WOW Youth Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $50,000-$63,000

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to mentor youth in the Waukegan, IL area. Do you believe in serving the community? Do you enjoy helping youth connect the dots of life? If so, then working as a WOW Youth Specialist at Youth Guidance might be the job for you!

Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and ultimately, to succeed in school and in life. We believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing the youth. We meet kids where they are physically and emotionally to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.

Founded in 1924 and celebrating 100 years of impact this year, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 18,000 youth around the country. For more information, visit

Position Summary

WOW Counselors are responsible for providing school-based group counseling and direct service to female-identifying youth in 7th-12th grade by empowering them to develop responsible decision-making skills, self-awareness, emotions management, self-acceptance, healthy relationships, and social awareness. The WOW Counselor should be flexible in their clinical expertise and youth engagement skills to empower the girls to become successful in school and life.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Facilitate 4-5 weekly group counseling sessions utilizing the WOW curriculum during the school day
• Provide clinical assessments for each client
• Provide individual counseling for WOW students
• Provide family and crisis intervention as needed
• Perform weekly required documentation and special administrative assignments
• Participate in WOW staff development and required curriculum training
• Provide all necessary functions to develop the WOW program using teacher trainings and school-in-service presentations
• Collaborate with the LSC, Parent Programs, and the Pupil Personnel Support team
• Participate in assigned WOW committees
• Serve on Youth Guidance Board and/or agency committees as requested
• Perform public relations assignments as requested
• Other duties assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience/Training

• Bachelors Degree in social work, counseling, or a related human service field from an approved accredited university is required; a Master's is preferred
• Must have at least two years experience facilitating groups
• Experience in Clinical and Youth Engagement
• Experience working with trauma-informed services and framework
• Experience working in schools or youth-related systems, ie DCFS, juvenile detention, mental health facilities

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills
• Capable of collaborating in team settings and working independently
• Must exhibit cultural competency
• Must demonstrate creativity in engaging youth
• Provide a positive team-based approach to treatment and care while working with clients
  
• Able to function well in group and team settings

Benefits

Youth Guidance offers a competitive benefit package for eligible full-time employees including the option to participate in medical, dental, and vision plans as well as short-term disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, pet insurance, 401k, a wellness program and more. You may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stoop, kneel and crouch.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• This job operates in a professional office environment, school setting and working with the public.
• May work occasional weekends and local travel as needed.

Our Values

At Youth Guidance, we believe that creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected is fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We acknowledge that many systems and institutions intended to support youth do not provide fair treatment or access for everyone. We strive to celebrate the unique qualities of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer. Youth Guidance does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.