About Our Organization

Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and ultimately, to succeed in school and in life. We believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing the youth. We meet kids where they are — physically and emotionally — to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.

Founded in 1924 and celebrating 100 years of impact this year, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 18,000 youth around the country. For more information, visit www.youth-guidance.org.

Position Summary:
The Counselor provides individual, group, and family counseling and crisis intervention. The Counselor is responsible for
rendering direct counseling and/or support services to clients within agency policies and programs. The Counselor participates within a team, helps formulate team programs, and works with school administration to ensure cohesive collaboration.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develops counseling interventions and programs that meet client needs within the school community

• Provides clinical assessments for each client

• Provides individual counseling for clients in a school setting

• Provides family and crisis intervention as needed

• Participates in teacher training and school in-service presentations

• Performs weekly required documentation and special administrative assignments

• Participates in staff development and required trainings within Youth Guidance and assigned school(s)

• May include service provision in home or community-based locations, as well as school-based services

• Collaborates with and/or coordinates services alongside school administrative and behavioral health teams

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Experience/Training

• Master’s degree in social work or a related human service field from an approved and accredited college/university

• Experience with youth engagement/positive youth development

• Experience with or strong understanding of trauma-informed services and framework

• Experience working in schools or youth related systems, i.e. DCFS, juvenile detention, mental health facilities

• LSW, LCSW, LMFT, LCPC, or LPC licensure

Skills/Abilities

• Effectively communicates in verbal and written form

• Collaborates in team settings

• Works independently and with ownership of one’s work

• Demonstrates cultural competency, including understanding of effects of institutional racism and systemic oppression on marginalized populations

• Able to creatively engage youth

• Provides a positive, team-based approach to treatment and care of clients

• Fluent in Spanish and English highly preferred

Core Competencies:

• Communication: Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening

• Client orientation: Recognizes needs of diverse stakeholders and approaches relationships with a service orientation, to ultimately maximize the impact

• Equity mindset: Understands and is committed to goals of equity, consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace

• Growth mindset: Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if the change is required, demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn

• Ownership and quality of work: Effectively manages own work, and work of the team to ensure delivery of high-quality work

• Supervisory skills: Effectively manages and develops others

• Mission drive:
  Demonstrates commitment to the missing of the organization as a whole and alignment with organization values

Pay Range

$60,000-$70,000

Pay is determined by your educational background, licensure, and relevant professional experience.

Benefits

Youth Guidance offers a competitive benefit package for eligible full-time employees including the option to participate in medical, dental, and vision plans as well as short-term disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, pet insurance, 401k, a wellness program and more. You may also quality for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Physical Demands

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

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This job operates in a professional office environment, school setting, and working with the public

• Occasional local travel

Our Values

At Youth Guidance, we believe that creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected is fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We acknowledge that many systems and institutions intended to support youth do not provide fair treatment or access for everyone. We strive to celebrate the unique qualities of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer. Youth Guidance does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.