School Counselor

Distinctive Schools; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 49,500 - 60,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25+ paid holidays

12 weeks family paid leave

Comprehensive Healthcare

403b match – Fully match up to 3%

Professional development

Gym and wellness discounts

Job summary

Distinctive Schools seeks a School Counselor to join our educational leadership team in Chicago. The role focuses on delivering a comprehensive school counseling program addressing college, career, and personal development for all students.

You will advise students and families, coordinate with staff and community partners, and promote student success through data-informed planning. The position requires a Master’s Degree in School Counseling and a valid school counseling license, with a

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in School Counseling is required.
• Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in IL/MI is required.
• Ability to demonstrate student progress and articulate methods used to achieve results.
• Proficiency with cloud-based software solutions—Google Suite.
• Travel to campuses and trainings as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a comprehensive school counseling program.
• Collaborate with administrators, teachers, families, and community resources.
• Assist students with college, career, and personal goals.
• Provide counseling and support services for students and families.
• Monitor student data and coordinate appropriate interventions.

Skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Data-informed decisions

Education

Master’s Degree in School Counseling

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

Title: School Counselor

Location: CICS Longwood- 1309 W 95th St, Chicago, IL 60643

Reports To: Principal/Assistant Principal

Salary: Starting at $55,000, commensurate with experience

Employee Type: Regular Full Time

Start Date: August 2026

Position Overview

The School Counselor will serve as a vital team member of the school's educational leadership team, providing comprehensive developmental support within academic, personal/social, arts and career domains to ensure that students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. The School Counselor will work with students, administrators, teachers, families, community organizations, and other stakeholders to promote student success and respond to identified student needs. The School Counselor will implement a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses college, career, and personal development for all students, and will be responsible for advising and/or planning with students and families concerning college and career goals.

Responsibilities

Development and Management of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

• Develop and maintain a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling program based on the Developmental Counseling Model for Illinois Schools, current school achievement plan, and current individual school data with a focus on arts integration.
• Communicate goals of the comprehensive school counseling program to administrators, teachers, students, and families.
• Maintain current and appropriate counseling/college/career/arts resources for students and families.
• Be accountable for the implementation and management of the school counseling program.
• Use data to develop comprehensive programs that meet student needs.
• Assist teachers, families, and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding student data.
• Adhere to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.
• Delivery of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program.
• Implement the components of the comprehensive school-approved counseling program in coordination with AIM’s CREATIVE framework and Be You expectations.
• Integrate Distinctive School’s SEL curriculum, assessment and plan into whole class, individual and small group lessons.
• Implement developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented activities to meet student needs and school goals.

Individual Student Planning

• Develop individual college, career, arts, and personal goals and plans for caseload of students.
• Collaborate and assist students and families with high school, scholarship, college entrance, and financial aid applications.

Preventive and Responsive Services

• In collaboration with the Student Support Team, provide counseling, consultation and collaboration, with families, teachers, administrators, and other educational/community resources to caseload students with identified concerns and needs.
• Implement an effective referral and follow-up process for caseload students as needed.
• Monitor caseload students’ academic performance, behavior, and attendance and facilitate appropriate interventions.
• Accurately and appropriately use assessment procedures for determining and structuring necessary individual and group counseling services for Tiers I, II, and III.

Accountability

• Measure and analyze data results of the comprehensive school counseling program activities, and share results as appropriate with relevant stakeholders to help guide program direction and emphasis.

Additional Responsibilities

• Host family meetings to communicate college going processes, financial aid application, scholarship information, etc.
• Support the middle school transition to high school via retention and HS decision making strategies.
• Design staff professional development in coordination with the Student Support Team focused on trauma-informed instruction, SEL, and restorative practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements (minimum)

Education: Master’s Degree in School Counseling.

Qualifications

• Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment (IL or MI).
• Valid School Counselor’s License or equivalent.
• Candidate must be able to demonstrate the academic progress of students under their leadership and articulate the methods used to achieve those results.
• Technology demands: Proficient in cloud-based software solutions—Google Suite.
• Travel to campuses and professional trainings as needed.

Physical Demands

• Majority of work is performed in a general office environment. Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. Also requires participation and attendance at organization-sponsored events and meetings.
• Generally, the job requires 30% sitting, 50% walking, and 20% standing.

Benefits

• 25+ paid holidays, upfront sick leave, and an accrual-based personal time bank.
• 12 weeks family paid leave.
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision).
• 403b match – Fully match up to 3%.
• 403b match – 50% match up to 5%.
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement.
• Gym and wellness discounts.
• And more.

EEO Statement

Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law. Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] or call 773.828.4191.