Counselor

Overview

The counselor has responsibilities including counseling students on a drop-in basis, providing outside resources for students and families, assessing needs and developing peer support group programs, assisting with the coordination of the sophomore navigation program, assisting in the training of Residence Life staff with appropriate counseling skills, and providing support for student leadership development. An Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCPC or LCSW) is a requirement of the position. A Professional Educator License (PEL) is not required. The Counselor will be supervised and evaluated by the Coordinator of School Counseling.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive teaching and learning environment. Through a model of Equity and Excellence, IMSA has committed to advancing equity in STEM education and representation and creating a diverse, inclusive community of global citizens who can realize their full potential, and execute our mission to advance the human condition.

This Equity and Excellence Model is the intentional integration of Cultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Equity-Minded Frame, Excellence and Inclusion into every facet of the Academy, with the understanding that it is an active and ongoing process involving structures, processes and people and not an isolated initiative.

This position will support IMSA's Diversity work by ensuring the delivery of quality, equitable, and inclusive constituent-centered support while promoting and maintaining an inclusive work environment and culture that embraces the diversity of people and perspectives collaborating at IMSA to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition.

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Support the emotional, psychosocial and overall psychological wellbeing of the students
• Assist students in adjusting to the rigors of the IMSA academic and social environment, including providing solution-focused therapy, crisis management and crisis intervention and advocating for students in times of stress with staff, faculty and other students.
• Assess and refer students and families to appropriate resources
• Conduct presentations, centered on issues relevant to gifted adolescents
• Advocate for students in times of stress with staff, faculty and other students
• Meet with the student and parent for academic concerns, mental health issues, residential or behavioral concerns, and issues originating at home
• Consult with Resident Counselors and other staff members regarding student issues
• Train Resident Counselors and staff members on various issues related to student mental, emotional and social health
• Mandated reporting for child abuse and neglect
• Conduct brief group counseling for special interest groups
• Coordinate and participate in various programs such as Sophomore Seminar and the Senior Transitional Education Program (STEP)
• Communicate with parents when a student experiences serious psychological problems
• Collaborate with Student Affairs team members and Academy partners to support students’ social and emotional needs
• Perform psychosocial screenings on students of concern, and refer students for external assessment when needed
• Serve on various department and community-wide teams
• Establish relationships with local mental health agencies and professionals
• Attend staff meetings including Student Affairs department and residence hall meetings
• Complete required documentation and administrative tasks
• Assist with divisional and campus-wide events such as Preview Day, Graduation, Carnival, Convocation, Registration, Welcome Week and Orientation, as assigned by the Chief Student Affairs Officer.
• Contribute to the overall success of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy’s strategic plan
• Ability to work irregular schedules, including periodic evening and/or weekend hours
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in a counseling related field.
• Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor/Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCPC or LCSW)
• Experience in an educational setting
• Experience working with high school age students
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of individuals and diverse populations
• Ability to work independently, resolve issues, seek help when needed, and work on concurrent projects
• Experienced user of common computer hardware, office productivity software, and mobile devices
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Ability to travel as needed

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Working with gifted and talented students
• 5+ years of clinical experience with adolescents
• Bilingual - Spanish

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Substantial time is spent working on a computer. This role requires the following physical activities: talking, hearing and visual acuity, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, loading, unloading and moving materials/boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.

COMPENSATION:

This position is a full-time, exempt, 10-month, employment-at-will position. Beginning salary no less than $55,426.38 - $69.282.88. IMSA offers a comprehensive state benefits package (major medical, dental, vision, and prescription) with rates foundhere, a generous paid time off plan, and a retirement plan through the State University Retirement System (SURS). SURS is reciprocal with other Illinois public retirement systems such as the Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois (TRS) and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

To continue moving diversity, equity and inclusion forward, IMSA seeks to recruit, support, and retain diverse, talented individuals who are culturally competent, equity- minded, and constituent–centered.IMSA provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation, amnesty, arrest record, military status, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.