Child & Adolescent Counselor (School-Based)

Overview

Child & Adolescent Counselor (School-Based) Jobs in Chicago, IL at Bright Star Community Outreach

Title: Child & Adolescent Counselor (School-Based)

Company: Bright Star Community Outreach

Location: Chicago, IL

About Bright Star Community Outreach:

Over the course of our proud seventeen-year history, Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO) has made significant contributions to the renewal of Chicago’s most vulnerable communities as a 501C3 nonprofit organization. Driven by our hope for change in this city and the families that call it home, Bright Star’s presence has been marked by effective programming, social development, and advocacy; particularly in the greater Bronzeville community of Chicago’s south side. Led by founder and CEO, Pastor Chris Harris, Sr., who grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood where we are currently located, our strategy includes developing impactful community development initiatives aimed at facing our largest societal challenges: violence in our communities, poor economic opportunities, inadequate mental health services, affordable housing and education.These efforts are designed to strengthen local families and communities, as well as leverage our key partnerships with organizations and businesses that share our passion for seeing renewal in Chicago.

About the Behavioral Health and Education Department of BSCO

BSCO’s Behavioral Health and Education Department supports the larger mission of Bright Star Community Outreach which exists to be a hub that addresses challenges in under-resourced, underserved, and underdeveloped communities by utilizing our Trauma and Training and Community Conversations and Collaborations Models.  BSCO understands that mental wellness and educational success are deeply interwoven. Both in tandem, lead to better quality of life for children, youth and families.

We are committed to serving the Bronzeville and Greater ChicagoLand areas through comprehensive, culturally relevant behavioral health and education programming. We do this by recognizing that we are the community we serve. Our dedicated staff are members of the communities we serve. Therefore, we aim to reflect the type of care, compassion and commitment to diversity in our work that we desire to both receive and commit to give one another internally. Building bridges of trust through integrity and intent, our goal is to improve mental health, social-emotional learning and academic outcomes in the lives of our surrounding community. It is our hope that the service we provide becomes a positive, life-changing core memory that remains with our participants for years to come. 

Position Overview:

The Child & Adolescent Counseling Supervisor provides school-based mental health services to students while also offering clinical supervision and support to counseling staff. This role supports students’ social, emotional, and behavioral well-being and collaborates with school staff, families, and community partners to deliver evidence-based interventions within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. This position is supported through a grant funded by CDPH (Chicago Department of Public Health), which is part of a two-year cycle ending December 31, 2028, with plans to apply for renewal for an additional grant cycle.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and group counseling services to students experiencing emotional, behavioral, or social challenges.
• Deliver tiered interventions (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3) aligned with MTSS frameworks to address varying levels of student need.
• Conduct assessments and screenings to identify student needs and determine appropriate levels of intervention.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans and behavioral support plans.
• Provide clinical supervision, guidance, and support to counseling staff, including case consultation and professional development.
• Review documentation and ensure compliance with clinical, ethical, and organizational standards.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and school support staff to promote a positive and inclusive school climate.
• Offer consultation and psychoeducation to school staff and families regarding student mental health and behavioral strategies.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in compliance with school, agency, and legal requirements (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA).
• Coordinate referrals to community resources and external providers when necessary.
• Support prevention and early intervention initiatives, including social-emotional learning (SEL) programming.
• Provide presentations on mental health/child mental health topics to schools, community partners and stakeholders as needed.
• Participate in Bright Star Community Outreach’s fundraising and public relations events and efforts as needed and to the extent that it does not interfere with other job duties. 

Qualifications:

• MUST Pass a CPS background check. 
• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Active state licensure required (e.g., LCSW, LSW, LCPC, LPC), with eligibility to provide clinical supervision preferred.
• Minimum of 2–5 years of experience working with children and adolescents.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, SEL, and behavioral interventions.
• Familiarity with MTSS, PBIS, and school-based service models.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong leadership, supervision, and mentoring skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build rapport with diverse student populations and staff.
• Effective collaboration and consultation skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Cultural humility and commitment to equity and inclusion.



Work Environment:

• School-based setting (elementary, middle, or high school).
• May require travel between school sites.

Benefits:

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance with a health reimbursement account

(HRA). Optional health savings account or flexible spending account options and supplemental

disability insurance. Company-provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance options

available. Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.

Salary Range: $65,000-$70,000 per year

Bright Star Community Outreach is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and

are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.