LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

Franklin, MA

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The position of School Guidance Counselor is designed to help students overcome problems that impede learning and to assist them in making educational, occupational, and life plans that promise personal fulfillment as mature and responsible individuals. The counselor will work collaboratively with school personnel and parents to address student presenting problems and assist with college and career readiness, educational and post-secondary planning, and decision-making. The counselor is also responsible for communicating with administration all information that impacts students and the life of the school.

Responsibilities

• Understand role as school-based service provider and as a mandated reporter.
• Understand the concept of developmental guidance and provide students with instruction and supports in the MA social-emotional learning standards.
• Develop curriculum for small group and whole class instruction in areas of identified need.
• Collaborate with parents/guardians to increase their understanding of and constructive participation in their child's education.
• Consult and collaborate with school-based teams and administration in gathering and sharing information on students.
• Work with school-based teams on planning and establishing student action plans and/or behavior plans.
• Consult and share information regarding students with teachers, parents, and administration whenever necessary.
• Consult with teachers, parents, and administration on special educational needs of students with disabilities.
• Participate in Special Education and Section 504 evaluation process as assigned.
• Report progress and complete all documentation associated with evaluation process and services provided to students within mandated timelines.
• Work with school-based teams to assist with students in crisis.
• Review occupational, career, and educational plans, and assist counselee to obtain appropriate information to make sensible choices.
• Assist students in evaluating their aptitudes, abilities, and limitations through the interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data.
• Review subject matter grades with counselee to assist in determining subject sequences consistent with their plans and potentials.
• Review academic, personal, and social problems with counselee to assist in exploring reasons for difficulties and arriving at realistic solutions.
• Maintain contact with teachers where counselee has academic or classroom problems and coordinate efforts to assist the student.
• Assist entering students transferring from other schools to effect a smooth academic and social transition.
• Assist students terminating their education prior to graduation to assess their position realistically and encourage them to rethink their decision.
• Assist graduates and residents of Franklin with educational and vocational information and other guidance services.
• Make appropriate referrals for educational, personal, and social assistance as indicated.
• Maintain contact and coordinate with agencies to whom referrals are made.
• Assist students with job and career concerns to develop an appropriate action plan.
• Plan appropriately for providing post-secondary schools and employment agencies with significant information.
• Supervise the timely preparation and processing of college, scholarship, and employment applications.
• Maintain student records in accordance with student record laws.
• Assist in the administration of group tests and compiling of test data.
• Assist with organization and implementation of all state and local assessments (e.g., MCAS, PSAT's, SAT's, etc.).
• Assist in follow-up and other survey activities.
• Be available, by appointment, for parent conferences as needed.
• Assist in publicizing guidance activities to staff, school, and community.
• Assist in other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Massachusetts Department of Education Licensure as a School Guidance Counselor required.
• Understanding of MA General Law and implementation in school-based practice.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Benefits

• Salary & Benefits as per teachers' contract.