Military and Family Life School Counselor

Responsibilities

• Provide the full breadth of Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) counseling services to children of all ages of military service members and their families at both on‑ and off‑installation locations.
• Deliver non‑medical counseling, training/health and wellness presentations, and consultation with parents, personnel, schools, and installation command regarding behavioral health issues affecting children and youth.
• Be assigned to Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools and community schools; school‑setting experience is required for these assignments.
• Serve in youth programs, summer camps, and on‑demand assignments as needed.
• Work closely with installation and military branch Points of Contact (POC) to ensure the program is provided within scope and meets installation and school needs.
• Provide non‑medical, short‑term, solution‑focused counseling directly to eligible children and youth, including assessment, brief counseling, consultation, action planning, referral to resources, and follow‑up.
• Support staff and personnel of DoDEA, community schools, and summer camps; provide parent training and guidance.
• Conduct training and health‑and‑wellness presentations; participate in health fairs and other base/installation activities focused on children and youth.
• Enter counselor activity data daily via smartphone or web application, ensuring accurate reporting while maintaining confidentiality and anonymity of service members and families.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with community resources focused on children and youth and provide appropriate linkages.
• Maintain consistent visibility within schools and adhere to line‑of‑sight protocol (another adult must be able to see the counselor and child at all times).
• Partner with the POC to deliver CYB services that address installation/facility needs and develop a professional working relationship with the POC.
• Manage duty‑to‑warn and restricted‑reporting situations according to DoD protocol and staff cases with the Regional Supervisor/Regional Director.
• Communicate with the Regional Supervisor and participate in regular individual and group supervision, sharing information on trends and issues across assigned installations.
• Respond to critical incidents and special requests as directed by the POC and approved by the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) program manager; flex schedule to meet urgent requests.
• Participate in regular in‑services/training, Quality Improvement committees, initiatives, studies, pilot programs, and other contract activities, including pilot program certification, documentation, integration, and technology utilization.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited graduate program in a mental‑health‑related field.
• Valid unrestricted independent counseling license from a State, District of Columbia, U.S. Territory, or Commonwealth that authorizes independent practice.
• Minimum two years of post‑licensure clinical experience.
• Intermediate‑level competency with technology and software (Microsoft Suite, internet navigation, smartphone/tablet and application navigation, video‑conferencing platforms).
• Ability to engage and communicate with military members or children, respond quickly to emergent situations on installations or in schools, traverse short and long distances, maneuver rugged or uneven terrain, and work in outdoor weather and base conditions.
• Compliance with site‑specific requirements (e.g., current immunizations/vaccinations and documentation) for designated locations.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship and fluency in English.
• Understanding, sensitivity, and empathy for children, service members, and their families; ability to develop trusting, helping relationships.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Pass a Child National Agency Check and Inquiries (CNACI) clearance, an Installation Records Check (IRC), a criminal‑history background check, and an FBI fingerprint check.
• Valid U.S. state driver’s license; may be required to obtain a U.S. military vehicle operator’s permit for commercial sedans for temporary‑duty (TDY) locations.
• Meet Magellan MFLC CYB criteria for experience with children and youth and specialization in child and adolescent development/psychology.
• School‑assigned counselors must have prior work experience in a school setting.

Pay

Salary range: $59,922 – $100,280. This reflects the anticipated base salary based on current national data; actual pay will be adjusted for skills, experience, education, and other job‑related factors permitted by law. The position may also be eligible for short‑term incentives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Short‑term incentive opportunities.
• Broad range of health, life, voluntary, and other benefits and perks designed to enhance physical, mental, emotional, and financial wellbeing.