26-27 SY: School Based Therapist (K-12)

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Position Type: Full-Time | 2026-2027 School Year

ABOUT ESPERANZA ACADEMY

Esperanza means hope. Esperanza Academy Charter School (EACS), located in the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia, is dedicated to serving the students within its community. We believe education can be a vehicle for social and economic advancement, especially in historically underserved communities. This core belief drives our relentless pursuit to become the best educational option for all students in the Philadelphia area.

Our proven track record of academic success with historically underserved students sets us apart. The Academy has 11th-grade test scores above the city of Philadelphia average and value-added math and reading proficiency growth is among the highest in Pennsylvania. Students graduate at a rate exceeding 90% and drop out at only 1%. For 9 out of 11 years, the Academy has been awarded a silver or bronze medal rating in the US News ranking of Best High Schools in the country.

In the fall of 2025, we opened a brand-new elementary school building, marking the completion of our expansion to a full K-12 program serving over 2,200 students. This growth will make Esperanza Academy the second-largest single charter school in Philadelphia, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality education to even more students in our city.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Esperanza Academy Charter School is seeking a compassionate, student-centered, and collaborative School-Based Therapist to support the emotional, behavioral, and social well-being of students in grades K–12 receiving special education services. Reporting to the Director of Special Education, this role serves as a key member of the related services and Student Support Services team and plays an essential role in helping students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally within the school environment.

The School-Based Therapist will provide comprehensive mental health services through assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, and collaboration with families, educators, and outside providers. The ideal candidate is passionate about supporting students through trauma-informed, restorative, and therapeutic practices while helping to create a safe, supportive, and equitable learning environment for all students.

This full-time position for the 2026-2027 school year offers a unique opportunity to join a diverse, mission-driven school community that is passionate about closing the opportunity gap.

Key Responsibilities

Counseling & Therapeutic Support

• Provide individual and group counseling services to students addressing emotional, behavioral, social, and mental health needs.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans aligned to students’ emotional and academic goals.
• Support students in developing coping skills, emotional regulation strategies, conflict resolution skills, and positive peer relationships.
• Provide crisis intervention and immediate support to students experiencing behavioral or emotional crises.

Assessment & Special Education Support

• Conduct assessments and evaluations to identify students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Collaborate with special education staff to develop and support Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that include therapeutic goals and interventions.
• Participate in IEP meetings, Manifestation Determination meetings, SAP meetings, and multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation of counseling services, evaluations, and interventions.

Collaboration & Family Engagement

• Work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, counselors, related service providers, and families to support student progress and well-being.
• Serve as a resource for staff and caregivers by providing strategies and recommendations to support students’ emotional and behavioral growth.
• Collaborate with outside agencies and service providers to coordinate supports and services when appropriate.
• Help foster positive school climate initiatives that promote student wellness, engagement, and success.

Professional Responsibilities

• Support school-wide initiatives focused on student mental health, behavior, and social-emotional learning.
• Remain informed on current research, best practices, and legal requirements related to school-based therapy and special education.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, supervision, and continuous growth opportunities.
• Abide by Esperanza Academy policies, procedures, and all applicable Pennsylvania public school expectations.
• Perform additional duties aligned with Student Support Services and student success initiatives as assigned.

What you will bring:

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field required.
• Current state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or equivalent required.
• Experience working in urban school settings or charter schools preferred.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practices, crisis intervention, social-emotional learning, and special education processes.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Spanish fluency preferred but not required.
• Current FBI, PA Criminal, and Child Abuse clearances required.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Esperanza Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Esperanza Academy are based on doing what is best for kids, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.