wellness. The position provides individualized and group-based student support, guidance to families and educators, collaboration with outside professionals, and appropriate responses to student mental health concerns and crises. The counselor maintains documentation, confidentiality, and professional boundaries in accordance with applicable laws, ethical standards, and school policies, and participates in professional development to maintain current knowledge.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, school counseling, or psychology.
At least 3 years of experience providing direct support to children, adolescents, and families.
Experience facilitating social-emotional groups for school-age children.
Experience working with children ages 3–14.
Illinois license as a mental health professional in Clinical Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Educational Psychology, or Marriage and Family Therapy.
Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and emotional maturity.
Demonstrated ability to work well with teams and flexibly in a dynamic work environment.
Advanced understanding of children’s physical, social, and emotional development.
Demonstrated ability to provide a high level of support and assistance to children and families.
Demonstrated analytical skills and intermediate to advanced knowledge of Google Drive.
Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and time management; ability to manage tasks with changing priorities.
Sensitivity, good judgment, and confidentiality when working with sensitive information.
Effective interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills.
Ability to function independently and efficiently in a changing, varied environment with frequent interruptions.
Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on details, including appropriate planning, preparation, and execution of work.
Ability to follow school policies and procedures and seek clarification or support when needed.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of work.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in school settings is preferred.
Bilingual in Spanish and English is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized, developmentally appropriate social-emotional support to students experiencing emotional, behavioral, interpersonal, or adjustment-related challenges.
Help students develop emotional awareness, self-regulation, coping strategies, problem-solving skills, resilience, and positive peer relationships.
Facilitate individual and small-group social-emotional skill-building lessons tailored to students’ developmental and interpersonal needs.
Maintain and support effective use of a designated mindfulness space, helping students manage emotions and return to learning.
Provide school-based, non-clinical student support consistent with school policies, professional scope of practice, and role responsibilities.
Build collaborative relationships with parents and caregivers to support students’ social-emotional development and overall well-being.
Consult with families about observed concerns, developmental needs, behavioral patterns, and strategies for consistency between home and school.
Provide parent education and guidance on child development, emotional regulation, behavior, peer relationships, and mental health.
Help families identify and access community-based mental health services and outside therapeutic resources when additional or specialized care is indicated.
Collaborate, as appropriate and with appropriate consent, with outside therapists, physicians, and other professionals to support coordinated care.
Serve as a resource for teachers, administrators, and faculty on child development, social-emotional learning, behavioral concerns, and mental health.
Participate in Student Support Team meetings, student case consultations, and collaborative planning with school personnel and families.
Develop individualized school-based behavioral and social-emotional support plans and support educators in implementing them.
Respond to student mental health concerns and crises using sound clinical judgment, developmentally appropriate interventions, and established school protocols.
Conduct risk assessments within the scope of professional training and licensure, when applicable, and collaborate with the Director of Student Wellness and school administration on next steps.
Maintain appropriate documentation, confidentiality, and professional boundaries in accordance with applicable laws, ethical standards, and school policies.
Participate in relevant professional development, conferences, workshops, and continuing education related to child mental health, family systems, educational practice, and school-based intervention.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested.
Understand and act in accordance with the school’s mission and values; work effectively with students, families, staff, supervisors, and others.
Prioritize and help ensure student safety throughout the school.
Follow school policies and procedures, seek clarification or support as needed, and actively practice a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Maintain professional skills by pursuing or attending required professional development and training.