Sunita Williams School-.4 Part-Time School Counselor SY 25-26

Needham Public Schools • Needham, MA

2d

About The Position

Needham Public Schools is an inclusive, dynamic, and multicultural community seeking an energetic, skilled, and compassionate Part-Time (0.4 FTE) School Counselor to join the team at the Sunita Williams Elementary School. To enhance our goals of supporting every child, Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. About Needham Public Schools (NPS): The Needham Public Schools has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency, equity, and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate . This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5,500 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias, bullying, and hurtful acts that demean and diminish. Read more about our equity work here . Job Description The Part-Time School Counselor will provide direct and in-direct support and counseling services to elementary students in the Intensive Learning Center (ILC) classrooms, which serve neurodiverse students. The counselor will focus on enhancing social-emotional development and addressing mental health needs, providing individual and group counseling, and working collaboratively with teachers, parents, and other specialists to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with a range of neurodiverse needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), severe communication disorders or delays, intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, neurological impairments and/or global developmental delays.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, or a related field.
• Current DESE licensure (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) as a School Counselor, Social Worker
• In-depth knowledge of child development and evidence-based counseling techniques
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams
• Strong communication and leadership

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with neurodiverse students
• Experience with Special Education guidelines including writing IEP goals
• Strong collaboration skills

Responsibilities

• Facilitating programming in conjunction with other SWS educators and ILC service providers.
• Facilitate reversed inclusion social skill groups: targeting ILC students, but including general ed students
• Design and lead SEL lessons tailored to the needs of neurodiverse students in the ILC classrooms
• Collaborate regularly with ILC teachers, special education staff, and related service providers to consult on strategies for supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral development of neurodiverse students..
• Provide ongoing coaching and support to Instructional Assistants (IAs) in the implementation of individualized behavioral and emotional support plans.
• Provide ongoing coaching on strategies for managing challenging behaviors, reinforcing positive behaviors, and fostering emotional regulation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time