Prairie Crossing Charter School (PCCS) is currently accepting applications for a School Counselor or School Social Worker for the 2025-2026 school year. We seek to bring on a talented individual who is collaborative, aware, respectful, empowering, and sustainable. This position works collaboratively with staff, students, and families to cultivate a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment to support the school’s unique mission of fostering academic excellence, social-emotional growth, personal responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

Benefits of Joining the PCCS Team

Education for Sustainability

This is what makes PCCS successful. Along with meeting and exceeding the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, PCCS seeks to meet and exceed Education for Sustainability (EfS) Benchmarks for Individual and Social Learning in equipping our students to become community-centered and environmentally responsible. It's what our problem, project, and place-based learning approach is all about. We provide children with a personalized education experience, where they learn the value of community and the environment so they can make a positive difference for themselves and their communities

Constant Improvement

PCCS staff have the opportunity to develop their skills through our Institute Days and bi-monthly professional development sessions. Additionally, each staff member works with a mentor and an environmental coach who provide individualized support. Our collaborative environment is rooted in student achievement data and focused on improving instructional practice and student learning. These opportunities allow us to build a vibrant professional learning community where we can sharpen our skills and have fun.

Collaboration

All staff have daily prep time and weekly opportunities to collaborate with our content-area and grade-level teams. We are constantly building a professional learning community where teachers and partners are having the hard conversations and we are pushing each other to get better at our craft.

Exemplary Colleagues

When you decide to join the PCCS team, you are choosing to work with award-winning professionals who strive together to Create Natural Leaders. that children are our best hope to improve the world, and if you do too, we want you to join our team.

Job Description

• Provides direct service in individual or group settings to students identified as having social/emotional and/or behavioral difficulties that impact their educational performance
• Attends and is an active participant in the Student Support Team, PTAC Group, MTSS Core Group, Team Meetings, and IEP/504 Meetings as appropriate.
• Supports students, staff, and families with a focus on mental health, personal growth, and overall well-being
• Promotes social-emotional well-being and provides tools to families through the maintenance of the Family Lending Library
• Coaches individual students with academic planning and goal setting
• Collaborates with other members of the CARES and Instructional Leadership teams to identify behavioral or emotional difficulties, create interventions, and respond to crises
• Provides ongoing consultation for staff. This may include the supplying of Social Emotional curriculum, tools, modifications, and materials
• Develops and implements appropriate 504 plans for their caseload in accordance with state and federal statutes, which includes, but is not limited to:
• Monitors the progress of students on a regular basis as delineated in the 504
• Assists in the collection and analysis of student data
• Maintains accurate and complete records, including student services logs, and progress monitoring as required by law
• Creates and tracks student functional and social-emotional goals and objectives
• Participates in field trips, camping trips, etc., to provide educational/behavioral instruction or support for students
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Director of Special Education, Deans, and other central office administrators as designated by the Executive Director

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of elementary school social-emotional curriculum and Illinois SEL standards.
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiated instruction based on student learning styles.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis, and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Ability to use computer network systems and software applications as needed.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Education/Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in School Counseling or School Social Work
• Candidate must hold an Illinois Professional Educator License
• Environmental/Outdoor Education background is a plus.

Salary and Benefits

Base salary: Starts @ $41,441 annually and based upon Collective Bargaining Agreement (depending on experience, education & qualifications).

Benefits Package includes competitive PTO as well as:

• Health Insurance:
• Various Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage options are available.
• Retirement:
• Participation in the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System (TRS).
• 403 B Plan
• Professional Development:
• Funding for professional development opportunities, including conferences and workshops.
• Work Schedule and Hours:
• The position is from mid-August to the first part of June.
• Hours are negotiable; full-time or part-time
• Hybrid work can be discussed

PCCS is an equal-opportunity employer and fully embraces diversity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. The more inclusive we are, the better we will be.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $41,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

• Charter school
• Public school

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person