Bilingual (Spanish) Counselor/Social Worker

Position Type:
Student Support Services/Counselor, Social Worker and/or Psychologist

Date Posted:
4/28/2026

Location:
Barrington Middle School - Station Campus

Date Available:
26-27 School Year

Closing Date:
When Filled
BARRINGTON COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT 220

BARRINGTON, ILLINOIS 60010

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: ML (MULTILINGUAL) COUNSELOR/SOCIAL WORKER (BILINGUAL SPANISH)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Counselor or School Social Worker endorsement
• Bilingual Education (Spanish) and ESL Endorsements preferred, or ability to obtain within a designated timeframe
• Demonstrated fluency in Spanish (speaking, listening, reading, and writing)
• Knowledge of Illinois School Code, ISBE guidance, and federal requirements related to multilingual learners and student services
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in:
  • Multilingual learner programming and language acquisition
  • School counseling and/or school social work
  • Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices
  • Suicide risk response, self-harm response, and crisis intervention in school settings
• Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build relationships with students and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and immigration backgrounds
• Knowledge of WIDA English Language Development Standards, including language domains (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and their application to instruction and student support

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with multilingual learners, newcomer students, or immigrant populations
• Experience in middle school settings
• Experience supporting students with school avoidance, anxiety, trauma, or adjustment needs
• Experience facilitating small groups and family engagement programming
• Experience working within MTSS, 504, and/or IEP processes

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Multilingual Counselor/Social Worker provides comprehensive academic, social-emotional, mental health, and family engagement support to multilingual students, with a primary focus on Spanish-speaking students and families.

This position bridges multilingual learner programming and student services by ensuring students have access to instruction, feel a strong sense of belonging, and receive appropriate support for social-emotional and mental health needs.

The role integrates best practices from both the multilingual education field and the counseling/social work field, including culturally responsive practices, family-centered engagement, and evidence-based approaches to student wellness and safety.

REPORTS TO: Building Principal & District Directors of Language Acquisition and Student Services

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Student Counseling & Social-Emotional Support

• Provide individual and small group counseling/social work services in English and Spanish
• Support students with adjustment, belonging, peer relationships, identity development, and emotional regulation
• Address concerns such as anxiety, trauma, school avoidance, and acculturation stress
• Facilitate small groups focused on transition, social skills, and student connection

Crisis Response & Student Safety

• Respond to student mental health concerns, including suicidal ideation, self-harm, and safety risks, in alignment with district protocols
• Participate in risk assessments (e.g., Columbia Screener) and multidisciplinary response processes
• Develop and implement safety, re-entry, and support plans for students returning from crisis or hospitalization
• Collaborate with internal teams and outside providers to ensure continuity of care
• Maintain appropriate documentation and follow mandated reporting requirements

Multilingual Learner Support & Advocacy

• Support multilingual students' academic and social-emotional access to school programming
• Support multilingual learners across all service statuses, including:
• Active English Learners receiving language services
• Students in Monitoring Status Year 1 (Monitor 1)
• Students in Monitoring Status Year 2 (Monitor 2)
• Monitor student progress (academic, attendance, behavioral, and social-emotional) for active and monitored ML students
• Advocate for culturally and linguistically responsive practices within the school setting
• Collaborate with ML staff and classroom teachers to support students' development across the four language domains (listening, speaking, reading, writing) within both academic and social contexts

Family Engagement & Communication

• Communicate directly with Spanish-speaking families in both written and verbal formats
• Support families in understanding school systems, expectations, and available supports
• Facilitate meetings with families regarding academics, social-emotional concerns, and student services
• Connect families to school and community resources, including mental health supports
• Coordinate or support family education opportunities to strengthen school-family partnerships

Collaboration & Teaming

• Collaborate with teachers, ML staff, administrators, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and other support staff
• Participate in MTSS, 504, IEP, crisis, and problem-solving teams as appropriate
• Provide consultation to staff on culturally responsive practices and multilingual student needs

Transitions, Access & Inclusion

• Support onboarding and transition of new multilingual students and families
• Assist with course placement, scheduling, and access to academic opportunities
• Support transitions between buildings (elementary to middle, middle to high school)
• Promote student participation in extracurriculars, enrichment, and postsecondary awareness opportunities

Data, Documentation & Compliance

• Collect and analyze student data to inform interventions and supports
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in alignment with district and legal requirements
• Support IEP-related counseling or social work services when applicable
• Ensure compliance with ML and student services requirements
• Assist with the coordination and administration of the annual ACCESS for ELLs assessment, including:
• Supporting student testing logistics and scheduling
• Assisting with test administration as trained and assigned
• Collaborating with ML staff to ensure compliance with state and federal testing requirements
• Supporting communication with families regarding testing and results
• Ensure appropriate follow-up and documentation for students exiting ML services, including required monitoring procedures and family communication

Professional Responsibilities

• Engage in ongoing professional learning related to multilingual learners, mental health, and culturally responsive practices
• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical standards
• Serve as an active member of the student services and ML teams
• Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the scope of the role

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed in a school setting, including offices, classrooms, and common areas
• Requires movement throughout the building and active engagement with students
• May involve responding to crisis situations requiring timely and calm intervention
• Requires the ability to remain composed and responsive in emotionally charged or sensitive situations
• May include participation in meetings with families, including those requiring interpretation, advocacy, or support in complex situations

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: (Completed by Office of Human Resources)

Days/year

182 days

Benefits

D220 Benefits

Salary

BEA Salary Schedule

04/2026