Director of School Counseling

Waltham Public Schools • Waltham, MA

20h

About The Position

This position will lead the district's school counseling and social emotional learning initiatives. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to create the vision, systems, and structures to support the district's focus on college and career readiness and on social emotional learning and wellness.

Requirements

• Hold a Master’s Degree in the field of Psychology, Education, Social Work or a related field
• Possess Massachusetts DESE license as a Supervisor/Director (non-core), Supervisor/Director (guidance), or Supervisor/Director (pupil services) as well as School Adjustment Counselor or School Guidance Counselor
• Possess a minimum of three years of leadership in a school district, school, or organization
• Experience working directly with students as a school adjustment counselor or guidance counselor, especially working with diverse student populations (5 years minimum)
• Experience designing and implementing social emotional learning curricula and supports as a pivotal aspect of student educational success using proactive and responsive models that are multi-tiered and differentiated
• Demonstrated capability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, such as school district staff, families, youth, community members and other essential partners
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of Social and Emotional Learning research, program evaluation, strategies, theories, techniques, and methods of instruction
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated multiple experiences of coordinating response teams, such as crisis management and student success teams.

Nice To Haves

• Training in Responsive Classroom, Open Circle, or similar evidence-based approaches to linking academic success to social-emotional learning
• Training in crisis intervention, such as CPI or TCI
• Experience with and training in Naviance.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and evaluate assigned counseling and student support staff.
• Supervise and evaluate administrative support staff for the department.
• Lead the District’s initiatives in school counseling and social emotional learning.
• Effectively communicate a consistent vision of social emotional learning as a pivotal aspect of student educational success using proactive and responsive models.
• Work collaboratively with district and building-based staff to develop an instructional vision for student success that integrates social emotional learning and wellness with rigorous instructional opportunities.
• Coordinate college and other post-graduate counseling initiatives by high school guidance staff.
• Coordinate with Administrators, Principals, Town departments and outside agencies to determine appropriate supports for students, families, and schools, including during crisis situations and to address trauma related needs.
• Oversee the Section 504 process and plan development; assist counseling and nursing staff in conducting 504 meetings with students, parents and staff; provide training to faculty.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director