Counselor

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to mentor youth in the Kansas City 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 Counselor at Youth Guidance might be the job for you! We have filled most of our positions, but are still looking for more outstanding talent to complete our team. 

At Youth Guidance, 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 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 today Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 11,000 youth while touching the lives of more than 14,000 youth, parents, teachers, and community members.

These positions will be assigned to one of the following school districts:

• Kansas City Kansas Public Schools (Kansas City, KS)
  
• Kansas City Public Schools (Kansas City, MO)

Our WOW Counselor are responsible for:

Providing school-based group support and direct service to girls in 7th-12th grade to ensure they develop responsible decision-making skills, self-awareness, emotion management, self-acceptance, healthy relationships and social awareness. The WOW Counselor will use 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 support sessions utilizing the WOW curriculum during the school day.
• Provide individualized supports to WOW participants.
• Facilitate SEL assessments for each client.
• Provide family and crisis intervention as needed.
• Perform weekly required documentation and special administrative assignments.
• Participate in WOW staff development, required curriculum training, team meetings, and other topics relevant to working with youth.
• Provide all necessary functions to develop the WOW program using teacher trainings and school in-service presentations.
• Work jointly with WOW Supervisor to manage a program budget to plan and execute field trips and special events for students throughout the school year and summer.
• Collaborate and/or coordinate with the local school councils, parent engagement programs, and student support services department.
• Participate in assigned WOW committees.
• Perform public relations assignments as requested.
• Other duties assigned.

Our WOW Counselor has been equipped for this work with at least:

• A Master’s Degree in social work, counseling or a related human service field from an approved accredited university is required.
• 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
• Bilingual/Spanish preferred, but not required

Our WOW Counselor Exemplifies:

• Communication: Able to use effective written and oral communication with internal and external audiences and stakeholders; demonstrates empathy and listening.
• Equity mindset: Understands and is committed to goals of equity; consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace.
• Growth mindset: Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills, even if the change is required; demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn.
• Ownership and quality of work: Effectively manages own work ensuring delivery of high-quality work.
  

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

The duties performed are primarily in a school setting, vaccination is required.  Occasional need for local travel.

Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Youth Guidance does not discriminate on the basis of 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 creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity along all of these lines. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

EEO/M/F/D/V/SO