School Adjustment Counselor

New Bedford Public School District•New Bedford, MA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The School Adjustment Counselor will assist students with academic learning and academic achievement by providing strategic services that identify and address the social-emotional and behavioral concerns as well as environmental issues that interfere with the educational process. Working with parents/guardians, teachers, school principal/principal’s designee and community based resources; the school adjustment counselor will implement strategies that promote students’ positive school adjustment and overall well-being.

Requirements

Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, preferred.
Evidence of specific professional study in the field of special education, psychology, social work, including educational administration and supervision.
Certification in proper area and level by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Elementary (School Adjustment Counselor).
Licensed or eligible for licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
Preferred fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese.
Three years’ experience in the area of Special Education/ Student Services.
Three to Five years’ experience in the area of mental health/clinical social work practice.
Knowledge/experience using the new educator evaluation system.
Experience designing and implementing positive behavioral intervention supports and strategies, social/emotional curriculum, behavior improvement programs and clinical support to students and families.
Experience working collaboratively with community based mental health agencies, Department of Child & Family Services, Department of Youth Services, Department of Mental Health, and other community programs to integrate services for students in the New Bedford Public Schools.
Experience with facilitating Families and Community Together with Schools (FACTS) Teams in the schools; and develop plans for expansion to all schools.
CPI trained.
Excellent communication skills- written, verbal and non-verbal.
Experience in crisis intervention and SOS (Signs of Suicide) – and participate on the district’s Crisis Response Team.
Excellent interpersonal and social skills with colleagues, district staff, families and community.
Excellent Work Attendance.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree from an accredited college or university
Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese

Responsibilities

Identify and assess academic and behavioral concerns through analysis of factors impinging on student adjustment including factors in the home, school, and community
Serve as a liaison between families and the school to positively promote collaborative processes in educational planning for students by encouraging family participation in the school setting
Educate and encourage students and families regarding the importance of daily school attendance, high school graduation, and college and career planning at all levels (pk-12).
Determine and implement appropriate therapeutic strategies to effect changes in behavioral and social interactions of students and their families.
Assist in the development of a Response to Intervention (RTI) model for the school to include both in-school and community supports and interventions, to address academic, social, emotional, and behavioral learning.
Counselors serve as members on building student assistance/support teams, which meet to share information and develop strategies to meet the specific needs of individual students.
Provide individual and group therapeutic counseling (including anxiety support, social skills training, anger management, conflict resolution, etc.) to students and their families
Coordinate and participate in the school’s bullying prevention program (Olweus)
Develop and implement behavioral improvement plans as needed that meets the needs of the whole student (academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs).
Develop and implement school’s PBIS system; development, implementation, modeling, and tracking for a school-wide positive behavioral structure.
Conduct classroom meetings, psycho-educational/core value support groups, and classroom presentations on identified areas of concern for the students
Conduct lunch groups to foster and teach social skills.
Support students plan for, adjust to and develop skills for successful transitions in school, between grades/levels, and post-secondary.
Support Special Education Facilitator with IEP monitoring and compliance as needed.
Responsibilities may at times include chairing or coordinating IEP meetings and completing required paperwork
Complete IEP goals, objectives and progress reports for students with counseling and transitional services in their IEP.
Assist in coordination of the 504 process and monitoring compliance of the 504 plans.
Provide family educational workshops on identified issues related to child development, stress reduction, discipline and safety, and teacher/family/student communication
Conduct Home Assessments/Visits as required and needed.
Demonstrate cultural competency, including awareness that variation in family forms exists
Collaborate with school staff and other school system personnel in implementing strategies to promote student learning
Participate as a member school based teams to develop interventions for promoting students’ academic success
Serve on both school-based and system wide committees to address educational issues, adjustment problems, safety issues, and program development for students
Provide de-escalation and crisis intervention services
Provide social work case management for students and families
Provide translations services as needed
Provide staff consultation to support and promote student participation in the learning process
Conduct staff development on issues related to social-emotional-behavioral-environmental factors that impact learning
Develop programs to address parent/guardian participation in the school and student engagement in the educational process
Maintain required clinical records and submit appropriate documents for statistical reports with adherence to program standards in school social work
Complete risk assessments on referred students
Support functional behavior assessments on identified students
Complete student classroom observations to determine needs and support services
Serve as liaison with community agencies to foster communication between schools, parents/guardians, and the community
Locate and mobilize community resources to support the educational program
Attend meetings and professional development activities as required
Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor of Clinical/Behavioral Services or the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education & Student Services.