The SEL Specialist develops social emotional programming and provides counseling and support to students to foster a positive culture. They collaborate with parents, staff, and community partners to create comprehensive success plans for at-risk students.
Requirements summary
Requires a Master's degree in social work or counseling and bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English. Candidates must be licensed or license-eligible in Illinois and possess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
By The Hand Club For Kids is a Christian, after-school program that emphasizes academic excellence while nurturing the whole child – mind, body and soul. Located in Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, By The Hand helps children have abundant life. The culture of By The Hand is Christ-centered, people-focused and results oriented. While loving and nurturing, By The Hand has a strong results-orientation, a very structured program and a growth mindset that believes with hard work we can all continue to learn and grow.
Joining By The Hand’s incredible mission as an abundant life builder means jumping right into the work of healing and hope on behalf of our extraordinary children. You’ll have the opportunity of a lifetime to impact the trajectory of generations of stories; helping students soar to success in their academic performance, practice personal accountability and, even more importantly, grow in their understanding of God and their relationship with Jesus.
By The Hand is a not-for-profit, religious organization. Individuals employed at By The Hand are working in ministerial roles and perform all or some of the following responsibilities: sharing the Gospel, teaching chapel, leading Bible studies, discipling students, and modeling behavior that is consistent with Christ’s teaching.
Salary
$55,000 - $60,000
Overview of Position
Under the supervision of the Director of SEL, the Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SEL Specialist) will play a critical role in the implementation of the positive culture at By The Hand. The SEL Specialist will develop social emotional programming, provide counseling and support to students, and work with students, parents and staff to develop plans for student success.
Spiritual Requirements
Has a personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by a lifestyle that demonstrates the Word of God, and is in regular fellowship with other members in a Bible-believing church.
Agrees with the By The Hand Club Doctrinal Statement and adheres to the Employee Biblical Standards of Living.
Shows by example, the importance of Scripture memorization, Bible study, prayer, witnessing, and Christian fellowship.
Leads a team devotional on a regular basis and participates in weekly team prayer.
Has completed an evangelism course and is trained and prepared to share the gospel with anyone who inquires.
Works with staff and members of the EOS Leadership Team to monitor and enforce policies and procedures to further By The Hand’s religious purpose and freedom.
Role Responsibilities
Benefits
Benefits
Performs in a way that is consistent with the vision, mission, and culture of By The Hand and commits to excellence in every aspect of the overall operation.
Models cultural values of By The Hand Club For Kids in day-to-day behavior.
Follows all policies as outlined in the operational guide, including maintaining brand standards and ensuring 100% adherence to the Child Protection Policy.
Participates in employee growth plans, including quarterly conversations and annual review meetings.
Implements a social and emotional learning strategy for staff and students.
Collaborates with site staff and parents to implement groups and develop social emotional learning of students and staff.
Identifies at-risk students and creates a comprehensive plan including goals and methods to address student needs.
Counsels students and provides them with guidance to overcome personal, social, emotional or behavioral problems.
Supports professional development for staff regarding: trauma, at-risk students, social, emotional, behavioral issues and how to implement SEL curriculum.
Works as part of a multidisciplinary team including team leaders and directors to ensure continuity of care and services.
Monitors progress, attendance, and discipline of students assigned.
Identifies and coordinates with other social service providers and community partners to provide students with supplemental services.
Maintains appropriate files and records including progress notes.
Adheres to the legal and ethical requirements of their profession.
Observes students in classroom settings and SEL lessons taught by Team Leaders.
Performs all other duties as required and assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities
This position requires a Christ-like servant leader who has a sense of calling and models Biblical principles.
Passion and commitment to urban student transformation, confidence to lead in a challenging situation, and belief that all children can learn.
Outstanding problem-solving skills with an orientation toward results, action, impact, and influence.
Ability to work both as a team player and independently.
Proven ability to work under tight deadlines and multi-task well.
Outstanding time management and communication skills.
Demonstrated strong relationship building skills with children and adults.
Demonstrates ability to interact with parents, staff and external community based social service agencies.
Desire to be informed about trends and issues found in SEL research.
Passion and commitment for urban student transformation in SEL.
Willingness to promote and encourage student growth and progress.
Possesses strong relationship building skills with youth.
Bilingual (Spanish and English) required.
Education and Experience
Masters degree in social work or counseling.
Bilingual (Spanish and English) required.
Experience in case management, training implementation and individual/group counseling
Knowledge and experience in trauma and social emotional learning.
At least one year of experience working with youth.
Experience managing and training interns (preferred).
Licensed or licensed-eligible in the state of Illinois. By The Hand can provide clinical supervision for social workers seeking their LCSW.
Must have a valid driver's license, available transportation and their own auto insurance or willingness to arrange alternative transportation.
Metrics
100% of students with consistent SEL needs have a personalized behavior plan.
Improved student attendance and retention.
Focused social emotional goals for students.
Maintain a caseload of 30 students.
Complete pre/post SEL surveys for all students in grades 4th - 6th.
Impact of activities at time of execution.
Use of resources in lessons, data and relationships built with students and staff.
Increased student confidence and attitude toward themselves and others.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and copy machines. This job is not a virtual job, but it requires in-person attendance as agreed upon by your immediate supervisor.
Physical Demands
The employee is regularly required to speak and listen. This role may require you to move equipment from room to room and lift up to 15 pounds. The individual is also required to travel to other organizational sites for meetings with staff, students and partners.
Disclaimer
The duties and responsibilities described are not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform. The employee may be required to perform additional functions as necessitated by business demands. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Employment with By The Hand Club For Kids is at will, and the employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.
By The Hand Club For Kids is an equal opportunity employer.
By The Hand does not unlawfully discriminate against any protected classes.
As a ministry, By The Hand is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees on the basis of religion in our screening and selection process.
By The Hand is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates with a disability, absent undue hardship.
An employee or applicant who believes he or she has a disability and may require an accommodation must contact the Human Resources Department at hr@bythehand.org [hr@bythehand.org] or call 773-854-4176.
Market context
Bilingual SEL roles in Illinois schools
In Illinois, Social Emotional Learning Specialist roles are often tied to schools and student-support programs that need bilingual staff who can work with Spanish- and English-speaking families. These positions are competitive because they typically require a master’s degree, Illinois licensure or license eligibility, and alignment with the employer’s faith-based expectations. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your licensure status and bilingual experience before applying.
