School Adjustment Counselor - Long-Term Substitute

Gardner Public Schools•Gardner, MA

About The Position

The School Adjustment Counselor (SAC) provides social, emotional, and therapeutic support to students and facilitates the diagnosis and treatment of learning, behavioral, and emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and autism. Services may involve meetings with parents, teachers, administrators, and community health providers to address concerns affecting students’ success at school. The SAC works collaboratively with the counseling team to implement a comprehensive school-wide counseling program. At least 60% of the position’s time is devoted to counseling students. This is a temporary long-term substitute position, expected to cover an absence lasting several months. Salary and benefits are provided according to the MTA/GEA contract. Evaluation is according to the MTA/GEA contract.

Requirements

Massachusetts Certificate as a School Adjustment Counselor.
Master’s degree in counseling or an appropriate field.

Responsibilities

Maintain accurate and appropriate records.
Collect, analyze, and use data to develop, implement, and evaluate the school counseling program.
Provide classroom lessons and individual and group counseling for students, devoting at least 60% of working time to student counseling.
Work with the school counseling team to implement evidence-based practices, including PBIS, CBT, and Trauma Informed Care.
Provide classroom consultation and in-service training to teachers and administrators on strategies and evidence-based approaches that support students’ development.
Coordinate trainings for teachers and students on topics such as bullying, substance use prevention, and suicide prevention.
Participate on transition teams for students returning to school after hospitalization, facilitate positive adjustment, and provide transitional counseling as needed.
Meet with families and staff to address needs and services for students on the caseload and other cases identified by the building principal.
Work with state agencies, including DYS, DCF, and juvenile court probation services, to provide services to students and families and assist with student tracking.
Assist in developing Functional Behavioral Assessments.
Develop behavior plans for students with IEPs and 504 plans as needed.
Develop counseling-related IEP goals and participate in team meetings.
Act as the education liaison for students whose IEP services are delivered solely by the SAC.
Attend and provide input at appropriate scheduled IEP, 504, and RTI meetings.
Assist the school system’s Crisis Team.
Serve on school-wide MTSS SEL teams.
Collaborate with wrap-around services.
Provide crisis response and risk assessment for students in acute crisis, as determined by the school principal.
Prepare reports for the Director, Principals, and other administrators as needed.
Attend district committees and meetings as determined by the Director or administration.
Maintain professional competence by attending staff development programs and other professional activities.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of Pupil Personnel Services or another appropriate administrator.