School Counselor High School - 1.0 FTE - SY 26/27

Wellesley Public Schools•Wellesley, MA

22h

About The Position

The primary role of a school counselor at Wellesley High School is to be academic and social/emotional advisor to students. The counselor's immediate responsibility is to help students experience success in Wellesley High School. In a broader sense the counselor's function is to encourage and facilitate the development of a student's talents, interests, and abilities during the high school years and beyond. The counselor assists the student in formulating, moving toward, and achieving realistic goals both short and long term. Nature and Scope: The school counselors report to the Director of Counseling. The school counselors help students develop and carry out their educational plans in high school and their educational and career plans for post-high school years. The school counselors provide general support to students as needed to assist them in their efforts to be successful in Wellesley High School.

Requirements

Must possess or be eligible for a MA DESE license in the appropriate subject area, at the appropriate grade level.
Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and possess a high level of capability with technology.
Diversity is a core value of WPS. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive school environment for all and seek to hire team members who will enrich our diversity.

Responsibilities

Counselors help students plan their academic programs.
Counselors, working closely with the students, their teachers and parents, and with administrators, help students resolve problems in their courses.
When the attempted resolution involves course changes, the counselor is actively involved in the mechanics of the process.
Counselors provide support to students and are available to assist them as they attempt to cope with developmental, academic, and personal concerns.
Counselors provide parents with advice and information about personal student issues, crisis intervention, and available support services.
Counselors maintain student records in accordance with state and federal regulations.
They must be prepared to interpret all available information about students to the student, their parents, and their teachers.
Counselors provide students with information about colleges and universities, specialized schools and programs, and other post secondary options and assist in the application process.
Counselors write recommendation letters for students and furnish these, along with high school transcripts, to schools, colleges, universities, prospective employers, and others, as requested.
Counselors greet and meet with college admissions personnel.
Counselors assist students and parents in seeking financial aid for further education.
Counselors assist local committees in making scholarship awards.
Counselors provide information to and advise students about educational, vocational and career testing.
Counselors, providing a wide variety of materials and resources, assist students in making occupational and career decisions.
Counselors develop educational assessments for Core Evaluation Team Meetings and serve as Core Team members.
Counselors assist high school drop-outs and graduates in developing and implementing educational, occupational and personal plans.
Counselors consult with Middle School staff regarding the High School transition and provide an orientation program for all eighth graders and their parents.
Counselors register new students and help them adjust to their new school and community.
Counselors assist and advise students who transfer during their high school years to another high school.
Counselors work closely with the High School administrators in curriculum scheduling and planning.
Counselors refer, when appropriate, students and parents to Special Services within the High School and to professional individuals and agencies outside the High School.
Each counselor assumes some individual responsibilities according to personal expertise and interests.
Counselors make a continual effort to strengthen their guidance and counseling skills by taking courses, attending conferences, visiting colleges, schools and places of employment, and by other appropriate means.
Counselors serve as advocates for students.
Must be able to assist in the protection of students and school property, assist the principal in fire and other emergency drills as required by law and School Committee policy.