Long-term substitute High School Counselor (5913)

Job Summary

Required Qualifications

• •Master's degree from an accredited college/university in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or a related field
• •MA DESE license as a School Counselor
• •Satisfactory CORI, SORI and SAFIS Background Check
• •Knowledge of child development
• •Knowledge of mental health
• •Knowledge of evidence-based practices/interventions
• •Knowledge of college/career advising
• •Knowledge of academic advising
• •Knowledge of wellness
• •Knowledge of inclusive practices
• •Knowledge of cultural proficiency
• •Knowledge of anti-bias instruction
• •Knowledge of social-emotional learning
• •Knowledge of CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning)
• •Knowledge of growth mindset
• •Knowledge of universal screening assessment/mental health screening
• •Ability to work in a diverse public school setting with English Language Learners
• •Ability to support students with mental health, wellness, special needs, including students with emotional, behavioral, and/or learning challenges
• •Ability to deliver services consistent with MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support)
• •Ability to support students and families through the college application process, including navigating the Common Application, College Essays, Financial Aid Applications, College List Finalization
• •Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, colleagues, families/caregivers, outside providers, and community resources
• •Ability to create a welcoming, supportive, creative, flexible learning environment that ensures equitable access to information and supports for all students
• •Ability to apply knowledge of child development and diverse counseling approaches that result in social-emotional growth for students
• •Ability to collaborate with colleagues to implement supports that enhance the social-emotional growth of students
• •Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• •Ability to create a welcoming and supportive environment that embraces the diversity among individuals and ensures equitable opportunities for student learning and community membership
• •Ability to welcome new students and their families, providing orientation and entry-support
• •Ability to identify and assist students at risk in their social, emotional, behavioral, and academic adjustment to school
• •Ability to provide counseling experiences as guided by the Multi-Tiered System of Support, the Massachusetts Frameworks, and district standards
• •Ability to evaluate and refine practice to increase student learning, engagement, and confidence
• •Ability to provide crisis intervention and conflict resolution when needed
• •Ability to serve as primary staff to administer and oversee student wellness screenings, risk assessments, and other individual student safety checks
• •Ability to manage all aspects of cases for students on 504 plans
• •Ability to serve as primary contact to private therapists, mental health workers, and appropriate agencies, such as the Department of Child and Families (DCF)
• •Ability to provide support, if needed, with registration, enrollment, and placement of new students
• •Ability to provide support for course selection and changes for new and existing students
• •Ability to provide support/guidance with post-secondary schools, private schools, colleges and universities, financial aid, and careers
• •Ability to deliver Advisory lessons focused on Career, Personal/Social, and Academic Planning
• •Ability to consult and collaborate with administrators/principals, families/caregivers, general education and special education staff about students in the Counselor's caseload
• •Ability to communicate to school personnel an understanding of the physical, social, emotional and psychological factors that strengthen or detract from a student's achievement
• •Ability to actively participate in Targeted Supported Teams at the school during which time teams of teachers, administrators, and service providers review strengths and challenges of struggling students and identify targeted interventions, with follow-up assessment on the success of the intervention

Desired Qualifications

• •Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese