School Counselor Jobs in Illinois
School Counselor jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand across K-12 public schools, community colleges, and charter networks at every level from entry-level counselors to seasoned department leads. Chicago Public Schools, Community Unit School District 300, and Naperville Community Unit School District 203 are among the state's most established employers, with steady hiring in and around Chicago, Rockford, and the Naperville-Aurora corridor. The most sought-after specializations include college and career readiness counseling, social-emotional learning support, and crisis intervention. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 31+ School Counselor jobs
Shine on as a therapist.
What you can expect from us.
- Diverse career pathways, mobility up and across our national network, and ongoing professional and leadership development.
- Paid training, tuition reimbursement, and credentialing support.
- Data-driven, evidence-based learning and instructional models, including SESI’s own positive behavioral interventions and support (PBIS) framework called CASE.
- An attractive and robust suite of benefits, including comprehensive healthcare benefits, 401(k) with employer match, employee assistance program, mental health support, fertility and family building, and more.
- Smaller class sizes in diverse educational settings.
SESI.R3
- Work with a diverse group of students from varying developmental, cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Provide individual, group, or push-in counseling services to students in accordance with their individualized education plan (IEP) or behavior intervention plan (BIP).
- Collaborate on creating IEPs, including social-emotional IEP goal setting and IEP meeting participation.
- Complete social-emotional and behavior assessments, analyze data to identify student strengths and weaknesses, and develop functional behavior assessments, BIPs, and other transition plans.
- Implement behavior management and intervention strategies, including de-escalation techniques, crisis management, and physical restraint when necessary to maintain the safety of students and staff.
- Support social-emotional learning skill development through targeted curricula, assessments, and more intensive behavior support as needed.
- Provide in-service training with other teams, including expressive therapy and clinical teams.
- Collaborate with external partners and providers to support students, families, and staff.
- Maintain documents in student files according to regulatory agency requirements.
- Professional licensure, including LPC or LCPC, LCSW or LMSW, or LMHC, LCMHC.
- Master’s degree in social work, human services, or related field (mental health, psychology, counseling).
- 2 years of experience working with children and adolescents in a school, special education, or behavior health setting preferred.
Shine on as a therapist.
What you can expect from us.
- Diverse career pathways, mobility up and across our national network, and ongoing professional and leadership development.
- Paid training, tuition reimbursement, and credentialing support.
- Data-driven, evidence-based learning and instructional models, including SESI’s own positive behavioral interventions and support (PBIS) framework called CASE.
- An attractive and robust suite of benefits, including comprehensive healthcare benefits, 401(k) with employer match, employee assistance program, mental health support, fertility and family building, and more.
- Smaller class sizes in diverse educational settings.
SESI.R3
- Work with a diverse group of students from varying developmental, cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Provide individual, group, or push-in counseling services to students in accordance with their individualized education plan (IEP) or behavior intervention plan (BIP).
- Collaborate on creating IEPs, including social-emotional IEP goal setting and IEP meeting participation.
- Complete social-emotional and behavior assessments, analyze data to identify student strengths and weaknesses, and develop functional behavior assessments, BIPs, and other transition plans.
- Implement behavior management and intervention strategies, including de-escalation techniques, crisis management, and physical restraint when necessary to maintain the safety of students and staff.
- Support social-emotional learning skill development through targeted curricula, assessments, and more intensive behavior support as needed.
- Provide in-service training with other teams, including expressive therapy and clinical teams.
- Collaborate with external partners and providers to support students, families, and staff.
- Maintain documents in student files according to regulatory agency requirements.
- Professional licensure, including LPC or LCPC, LCSW or LMSW, or LMHC, LCMHC.
- Master’s degree in social work, human services, or related field (mental health, psychology, counseling).
- 2 years of experience working with children and adolescents in a school, special education, or behavior health setting preferred.
See All 31 School Counselor Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find School Counselor JobsSchool Counselor Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
School Counselor Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in school counselor jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Professional Educator License with School Counselor endorsement required
- Master's degree in school counseling or closely related counseling field
- Completion of an ISBE-approved school counselor preparation program
- Experience or supervised practicum hours in a K-12 school setting
- Strong knowledge of ASCA National Model and Illinois social-emotional learning standards
- Proficiency with student information systems such as Skyward or PowerSchool
School Counselor Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a school counselor in Illinois?
To become a school counselor in Illinois, you must hold a Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Counselor endorsement, issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. This requires completing a master's degree from an ISBE-approved school counselor preparation program and fulfilling supervised field experience hours. Candidates must also pass the Illinois Licensure Testing System exams required for the endorsement before the license is granted.
Which companies hire school counselors in Illinois?
Employers hiring school counselors in Illinois right now include Ela Township, Chicago Public Schools, and Greater Joliet Area YMCA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's large public school systems and growing charter networks generate the most consistent year-round openings in the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most school counselor jobs?
Chicago, Lake Zurich, and Aurora have the most school counselor openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the highest volume by far as home to one of the largest public school districts in the country, while Rockford and the Naperville-Aurora area generate strong demand through their large suburban school districts and growing student populations.
Are there remote school counselor jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of school counselor openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the fundamentally in-person nature of the role. Virtual or hybrid arrangements are most common in college and career advising, tele-counseling support roles, and positions at online or hybrid learning programs rather than traditional K-12 buildings.
How can I get hired as a school counselor in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a supervised practicum or internship through an ISBE-approved program, which many Illinois universities place directly within partnering school districts. Chicago Public Schools and large suburban districts in the Naperville and Rockford areas regularly host graduate interns who later convert to full-time roles. Candidates coming from adjacent positions such as social worker, teacher, or academic advisor have a clear advantage, particularly if they hold or are pursuing their PEL with School Counselor endorsement.
Where can I find and apply to school counselor jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to school counselor jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across school districts, charter networks, and other educational institutions. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 31 School Counselor Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find School Counselor Jobs