Long Term Sub: School Counselor

DURATION: The position is expected to start Mid-March through the end of the school year. PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: To assist the individual student, through individual and group counseling, to gain insight into the understanding of him/herself, his/her environment and his/her needs so that choices and decisions made will culminate in an effective and satisfying personal, academic and technical/vocational life. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Counsels individual students and groups in order to: Assist students in developing self-understanding and self-acceptance Assist students in clarifying their own values, goals and objectives (both long and short term) Assist students in developing decision making skills Assist students in attaining “life” skills (survival) Assist students in the development of an awareness of the world of work and in the utilization of school and community resources Assist students in academic and career program planning so that they attain the necessary training and skills needed for entering the world of work Assist students with all academic, technical and personal/social difficulties •Analyzes anecdotal records and other psychometric data to aid students in decision making •Reviews adjustment and progress of all assigned students •Confers with teachers and administrators on individual students when necessary •Consults with parents when necessary •Refers students for evaluation under Chapter 766, acts as intermediary between teachers and Special Needs Department in referrals, prepares CET documents and participates in actual CET meeting •Maintains cumulative folder and records on individual students •Handles transfer of student records •Keeps accurate record of all students who withdraw from school •Refer students and parents to Community Mental Health Professionals and School Adjustment Counselors if case deems appropriate. •Establishes and maintains contacts with other secondary schools, post- secondary training institutions, Armed Forces and community agencies and organizations for the purpose of information and referral •Helps maintain and disseminates career information to students •Works with personnel in feeder school on recruitment and enrollment procedures •Disseminates enrollment information to students in feeder schools •Provides financial aid information to college-bound students •Administers admissions exam to prospective students •Prepares students’ schedules for upcoming school year; resolves scheduling conflicts •Provides all incoming students with schedules and places students into appropriate exploratory or technical program •Attends meetings related to guidance and school-wide issues •Conducts group counseling sessions based upon student needs and mutual agreement with Guidance Director •Maintains own professional development •Participates in Hospitalization Team and Student Assistance Team Meetings •Attends weekly case meetings •Administration of the career aptitude inventory ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: •Is directly responsible to the Director of School Counseling and Health Services •Must work cooperatively with other counselors, teachers, administrators, secretarial staff and aides, parents and the community •Supervises the work of counselor trainees, students placed on co-op, some student projects and, at times, secretarial staff QUALIFICATIONS: •Master’s Degree in Counseling with a supervised clinical practicum •Certification as a Counselor by the Massachusetts Department of Education •Must be capable of relating to and working with both adults and young people •Should possess the following qualities: sensitivity, understanding, patience, good communication skills and good organizational skills