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

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
No