School Year 2026-27 FT School Counselor

Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools
2026-27School Counselor

Full Time Benefit Eligible 
St. John the Baptist, Winfield, IL
Position Available: August 2026

Position Purpose

The School Guidance Counselor's primary function is to assist students who are experiencing social or emotional difficulties in the school environment. This person acts as an advocate for students who need assistance in acquiring social skills that are critical to academic success. The Guidance Counselor must be an excellent communicator who is willing and able to involve parents and classroom teachers in supporting the modifications and accommodation designed to assist their children. 
 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The school counselor...

• Identifying students in need of small group or individual social or emotional interventions using assessment data
• Screening students to establish appropriate interventions.
• Providing small group or individual interventions to address identified student needs.
• Assessing student progress regularly and using assessment results to inform subsequent action plans.
• Serving as a resource for classroom teachers and content-area specialists.
• Coaching and assisting teachers in organizing their academic programs, selecting materials, implementing teaching techniques, and in relating their instructional program to the special needs of individual students.
• Providing professional development support in the implementation of research-based best practices.
• Collaborating with teachers and other educators to develop and implement plans that meet the needs of all students.
• Assisting with meetings of the school Teacher Assistance Team.
• Teaching, coaching, leading, and overseeing social-emotional interventions designed by this Team.
• Must be familiar with planning and implementing Response to Intervention (Rti) strategies and the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework.
• Must be willing to assume a leadership role in assessing students and in designing programs and services to meet individual needs.
• Maintaining frequent communication with the school principal and parents regarding students.
• Regularly conferring with the principal regarding the social, emotional, and academic needs of students.
• Additional duties as assigned by the principal and/or Catholic Schools Office Administrators. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of current teaching methods related to counseling services.
• Knowledge and practice of the Catholic faith.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis procedures, and the formulation of data-informed interventions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Ability to clearly communicate with all constituents including (but not limited to); administration of St. John the Baptist Catholic School, pastors, parish priests, colleagues, students, parents, and prospective parents.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, School Guidance Counseling, Special Education, Elementary Education, or related discipline.
• A master's degree in school counseling required.
• Successful experience in a working collaboratively with a Teacher Assistance Team is a plus.
• Must hold a master's degree or higher awarded by a regionally accredited institution of higher education in school counseling.
• The following coursework is also required as part of the program:
  • Structure, organization, and operation of the education system, with an emphasis on P-12 schools.
  • Growth and development of children and youth.
  • Diversity of Illinois students and the laws and programs that have been signed to meet their unique needs.
  • Effective management of the classroom and learning process.
• Completed a supervised counseling practicum of at least one hundred clock hours that included at least 40 hours of direct service work.
• Certification/Licensure: The candidate must hold a current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) and/or Illinois licensure as a Social Worker (LCSW) or a School Guidance Counselor.
• Previous experience in utilizing differentiation strategies to meet the instructional and social-emotional needs of individual learners preferred.
• Exceptional classroom management and communication skills are essential to success in this role.

Physical abilities that are commonly associated with the performance of this job*

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently be required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see, feel with hands, reach with arms, walk up or down multiple flights of stairs, and be physically able to perform duties as assigned, including the ability to lift up to 20-30 pounds if needed.

• Works in standard office and school building environments but also has ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities. 

Salary Range to be determined at the local school level. 

• $44, 00 - $60,000 

• Final salary will be determined by relevant years of experience in a similar job combined with education and professional licensure.

   

Benefits Eligible

• Paid personal leave days and paid holidays

Benefits (Eligible) 
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, Basic Life and AD & D, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Defined Pension Plan funded by Diocese of Joliet, 403(b) retirement plan, paid personal leave days, and paid holidays.
• Voluntary benefits of Short-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Permanent Life Insurance.

To Apply for this Position

Complete an online Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools Office Frontline Applicant Tracking application. Additionally, the following documentation is required to be uploaded/submitted with your online application to be considered further:

• Current Resume
• Official Transcripts showing proof of master's degree or higher
• Show proof of internship experience of at least six hundred clock hours with at least 240 hours of direct service work
• Educator Licensure: Current Illinois Professional Educator Licensure (PEL), endorsed as a School Social Worker
• Professional/Clergy References

This may be accessed at the following link:
https://www.applitrack.com/dioceseofjoliet/onlineapp/

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Incomplete or paper applications will not be considered. 

We are excited to review your interest in this position! 

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*This document is not intended to be a comprehensive list of work-related functions. All duties and work conditions listed are subject to change at the discretion of the Diocese of Joliet Management. The Diocese of Joliet will, in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), accommodate essential job functions whenever feasible.