School Adjustment Counselor

Holyoke Public Schools • Holyoke, MA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The School Adjustment Counselor supports the social, emotional, and academic success of Opportunity Academy students. Through strong relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners, the counselor helps address barriers to attendance, engagement, and credit attainment. This role provides individualized support that builds on student strengths, promotes belonging and well-being, and helps students progress toward graduation and their goals beyond high school.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Massachusetts licensure as a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor; SEI endorsement preferred.
• Commitment to ensuring academic success, belonging, and equitable opportunities for all students.
• Ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively with students, parents, caregivers, staff, and community partners.
• Knowledge of adolescent development, mental health, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed practices.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply student performance data to intervention planning and support for instructional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, and ability to work collaboratively.
• Experience working in an urban setting preferred.
• Experience working with diverse student populations preferred.
• Experience in alternative education preferred.
• Bilingual applicants (English/Spanish) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Nice To Haves

• SEI endorsement preferred.
• Experience working in an urban setting preferred.
• Experience working with diverse student populations preferred.
• Experience in alternative education preferred.
• Bilingual applicants (English/Spanish) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling to address social, emotional, behavioral, and personal needs that affect students’ participation and success in school.
• Provide counseling services required by IEPs and Section 504 plans, monitor progress toward goals, and support access for students who need counseling without a formal plan.
• Support students in developing emotional regulation, problem-solving, healthy relationships, and self-advocacy skills through culturally responsive, trauma-informed approaches.
• Provide crisis intervention and coordinate safety planning and follow-up support in accordance with district procedures.
• Support students returning from hospitalization, juvenile justice settings, other facilities, or extended absences.
• Develop individualized re-entry plans in collaboration with students, families, school staff, and outside providers.
• Build trusting relationships with parents and caregivers to strengthen their understanding of student needs and their participation in planning and support.
• Help students and families identify strengths, access community resources, and address barriers to attendance, engagement, and academic success.
• Conduct home visits to better understand student circumstances, strengthen family connections, and coordinate support.
• Serve as a liaison among home, school, and community providers, ensuring appropriate communication, referrals, and follow-up.
• Provide families and staff with information and consultation related to mental health, behavior support, and social-emotional development.
• Facilitate student support team meetings and participate in case conferences to identify student needs, establish responsibilities, implement interventions, and monitor progress.
• Collaborate with teachers, primary persons, administrators, special education staff, and other support personnel to coordinate services across OA programs and assigned sites.
• Help school personnel understand how physical, social, emotional, and psychological factors affect student learning and engagement.
• Partner with staff to develop positive behavior supports and classroom strategies that strengthen student participation and belonging.
• Collaborate with guidance counselors and academic staff to develop course loads and support plans aligned with student needs, credit attainment, and graduation goals.
• Participate in IEP and Section 504 meetings and contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate goals, accommodations, and services.
• Maintain accurate and timely student records, counseling service logs, progress reports, and documentation of family outreach and referrals.
• Track counseling participation, service delivery, and student progress to identify gaps in access and adjust support.
• Use attendance, engagement, behavioral, and academic data to inform intervention planning and collaboration with instructional teams.
• Protect student confidentiality and follow applicable ethical, mandated reporting, and district requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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