Student Wellness Counselor

Near North Montessori School; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision options

Short Term & Long Term Disability

EAP Program & Pet Insurance

Flexible Paid Time off

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

Near North Montessori School in Chicago, IL seeks a School Counselor to join the Student Wellness team. The role collaborates with families, teachers, and outside professionals to support children's social-emotional development and wellbeing.

You will provide individual and group support, develop behavior and coping plans, and serve as a resource on mental health for staff. A Master’s degree and Illinois licensure in a mental health field are required, with 3+ years of school-based experience.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, school counseling, or psychology.
• 3+ years experience providing direct support to children, adolescents and families.
• Illinois Licensed mental health professional in Clinical Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Educational Psychology, or Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with families and staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized, developmentally appropriate social-emotional support to students experiencing emotional, behavioral, interpersonal, or adjustment-related challenges.
• Support students in developing emotional awareness, self-regulation, coping strategies, problem-solving skills, resilience, and positive peer relationships.
• Facilitate individual and small-group social-emotional skill-building lessons that address students’ developmental and interpersonal needs.
• Maintain and support the effective use of a designated mindfulness space, helping students develop strategies for managing emotions and returning to learning.
• Provide school-based, non-clinical student support consistent with the school’s policies, professional scope of practice, and the role’s responsibilities.
• Establish collaborative relationships with parents and caregivers to support students’ social-emotional development and overall well-being.
• Consult with families regarding observed concerns, developmental needs, behavioral patterns, and strategies to promote consistency between home and school.
• Provide parent education and guidance on relevant topics, including child development, emotional regulation, behavior, peer relationships, and mental health.
• Help families identify and access appropriate community-based mental health services and outside therapeutic resources when additional or specialized care is indicated.
• Collaborate with outside therapists, physicians, and other professionals, as appropriate and with appropriate consent, 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 plan implementation.
• 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 to determine appropriate 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 to maintain current knowledge of child mental health, family systems, educational practice, and school-based intervention.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested

Skills

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Flexibility in dynamic environment

Child development knowledge

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Bilingual: Spanish and English

Confidentiality and ethics

Education

Master’s degree in social work, school counseling, or psychology

Job description

Near North Montessori School in Chicago, IL seeks a School Counselor to join the Student Wellness team. The role collaborates with families, teachers, and outside professionals to support children's social-emotional development and wellbeing.

You will provide individual and group support, develop behavior and coping plans, and serve as a resource on mental health for staff. A Master’s degree and Illinois licensure in a mental health field are required, with 3+ years of school-based experience.