Counselor

Counselor (PreK-8th Grade)

This posting is for a position during the 2025-2026 school year, which would start in August 2025.

Must-Haves- High-priority skills and qualities

• Engages in culturally responsive, equitable, and anti-racist practices
• Continuously reflects, grows, and develops professional practice
• Makes decisions aligned with the SLLIS Mission, Values, and Purpose
• Believes in the capacity of each child to achieve at high levels
• Cultivates a collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-focused culture
• Approaches all situations with an asset-based and growth mindset
• Develops and uses effective organization systems
• Communicates in a proactive, timely, and effective manner

Minimum Qualifications

• Missouri school counselor certification.
• Licensed Professional Counselor or Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor
• Advanced degree in counseling or a closely related field
• Near native fluency in spoken and written English

Nice-to-Haves- Skills and qualities that are a plus but not necessarily a requirement

• Employment experience in K-8th grade setting
• Fluency in spoken and written French, Mandarin or Spanish

Responsibilities

• Acts as a resource person for counseling-related learning activities.

• Consults with teachers, staff, and parents regarding meeting the developmental needs of students.
• Provide individual and small group counseling to students, including those with IEPs, to support self-regulation, personal growth, self-awareness, and maturity, often aligned with specific goals.
• Lead small group or whole-class Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons for PreK-8, using the Second Step curriculum or counselor-created lessons, to foster emotional and social development, tailored to student needs and goals.
• Manage a caseload of IEP students, writing and updating IEP goals as needed, and track progress in collaboration with the special education team. Document all counseling sessions and IEP-related progress in the Therapylog system.
• Refers students and families to appropriate school and community resources such as school and/or community-based psychologists, school nurses, and administrators for educational assistance.
• Maintains and updates student records and when appropriate, reviews with parents and teachers, maintaining confidentiality.
• Support students and families under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act by arranging transportation in collaboration with the Special Programs Director, and providing clothing or meeting hygiene needs.
• Conduct attendance support calls to families regarding student attendance concerns, barriers, and any underlying issues such as hygiene or family support needs.
• Act as a liaison with the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and support community engagement activities.
• Assist 8th-grade students with the ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) process and high school applications and coordinate and host high school meet-and-greet events to support transition into high school.
• Organize and support fundraising efforts for the school, including coat drives and Thanksgiving food drives.
• Collaborate with the Children's Division for students in need of additional social services or family support.
• Conduct suicide risk assessments as needed, ensuring timely intervention and support.
• Participate in Mental Health Team meetings to collaborate with the School Psychologist and Behavioral Health Therapist on needs and referrals.

Compensation and Benefits

SLLIS is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of everyone. Critical to our mission is creating a just, equitable and inclusive school, St. Louis community, and world. As such, we strive to maintain a compensation system free from inequities while uplifting the unique experiences of our staff.

We use a total rewards system thereby ensuring our compensation and benefits program takes a holistic approach. The compensation system at SLLIS is transparent, equitable, sustainable, and competitive in relation to the local educational market in which we serve. It offers fair and predictable compensation to ensure SLLIS is retaining top talent.

The annual salary for this position is competitive and rages from $44,900 - $71,185. Our salaries are well-above market rate: SLLIS salaries are higher than 97% of public schools in Missouri. Your salary would be based on the highest postsecondary degree you have obtained and the number of years of experience you have. SLLIS also offers the following:

• • Compressive health care package (medical, dental, vision, short/long term disability and life insurance)
    • Vision insurance (no cost to you)
    • Short-term disability coverage (no cost to you)
    • $25,000 life insurance (no cost to you)

• College tuition rewards program for dependents

• • Eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs

• Retirement contributions of 14.5% of annual salary and optional 403b

• • Supply reimbursements and a staff laptop to use

• 12 PTO days per year, plus no work in June or July!

• • Other paid time off includes: one week for Thanksgiving break, two weeks for winter break, one week off for Spring break, and all major U.S. holidays. This averages 25 days per year.

• Paid parental leave for new parents

• • Individualized coaching and support

• Leadership opportunities to help staff meet their career goals

Our Mission

St. Louis Language Immersion School provides a bilingual, culturally responsive, transformational education that enriches the children of St. Louis city.

Our Purpose

To dismantle systems of oppression by creating a just, equitable and inclusive school, St. Louis community, and world.

Our Values

• Provide an accessible and rigorous bilingual education
• Listen to and engage all voices
• Commit to equity, anti-racism and cultural competency
• Reflect on and respond to data throughout our school
• Celebrate mission moments, both big and small

Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Not all applicants will receive an interview for the position, but all applications will be thoroughly reviewed. SLLIS has a multi-stage hiring process which includes a phone screening interview, an interview with our Talent Committee and a final interview with our administration team.

Salary : $44,900 - $71,185