Licensed Social Worker or School Counselor - SY2026-2027

AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF AN ACCREDITED PUBLIC CHARTER MONTESSORI SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON, DC

JOB POSTING

LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER or  SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

School Year: 2026-2027

Job Opportunity: Licensed Social Worker or  School Counselor

Department: Academic

Reports to: Principal

Location: Washington, DC

Minimum Experience:  Manager/Supervisor 

Compensation                $70,000 - $85,000 per year plus benefits

Employment Type         Full-Time / 10 or 12 month position

                                         FLSA S by status: Exempt

Start Date:                  July 2026 or Until filled

About Shining Stars Montessori Academy Public Charter School

Shining Stars Montessori Academy Public Charter School’s mission is to offer a quality Montessori education infused with culturally inclusive principles to guide children to develop to their fullest potential.

.Position Summary:

A licensed school counselor at Shining Stars Montessori Academy (SSMA) supports students’ social, emotional, and academic development while honoring Montessori principals of self- regulation, independence, and holistic growth. . They work closely with teachers, parents, and administrators to guide conflict resolution and ensure individualized student support.

Counselors or Social Workers report to the Principal . This position provides students with individual, small-group, and classroom guidance services and is part of the Student Wellness Team. Counselors or Social Workers observe children during classroom and play...

Essential Functions & Accountabilities:

• Supports students' social, emotional, and mental health needs in person during school hours.
• Performs casework service with individual students to correct those personal, academic, social, or emotional difficulties related to their educational and social progress.
• Performs casework service with parents to increase the parents' understanding, their constructive participation in resolving their child's problems, and their knowledge and use of appropriate resources available.
• Consults and collaborates with other school personnel in gathering and giving information on a case, and in establishing and planning for respective roles in the redirection of the student’s behavior.
• Assists  with referral of students to, and serves as liaison with relevant outside agencies as appropriate.
• Attend meetings (IEP, 504, tother) to help create a plan for child/student success.
  Provide short-term assistance to family members to cope with the trauma associated with the students' distresses.
• Assists with the creation and implementation of monthly SEI classes, workshops, or events for students.
• Makes home visits for the purpose of gathering helpful information on a student's background.
  Serves as liaison between home and school when considerable follow-up is necessary, as in, foster home children, and disadvantaged students.
• Assists students directly toward adjustment to school.
• Conducts individual, group, or facilitates therapy for diagnosed students who would benefit from behavior modification.
• Reports progress and complete all documentation associated with services provided to 
• Co plans and collaborates with other team members  to support students' social-emotional and mental health needs during summer school programming hours. Engage individuals and families as partners in services and develop positive, hopeful, and trusting relationships. Participate as an active member of the service provider team.
• Serves as a resource for other school personnel regarding all student adjustment situations.
  Participates in an in-service training program and keeps current on new developments in the field.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Principal or Head of School.
• Prepare monthly reports of all services provided
• Participate in Parent Education Program Workshops, Back to School Night , Open Houses and Parent-Teacher Conference
• Fulfill continuing education requirements consistent with respective discipline and maintain a current license
• Participate in new student orientation and Student Support Services traditions
• Develop and maintaining relationships with graduate social work programs to host clinical interns,
• Adhere to the professional and ethical standards as outlined in the SSMA PCS Employee Staff Handbook
• Additional duties to be assigned as needed

Required Competencies & Qualifications:

• Maintain confidentiality
• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Model Montessori ‘grace and courtesy’ curriculum
• Possess a passion for working in and with diverse communities
• Possess a passion for growing independent, confident, and intellectually curious children
• Ability to provide services to all children and families with respect and dignity
• Ability to engage individuals and families as partners in services and develop positive, hopeful, and trusting relationships.
• Ability to serve as an active member of the SSMA Academic and Student Support Services Team
• Candidates must be organized, possess strong communication and writing skills, and be able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledgeable of trends and issues, laws, and regulations related to the development and delivery of case management services
• Flexibility
• A love of children, self, and a sense of humor

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in social work, and/or counseling with appropriate license or be license-eligible in the District of Columbia (LICSW, LCSW, LISW, LPC), and counseling (M.S., M.A., M.Ed., LPC) z
• OSSE certification strongly preferred
• Clinical experience preferred. The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work. Demonstrated success in mediation and relationship building.
• 3-5 years of experience in a similar role in a private, public, and/or public charter school.

 Benefits

The school offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package to promote self-care and overall wellness, including employer-covered health insurance for employee, dental and vision insurance, free life insurance, 401 k retirement including employer match, and short term disability insurance.

The school offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package to promote self-care and overall wellness, including employer-covered health insurance for employee, dental and vision insurance, free life insurance, 401 k retirement including employer match, and short term disability insurance.

Compensation:

The salary for this position is commensurate with prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is available. This is an 10 month or contract 

Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS is an American Montessori Society and Middle States Association Council on Elementary and Secondary School accredited  school. SSMA is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, Montessori Administrators Association and hosts a chapter of the National Association of Elementary School Principals/National Elementary Honorary Society for students in grades PK 3-6.

Shining Stars Montessori Academy Public Charter School does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.