Counselor

About the Role

The Mental Health Counselor provides trauma-informed counseling and supportive services to youth and families participating in violence prevention, survivor support, and youth development programs. The Counselor delivers individual and group counseling services, facilitates psychoeducational workshops, conducts assessments, and collaborates with schools, caregivers, and community partners to promote healing, resilience, emotional well-being, and positive youth outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counseling services to youth participants.
• Conduct mental health screenings, assessments, and intake evaluations.
• Develop individualized treatment and service plans based on participant needs.
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization support as needed.
• Monitor participant progress and adjust treatment goals accordingly.
• Maintain appropriate clinical documentation and case records.

Group Facilitation and Psychoeducation

• Facilitate youth support groups focused on trauma recovery, resilience building, emotional regulation, and healthy coping skills.
• Conduct youth survivor workshops and psychoeducational group sessions throughout the program year.
• Facilitate conflict-resolution and life-skills workshops for youth participants.
• Support implementation of Quick Skills workshops and other prevention-focused educational activities.
• Provide caregiver support groups and educational workshops designed to strengthen family functioning and support youth success.
• Engage parents and caregivers in treatment planning and support services.
• Provide family consultations and referrals when appropriate.
• Facilitate caregiver survivor workshops and community-based support activities.
• Participate in outreach efforts to engage caregivers and survivors in the community.

School and Community Collaboration

• Collaborate with school personnel, case managers, and community partners to coordinate services.
• Participate in weekly planning, consultation, and incident review meetings with school partners.
• Coordinate referrals to community mental health and supportive service providers.
• Advocate for participant needs within educational and community settings.

Data Collection and Program Evaluation

• Administer participant intake assessments and questionnaires.
• Collect and track participant outcomes, attendance, and service delivery data.
• Assist with program evaluation activities, including assessments, pre/post tests, and participant satisfaction surveys.
• Support reporting requirements and quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in staff meetings, training activities, and professional development.
• Assist with participant recruitment, engagement, and retention efforts.
• Contribute to program planning and implementation activities throughout the grant period.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
• Illinois clinical licensure or license eligibility (LPC, LCPC, LSW, LCSW, LMFT, or equivalent).
• Minimum of two years of experience providing counseling services to youth and families.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Strong assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with schools, families, and community partners.
• Experience working with youth impacted by violence, trauma, grief, or victimization.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency.
• Experience providing school-based mental health services.
• Experience facilitating support groups and psychoeducational workshops.

Core Competencies

• Trauma-Informed Counseling
• Youth Mental Health Treatment
• Crisis Intervention
• Group Facilitation
• Family Engagement
• Behavioral Health Assessment
• Conflict Resolution
• Cultural Responsiveness
• Community Collaboration
• Documentation and Compliance

Conditions of Employment

• Ability to work varying hours Monday - Friday; schedule may include some evenings and weekends.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required for work-related travel.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time.
• Must be able to frequently move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to transport oneself to and from home visits.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs.
• Constantly moves to assist during program activities.
• At times, it may be required to lift up to 25 lbs. for various needs.
• Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• A 403(b) retirement savings plan.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays.
• An Employee Assistance Program.

Benefits are provided in accordance with plan documents and organizational policies, and eligibility may vary based on employment status and scheduled hours.

Pay

$47,000 - $53,000

Schedule

Varying hours Monday - Friday; schedule may include some evenings and weekends.