STUDENT SERVICES LEAD for COUNSELING AND SOCIAL WORK

Classification (FLSA): Full-Time, Exempt

Position Group: Teacher

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Union Membership: Proviso Teachers Union, Local 571, AFL-CIO

Reports To: Director of Curriculum/MTSS and Building Principal

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Student Services Lead serves as a teacher-leader who provides collaborative leadership, coaching, facilitation, and coordination for school counselors and school social workers while maintaining a full student caseload. The position supports alignment with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model, the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) Practice Model, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and district priorities. The role focuses on capacity-building, professional collaboration, continuous improvement, and systems development rather than evaluation or supervision.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of a Master’s Degree
Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
School Counselor or School Social Worker endorsement
Minimum of five (5) years of successful experience as a school counselor or school social worker
Demonstrated understanding of comprehensive student services programming
Demonstrated understanding of and compliance with district policies, procedures, and guidelines

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience leading teams, committees, or school-wide initiatives
Strong understanding of MTSS, student support systems, and equitable practices
Experience facilitating professional learning and collaborative team meetings
Knowledge of college and career readiness, attendance supports, crisis response, and social-emotional development
Ability to analyze student data to identify needs and inform interventions
Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills
Ability to build positive relationships across departments and stakeholder groups
Experience working effectively in diverse educational settings
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred

DISTRIBUTION OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Student Services (Caseload) - 75%

Coaching and Professional Support - 10%

Department Coordination and Communication - 10%

Systems Improvement and Professional Learning - 5%

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coaching and Professional Support

Provide individual and group coaching to counselors and social workers.
Facilitate reflective conversations focused on improving services and student outcomes.
Support staff in strengthening school counseling services, social work interventions, crisis response, and student support practices.
Model and reinforce culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and student-centered practices.
Support staff in translating ASCA and SSWAA standards into daily practice.
Share resources, professional learning opportunities, and best practices.

Emerging Systems Development

Identify priority student needs including attendance, mental health, academic success, postsecondary readiness, and social-emotional development.
Encourage consistent approaches to student support programming and interventions.
Collaborate with district student support staff to develop shared language and practices aligned to MTSS.
Support appropriate use of data to inform decisions and interventions.

Coordination and Role Clarity

Support understanding of the distinct and complementary roles of school counselors and school social workers.
Reduce role confusion by reinforcing counseling responsibilities related to academic, college/career, and social-emotional development and social work responsibilities related to mental health, family systems, and community-based interventions.
Facilitate collaboration among Student Services team members.

Systems-Level Leadership

Identify patterns and trends in student needs across grade levels and student groups.
Communicate barriers to student success to administration.
Support alignment between Student Services programs and school improvement priorities.
Advocate for structures and systems that strengthen student supports and comprehensive programming.

Communication and Facilitation

Facilitate regular Student Services meetings focused on collaboration, problem-solving, and professional learning.
Serve as a liaison between Student Services staff and administration.
Support communication regarding student interventions, resources, and support services.
Collaborate with school and district leaders on initiatives impacting student support services.

EXPECTATIONS

Maintain a full student caseload and all professional responsibilities associated with that role.
Demonstrate expertise in counseling, social work, MTSS, and student support systems.
Foster a collaborative department culture.
Serve as a resource and thought partner for counselors, social workers, administrators, teachers, and other staff.
Engage in ongoing professional learning and remain current on best practices.

The Student Services Lead Role Does Not Include:

Formal evaluation responsibilities
Managerial or disciplinary supervision of staff
Personnel-related decision making authority

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

As established by the current Agreement between Proviso Township High Schools District 209 Board of Education and the Proviso Teachers Union, Local 571, AFL-CIO.

POSITION GOALS

In consultation with supervisors, annual goals will be established and incorporated into the performance evaluation process.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary and benefits as established by the current Agreement between Proviso Township High Schools District 209 Board of Education and the Proviso Teachers Union, Local 571, AFL-CIO.