Anticipated SY26-27 Temporary School Counselor

CPS; Illinois; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools seeks a professional school counselor to join its educational leadership team. The role focuses on a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate counseling program aligned with CPS REACH, conducting needs assessments, and implementing a strong core curriculum to support all students.

Responsibilities include individual planning, responsive services, indirect support, and system-wide coordination with staff, families, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in school counseling and ISBE PEL with School Counseling Endorsement.
• Evidence of valid state licensure and certification required.
• Experience in a school counseling program is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with CPS REACH Framework for School Counselors.
• Conduct annual needs assessments and data reviews to determine and prioritize student needs.
• Implement the School Counseling Core Curriculum across classroom, large group, and school-wide settings.
• Provide individual student planning activities to support diploma and postsecondary options.
• Provide responsive services to address barriers to academic achievement.
• Provide indirect student support through referrals and collaboration with families and partners.
• Coordinate system-level counseling interventions and professional development.
• Participate in regular professional development.

Education

Master’s degree in school counseling

ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) with School Counseling Endorsement

Job description

Requirements

Master’s degree in school counseling AND current ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Counseling Endorsement

Reports to

Principal

Evaluated by

Principal

PRIMARY FUNCTION

As vital members of the school’s educational leadership team, professional school counselors provide comprehensive, developmental supports within the academic, personal/social, and career domains to ensure that today’s students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. School counselors are uniquely trained professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. School counselors provide proactive leadership to engage all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help ++all++ students achieve success in school^1^.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Create, Implement, and Evaluate a Comprehensive School Counseling Program aligned with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) REACH Framework for School Counselors

^1^: The Framework is aligned to the American School Counselor Association National Model for School Counseling Programs^2^ and outlines a comprehensive counseling program that delivers services equitably to ++all++ students in the building.

Conduct Annual Needs Assessments and Data Reviews to Determine and Prioritize Student Needs

The school counselor will conduct an annual needs assessment and data review to identify critical areas of student need. The school counselor will then create targeted program goals aligned to the schoolwide goals, mission, and vision. This ensures that school counseling services address critical areas of demonstrated need, resulting in improved academic achievement.

Implement the School Counseling Core Curriculum

In order to reach all students, the school counselor will design, conduct, and co-teach learning activities in classroom, large group, and/or school wide settings, based on the academic, career, postsecondary and social/emotional needs of the students so as to facilitate the infusion of school counseling as an integral component of the total education curricula. Activities to support this objective may include: classroom guidance; high school/college/career fairs; high school/college/career tours; grade-level or school-wide team building activities.

Provide Individual Student Planning Activities

In collaboration with students, staff, and families, the school counselor will create an academic plan that ultimately results in the successful obtainment of a diploma and postsecondary option(s) of choice. Activities to support this objective may include: facilitation of completion of the Individual Learning Plan in Naviance; transition activities (i.e orientations, HS app process); events to inform families of test results and their implications for educational planning; advisement to ensure students are on-track to the next grade level or phase in life.

Provide Responsive Services

In collaboration with students, staff, and families, the school counselor will provide responsive services to address students’ barriers to academic achievement. Activities to support this objective may include: facilitation of small groups; structured, short-term, goal-oriented individual counseling sessions; participation in building-level student assistance teams; facilitation of conferences with students, teachers, and families; consultation with teachers, families, and external partners regarding the developmental needs of students; schoolwide support during crisis or emergency situations; participation in IEP/504 Plan teams. Please note that school counselors do NOT provide therapeutic treatment of a mental, emotional, or bodily disorder.

Provide Indirect Student Support

Indirect services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselor’s interactions with others. Activities to support this objective may include: referral of students/families to district and community resources; sharing strategies that support student achievement with parents, teachers, other educators, and community organizations; serving as a student advocate to promote student development within the three domains; serving as the school’s resident expert on student development; reaching out to other experts and stakeholders to obtain information on students’ needs; teaming/partnering/serving on committees and advisory boards; creating formalized partnerships with community based organizations.

Provide System Support

As professionals, leaders, and advocates in the school building, the school counselor will coordinate, conduct and participate in activities that contribute to the effective operation of the school consistent with the approved school counseling program. Activities to support this objective may include: creation of an annual school counseling Evidence-Based Implementation Plan and Annual Agreement to support overall school goals and objectives; creation and delivery of needs assessments to determine the primary needs of students according to a variety of audiences; collection and aggregation of multiple data sources in order to determine need, as well as to progress monitor counseling interventions; protection of planning time for the creation and modification of counseling interventions; coordination of professional development/inservice programs for faculty and staff.

Participate in Regular Professional Development

So as to stay current with evidenced-based practices in the field, the school counselor will actively participate in district, state, and national professional development; participate in professional associations; read professional journals; attend workshops and conferences; engage in continuing education coursework.

References

1: REACH Framework for School Counselors

2: American School Counseling Association National Model for School Counseling Programs

Benefits

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You’ll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves

Reference theChicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overviewor thebenefits handbookfor comprehensive details.