Student Services Counselor

Job Title Student Services Counselor Reports To Director of Student Services Last Updated April 2026 Mission Statement Wolcott College Prep, an independent high school in Chicago's West Town neighborhood, offers an exemplary college-preparatory education for students with learning differences, tailored to each student's strengths and aspirations. Employing best practices, our expert faculty is committed to helping each student achieve academically, communicate effectively, and grow socially as well as develop the self‑awareness, confidence, and resilience to thrive in college and beyond. Job Summary The Student Services Counselor supports the mental health, social‑emotional development, and overall well‑being of students at Wolcott College Prep. As a core member of the Student Services Team, this position provides direct counseling services, leads the school’s social‑emotional learning (SEL) programming, and serves as a key resource for students, families, and faculty navigating the social and emotional dimensions of adolescent life with learning differences. This role operates at the intersection of individual student support and whole-school programming, contributing to a culture of wellness, belonging, and resilience. This is a 10 month position. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Direct Student Support Provide individual counseling to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges Conduct needs assessments and develop individualized support plans in collaboration with the Student Services Team Maintain a caseload appropriate to school size and serve as an ongoing point of contact for students in need of mental health support Support students during and after crises, including coordination with outside providers and families Monitor student well‑being across the school year and proactively identify students who may benefit from additional support Maintain accurate, confidential records of student services in accordance with legal and ethical standards SEL Leadership Design, implement, and continuously improve the school’s SEL curriculum in alignment with Wolcott’s Mindsets & Practices framework Lead and facilitate school-wide SEL programming, including advisory program content, classroom lessons, and community‑building initiatives Collaborate with the Academic Dean and faculty to integrate SEL principles and practices into classroom instruction and school culture Track and evaluate the effectiveness of SEL programming using data and student feedback Stay current on evidence-based SEL approaches and bring new ideas and resources to the Student Services Team and broader faculty Consultation, Collaboration, and Referral Serve as a consultant to faculty and staff on student mental health, behavioral concerns, and trauma‑informed practices Partner with the Director of Student Services, Learning Specialists, and faculty to provide coordinated, whole‑student support Facilitate referrals to outside mental health providers when appropriate and maintain working relationships with community agencies and practitioners Support families in understanding their student’s social‑emotional needs and in accessing appropriate resources Participate in learning plan meetings, student support team meetings, and family conferences as needed Crisis Response & Prevention Serve as a primary point of contact for mental health crises, including risk assessment and coordination of response Develop and support implementation of school‑wide crisis protocols in partnership with school leadership Provide post‑crisis follow‑up support for affected students and, when appropriate, the broader community Contribute to a proactive school culture that normalizes help‑seeking and reduces stigma around mental health Professional Development & Community Facilitate professional development for faculty and staff on topics including mental health awareness, trauma‑informed instruction, and SEL Represent the Student Services department at faculty meetings, grade‑level team meetings, and school events as appropriate Participate in departmental and school‑wide committees and initiatives Maintain professional licensure and engage in ongoing professional development Other Duties Support school programs, events, and community activities Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Services or Head of School Qualifications Education: Master’s degree required in Social Work (MSW/LCSW), Counseling (LPC/LCPC), School Psychology (Ed.S. or doctoral), or a closely related field. Licensure: Active Illinois licensure required (LCSW, LCPC, or equivalent). Licensed School Social Worker (LSSW) or Type 73 School Psychologist certification a plus. Experience: 3+ years of experience providing mental health or counseling services to adolescents, preferably in a school setting. Experience working with students with learning differences, ADHD, or executive functioning challenges strongly preferred. Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Deep understanding of adolescent development, mental health, and the intersection of learning differences and social‑emotional well‑being Knowledge of evidence‑based counseling interventions and SEL frameworks Experience with crisis assessment, intervention, and follow‑up Ability to design and facilitate engaging, developmentally appropriate SEL programming for high school students Strong consultation skills and ability to communicate effectively with faculty, families, and outside providers Commitment to confidentiality and ethical, culturally responsive practice Excellent written and verbal communication skills Collaborative and proactive approach; ability to work effectively within a small, close‑knit team Proficiency with Google Suite and willingness to learn school information systems Physical Demands and Work Environment 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, bend, write, type, speak, and listen. In addition, the employee may occasionally be required to bend, twist, reach and climb. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, peripheral and distant vision. The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet/moderate to loud. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well‑being and work output of students. The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by (an) individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities related to the position. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity and school policy and procedures. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Compensation Salary range: $65,000 - $90,000, commensurate with experience. Wolcott College Prep offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as retirement plan options and a 401k matching program. Wolcott College Prep does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or religion in the administration of its hiring policies. #J-18808-Ljbffr