Student Services Counselor

Job Title:

Student Services Counselor

Reports To:

Director of Student Services Last Updated:
April 2026 Mission Statement

Wolcott College Prep, an independent high school in Chicago's West Town neighborhood, offers an exemplary college-preparatory education for students with learning differences, tailored to each student's strengths and aspirations. Employing best practices, our expert faculty is committed to helping each student achieve academically, communicate effectively, and grow socially as well as develop the self-awareness, confidence, and resilience to thrive in college and beyond.

The Student Services Counselor supports the mental health, social-emotional development, and overall well-being of students at Wolcott College Prep. As a core member of the Student Services Team, this position provides direct counseling services, leads the school’s social-emotional learning (SEL) programming, and serves as a key resource for students, families, and faculty navigating the social and emotional dimensions of adolescent life with learning differences.

This role operates at the intersection of individual student support and whole-school programming, contributing to a culture of wellness, belonging, and resilience. This is a 10 month position.

• Provide individual counseling to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges
• Conduct needs assessments and develop individualized support plans in collaboration with the Student Services Team
• Maintain a caseload appropriate to school size and serve as an ongoing point of contact for students in need of mental health support
• Support students during and after crises, including coordination with outside providers and families
• Monitor student well-being across the school year and proactively identify students who may benefit from additional support
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of student services in accordance with legal and ethical standards

• Design, implement, and continuously improve the school’s SEL curriculum in alignment with Wolcott’s Mindsets & Practices framework
• Lead and facilitate school-wide SEL programming, including advisory program content, classroom lessons, and community-building initiatives
• Collaborate with the Academic Dean and faculty to integrate SEL principles and practices into classroom instruction and school culture
• Track and evaluate the effectiveness of SEL programming using data and student feedback
• Stay current on evidence-based SEL approaches and bring new ideas and resources to the Student Services Team and broader faculty

• Serve as a consultant to faculty and staff on student mental health, behavioral concerns, and trauma-informed practices
• Partner with the Director of Student Services, Learning Specialists, and faculty to provide coordinated, whole-student support
• Facilitate referrals to outside mental health providers when appropriate and maintain working relationships with community agencies and practitioners
• Support families in understanding their student’s social-emotional needs and in accessing appropriate resources
• Participate in learning plan meetings, student support team meetings, and family conferences as needed

• Serve as a primary point of contact for mental health crises, including risk assessment and coordination of response
• Develop and support implementation of school-wide crisis protocols in partnership with school leadership
• Provide post-crisis follow-up support for affected students and, when appropriate, the broader community
• Contribute to a proactive school culture that normalizes help-seeking and reduces stigma around mental health

• Facilitate professional development for faculty and staff on topics including mental health awareness, trauma-informed instruction, and SEL
• Represent the Student Services department at faculty meetings, grade-level team meetings, and school events as appropriate
• Participate in departmental and school-wide committees and initiatives
• Maintain professional licensure and engage…