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STUDENT SERVICES LEAD (COUNSELING AND SOCIAL WORK)
JOB DESCRIPTION

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.