Temporary School Counselor

Temporary School Counselor Position

This is a temporary, anticipated 8 week position (could be slightly more or less depending on Academy needs), filling in for a leave during the Fall 2026 semester. The selected candidate will be responsible for counseling students on a drop-in basis, providing outside resources for students and families, assessing student needs, developing peer support group programs, and assisting with the coordination of the sophomore navigation program as a part of implementing a comprehensive counseling program focused on social and emotional learning. The Temporary School Counselor will be supervised and evaluated by the Coordinator of School Counseling.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10–12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive teaching and learning environment. 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 work 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

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND 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 (currently through virtual support services)
• Assist the students in adjusting to the rigors of the IMSA academic and social environment
• Provide brief solution-focused therapy to students in need
• Provide crisis management and crisis intervention as needed
• Mediate conflicts between students, students and faculty, or students and staff
• Assess and refer students and families to appropriate resources
• 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
• Mandated reporting for child abuse and neglect
• Conduct brief group counseling for special interest groups
• Communicate with parents whenever a student experiences serious psychological problems
• Collaborate with Student Life team members and Academy partners to support students' social and emotional needs
• Perform psychosocial screenings on students of concern
• Establish relationships with local mental health agencies and professionals
• Attend staff meetings
• Complete required documentation and administrative tasks
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Student Affairs
• Contribute to the overall success of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy's strategic plan

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in a counseling related field.
• Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor/Licensed Social Worker (LPC/LSW)
• 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:

• Illinois license in counseling or certification in social work (LCPC, LCSW)
• 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 temporary, non-exempt, employment-at-will full-time position, however, the Academy is open to accommodating candidates who may only be able serve in a part-time capacity. The hourly rate for this position will fall between $37.45/hr - $46.81/hr depending on education level and years of experience pro-rated to hours and length of time worked. This position is not benefits eligible.