School Counselor (Middle School - 6th Grade)

The School Counselor supports scholars by providing counseling in school, based on scholar need. He/She works to develop and implement creative interventions focusing on helping scholars to find social, emotional, and academic success. The School Counselor is committed to the Argosy Collegiate Charter School Board of Trustees’ policies regarding equity, human rights and cross cultural understanding and reports directly to the MS/HS Student Services Director. The school counselors follow the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) model of a school counseling program. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Professional degree from an accredited college
• MA DESE School Adjustment Counseling licensure preferred, or through appropriate licensing authorities
• Ability and experience to effectively write and communicate
• Ability to direct and delegate responsibilities to others when appropriate
• Experience teaching and/or coordinating various programs
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Ability to communicate ideas and directives clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Effective, active listening skills
• Organizational, creative and problem-solving skills
• Ability to oversee process to engage potential volunteers and other community supports
• Ability and experience working effectively and well with staff, students, families, and community organizations

REPORTS TO: MS/HS Director of Student Support

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Using district/school data, design a measurable, strategic plan for the systemic delivery of a comprehensive school counseling program, including targeted interventions designed to address inequities and close achievement gaps.
2. Deliver a standards-based counseling curriculum that supports all students in developing academic/technical competencies, career/workplace readiness, and the personal/social skills necessary for success in higher education, the workplace, and other postsecondary options.
3. Foster school wide involvement in the design, planning, and advancement of the school counseling program to ensure coherent delivery through the coordination of school counseling activities with academic curricula, classroom instruction, and services across grade levels.
4. Contribute to a college and career ready culture within the school by providing classroom activities, group counseling, or individual sessions that promote equity and access by supporting all students to prepare for, participate in, and succeed in rigorous academic programs.
5. Contribute to development, coordination and implementation of effective strategies for grade to-grade, school-to-school and school-to-post-secondary transitions for all students; assess the effectiveness of transition planning in positively impacting student achievement.
6. Provide all students with timely exposure to a wide range of postsecondary options; regularly provides feedback on all students’ post-secondary plans; and utilize various career assessment techniques to assist students in understanding and developing their career abilities and interests.
7. Seek out and implement evidence-based counseling theories and techniques to deliver short term counseling interventions to resolve immediate conflicts/problems, intervene in school-specific situations that disrupt learning, and respond to crisis events; assess the effectiveness of interventions and responses in positively impacting student achievement.
8. Coordinate and support families with securing counseling services through outside agencies.
9. Provide counseling support to scholars based on scholar needs, as determined by IEP team, RtI team, or through counseling referrals; develop and track goals through the IEP process.
10. Support Bullying Prevention and Intervention Planning initiatives, as well upholding district priorities in ensuring equity and access for all.
11. Develop programming to promote family and community engagement and transitions
12. Assist building a positive community with incoming staff, scholars and their families.
13. Develop strong community connections to support families and scholars.
14. Work with building administration to develop interventions to decrease ISS/OSS through family support, community outreach, staff awareness and positive programming.
15. Lead the organization, development, and facilitation of safety planning for scholars, based on scholar need.
16. Lead the organization, development, and facilitation of behavior management planning, utilizing strategies specific to an individual scholar by reviewing and monitoring behavior referral data on a weekly basis
17. Support McKinney-Vento Act by assisting in identification and support of Homeless Students.
18. Assist in crisis response support based on scholar or building needs.
19. Other duties as directed by school administration, as needed.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (MTRS, 403(B))
• Tuition Reimbursement ($2,000 Annually)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources
• Longevity and Performance Bonuses
• Salary Range: $60,000 - $95,000