WOW Counselor II - Roberto Clemente High School (3722)

Youth Guidance; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plans

401k

PSLF eligibility

Wellness program

Job summary

Youth Guidance in Chicago, IL is seeking a WOW Counselor II to deliver school-based group counseling and individualized support to female-identifying students in grades 6–12, promoting emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and positive decision-making.

Drawing on training in social work, counseling, or psychology, you will use trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices to facilitate sessions, provide short-term counseling, and respond to student crises.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related human service field from an approved accredited university is required (Master’s degree preferred).
• LCSW, LCPC, or LPC (or eligibility for clinical licensure).
• Minimum of two years’ experience in school-based, clinical, or youth-serving settings.
• Familiarity with crisis intervention models, evidence-based practices, and SEL frameworks.
• Experience facilitating group counseling sessions and delivering trauma-informed care.
• Experience working in schools or youth-related systems (e.g., DCFS, juvenile detention, mental health facilities).

Responsibilities

• Facilitate 4-5 weekly group counseling sessions using WOW curriculum during the school day.
• Participate in supervision, case consultation, and fidelity coaching.
• Provide clinical and psychosocial assessments as indicated.
• Deliver trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate one-on-one support and short-term counseling.
• Deliver crisis intervention, risk assessments, and safety planning with school teams.
• Coordinate care and aftercare planning with families and school staff.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation in line with program standards.
• Support program implementation by engaging school partners and family events.
• Collaborate with LSC, Parent Programs and Pupil Personnel Support teams.
• Lead or support projects promoting youth development and mental health awareness.

Skills

Group counseling

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work/counseling

Licensure eligibility (LCSW/LCPC/LPC)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic records

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Chicago - Chicago, IL, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Bachelors Degree, Salary Range: $54000.00 - $67000.00Salary, Travel Percentage: On-site, Job Category: Professional Services, Position Summary: WOW Counselor II staff are responsible for delivering school-based group counseling and individualized support to female-identifying students in grades 6–12 to promote emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and positive decision-making. Drawing on their academic training in counseling, social work, or psychology, WOW Counselor II staff use trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices to facilitate group sessions, provide short-term counseling as needed, and respond to student crises. They also play a key role in supporting mental health referrals and helping students navigate personal, social, and academic challenges.

Location: 1147 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Hours: 8am-3:30pm Mon-Fri

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Facilitate 4-5 weekly group counseling sessions utilizing the WOW curriculum during the school day
• Participate in individual and group clinical supervision, case consultation, and fidelity coaching.
• Provide clinical assessments and psychosocial assessments as appropriately indicated by supporting students’ social-emotional development.
• Provide trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate for one-on-one support and short-term individual counseling to students as needed.
• Deliver crisis intervention, risk assessments, and safety planning in collaboration with school-based teams.
• Coordinate care and aftercare planning with families, school staff, and external service providers, including mental health referrals.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation including case notes and risk assessments in accordance with program standards.
• Support program implementation by engaging school partners, providing in-service training, and participating in family engagement events.
• Collaborate with LSC, Parent Programs and the Pupil Personnel Support team
• Lead or support special projects, events, and initiatives that promote youth development, mental health awareness, and leadership.
• Participate in WOW staff development and required curriculum trainings
• Perform public relations assignments as requested
• Other duties assigned

Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Experience/Training

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related human service field from an approved accredited university is required (Master’s degree preferred)
• LCSW, LCPC, or LPC (or eligibility for clinical licensure)
• Minimum of two years’ experience in school-based, clinical, or youth-serving settings.
• Familiarity with crisis intervention models, evidence-based practices, and SEL frameworks.
• Experience facilitating group counseling sessions and delivering trauma-informed care.
• Experience working in schools or youth relates systems, i.e. DCFS, juvenile detention, mental health facilities

Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and engage youth in meaningful therapeutic relationships.
• Strong case documentation and time management abilities.
• Ability to demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a school-based environment.
• Cultural humility and demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Must demonstrate creativity in engaging youth
• Provide a positive team-based approach to treatment and care working with clients
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and electronic record-keeping systems.
• Bilingual highly preferred, fluent in Spanish and English

Benefits

Youth Guidance offers a competitive benefit package for eligible full-time employees including the option to participate in medical, dental, and vision plans as well as short-term disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, pet insurance, 401k, a wellness program and more. You may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Core Competencies

• Communication: Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening
• Client orientation: Recognizes needs of diverse stakeholders and approaches relationships with a service orientation, to ultimately maximize the impact
• Equity mindset: Understands and is committed to goals of equity, consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace
• Growth mindset: Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if the change is required, demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn
• Ownership and quality of work: Effectively manages own work, and work of the team to ensure delivery of high-quality work
• Supervisory skills: Effectively manages and develops others
• Mission drive: Demonstrates commitment to the missing of the organization as a whole and alignment with organization values Leadership Core Competencies (Supervisor & above roles)
• Continuous improvement-minded: Takes initiative to identify and execute strategies and processes to continuously improve one’s leadership to strengthen organization’s overall impact.
• Develops and motivates others: Motivates others and supports their development through strong coaching and mentoring. Effectively stewards self and others through both small- and large-scale change.
• External representation and relationship building: Represents the organization among external stakeholders, and builds strong, trusting relationships with stakeholders
• Leads with vision: Has an inspiring vision for the future of the organization, beyond the status quo, and communicates it effectively; leads with courage and willingness to take risks in service of impact
• Manages with data: Understands data; analyzes data and identifies insights and implications
• Strategic thinking and resource management: Considers the future of the organization proactively and responsively; weighs diverse inputs to inform strategies; identifies innovative opportunities when relevant; makes and communicates decisions that effectively balance tradeoffs between financial sustainability and impact
• Team building: Builds strong relationships with teams and colleagues; fosters effective teams and collaborative interactions

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This job operates in a professional office environment, school setting, and working with the public.
• Occasional local travel

Our Values

At Youth Guidance, we believe that creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected is fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We acknowledge that many systems and institutions intended to support youth do not provide fair treatment or access for everyone. We strive to celebrate the unique qualities of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer. Youth Guidance does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.