Temporary STP-K 2026 Lead Counselor

About the role

The Center for Children and Families at Florida International University announces Lead Counselor positions for 2026. Eligible children for STP-K are recruited from preschool programs in or around Miami-Dade County and are receiving, or eligible to receive, services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for moderate-to-severe learning and/or behavioral needs. Services are provided at a school in the Sweetwater area. The program provides treatment tailored to children's individual behavioral and learning difficulties.

Job Summary

The dates of employment for the Lead Counselor position are Monday, June 1, 2026, through Friday, July 31, 2026. Lead Counselor hours of employment are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. In addition, Lead Counselors will participate in a parent training group that meets one or two evenings weekly until 8:00 PM.

Responsibilities

• Receive a salary of $10,152.00 for the summer.
• Participate in a parent training group that meets one or two evenings weekly until 8:00 PM.
• Supervise and deliver the treatment components within both classroom and recreational contexts.
• Assist in leading an academic center (i.e., English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Writing).
• Lead a sport (i.e., soccer, kickball, tee ball).
• Deliver treatment components during large group instruction periods.
• Assist in delivering an evidence-based reading intervention.
• Track the daily behavioral progress for assigned cases.
• Review plans for activities such as sports skill drills for appropriateness.
• Review daily recording and tracking forms for accuracy.
• Observe group counselors during daily activities to ensure that all group members are implementing the treatment components with fidelity.
• Review daily treatment records to determine individual areas of impairment and to determine target behaviors and any need for individualized programming for children or adolescents who do not respond to the standard treatment components.
• Communicate with parents daily.
• Write treatment summaries for each child in their groups.
• Complete staff evaluations for the Counselors they supervise during the summer.

Qualifications

• Prior to the start of employment, Lead Counselors will be required to read the applicable treatment program manual and to be extensively familiar with behavior modification program and rules and procedures for daily activities, including the rules and fundamentals for the sports played in the program and other daily activities.
• Memorize, verbatim, information such the operational definitions for the behavior modification system categories, activity rules, rules for classifying behaviors, and other related information.
• Prepare significantly in advance for employment.
• Participate in a variety of training activities, including lectures, slide and video presentations, testing, and daily active roleplays during which staff members will act as counselors and children during activities such as games, drills, discussions, and time out.
• Complete rating scales regarding progress children made in the program and children's response to treatment.
• Write treatment summaries for each child in their groups.
• Complete staff evaluations for the Counselors they supervise during the summer.

Skills

• Ability to visually scan the environment.
• Effective verbal communication skills.
• Neutral, corrective feedback on children's misbehavior.
• Consistent, warm, positive climate for children.
• Active engagement in sports and physical activity.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

The salary for this position is $10,152 for the summer.

Schedule

- Monday-Friday
- 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Desired Qualifications

Desired qualifications for Lead Counselors include graduate-level study in clinical psychology, school psychology, mental health counseling, social work, education/special education, or related field of study, or extensive experience in related programs. Applicants should also have research, clinical, leadership, or field experience working or volunteering with children or adolescents. Work in settings such as summer camps, after-school programs, sports programs, daycare programs, and educational programs: and experience with activities such as organized sports, art, music, dance, theater, journalism, photography, and videography is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Education, Behavior Analysis, Social Work, or related field and experience working with children and teenagers OR equivalent education and/or experience.

Work Schedule

- Monday-Friday
- 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Criminal Background Check
• Fingerprinting Check

How to Apply

To apply, prospective employees must complete an online application, submit 3 recommendations, and a transcript. Current employees must log into Employee Self Service (ESS) to apply for this and any other internal candidates.