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Confidential Employer
Peoria, Arizona

Licensed Counselor (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, LAC) Peoria

Social WorkerFull-Time

Listed compensation

$58k-$80k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 55m ago · Verified live

Job Description

The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students is a multifaceted special education program, designed specifically for students with emotional disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities or other educational challenges.

Austin Centers currently serves over a thousand students per year from more than 100 school districts and charter schools on all our campuses.

Our Vision: To ignite a brighter tomorrow for every child and youth, regardless of their struggles, by providing unwavering support, world-class education, and a nurturing environment.

Position Summary

The Austin Centers is a state-certified special education school for kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) special needs students ranging in age from five to twenty-two.

We were established to provide an environment in which the pursuit of instructional effectiveness and learning is valued for students with emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism or pervasive developmental delays, specific learning disabilities, and other educational challenges. We are looking for a Licensed Counselor to join our Team!

Summary

At the Austin Centers, the School Counselor plays an essential role in the success of our students. It is the responsibility of the school counselor to provide services to students in order to facilitate academic, personal/social, and career competencies.

The counselor will work with students, staff, families, and members of the community as an integral part of the education program. The counselor will promote school success for all students by providing academic advisement, prevention and intervention activities.

Essential Functions

  • Develop and monitor intervention strategies to increase academic success
  • Assist with conflict resolution and anger management
  • Help students develop appropriate social interaction skills
  • Provide individual and group counseling
  • Provide crisis intervention
  • Work with parents to facilitate support for academic and behavioral improvements
  • Assist parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources

May facilitate special interest programs (i. e. support groups, parenting groups)

  • Assess students with mental health concerns
  • Provide staff training and information to better understand factors affecting student behavior
  • Develop in-service training as needed
  • Assist teachers with behavior management and provide direct in-class support as needed

Attend IEP Meetings as Needed

  • Skilled in positive behavior interventions and strategies, restorative practices and trauma informed practices
  • Build strong relationships with students, staff and families
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Ability
  • Ability to work in a school-based therapeutic environment serving students with emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs
  • Experience providing individual and small-group counseling to children and/or adolescents
  • Strong collaboration skills with teachers, administrators, and related service providers
  • Education/Certification/Experience
  • Bachelor’s Degree, required, Masters’ Degree, preferred, in Social Work or Counseling
  • Must hold State Counselor License (LPC, LCSW, LMSW, LAC)
  • 1 year experience as a counselor or social worker in a school setting.

Benefits

  • 401(k)
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Paid time off
  • Paid training
  • Professional development assistance

#IND2

Pay Range

$58,000—$80,000 USD

Joining our team means that you are part of a passionate team of professionals dedicated to meeting the needs of our exceptional students. Austin Centers is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, regardless of their background or identity.

Come help us empower bright futures: transforming lives, one student at a time!

Key Responsibilities

The school counselor provides academic, personal, and social support to students while facilitating intervention strategies and crisis management. They collaborate with staff, families, and community members to improve student behavior and academic success.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Work or Counseling and a valid State Counselor License (LPC, LCSW, LMSW, LAC). A minimum of one year of experience in a school setting is required.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual counseling

Social Worker Career Context

Confidential Employer ranks #5 of 11 employers hiring Social Worker on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 62% are remote, 34% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Arizona is 100.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$69k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $69k in an average-cost state. 60.3% of Arizona clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Social Worker Jobs

33 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution33 jobs · 14 employers

6
<$90k
4
$90k-105k
6
$105k-120k
15
$120k-135k
2
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks30 jobs · 14 employers

401k / retirement match
100% this job
Sign-on bonus
47%
CME allowance
20%
Loan repayment
10%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Social Work listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 6,359 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Peoria

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$415k≈ 7.2× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,870/mo≈ 39% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
28 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
103.3
State income tax
Up to 2.5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About Confidential Employer

Primary and Secondary Education
Phoenix, AZ
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

401(k)
Health Insurance
Health Savings Account
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program