What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sunita Williams School-.4 Part-Time School Counselor position at Sunita L. Williams Elementary School?
Needham Public Schools is an inclusive, dynamic, and multicultural community seeking an energetic, skilled, and compassionate Part-Time (0.4 FTE) School Counselor to join the team at the Sunita Williams Elementary School. To enhance our goals of supporting every child, Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
About Needham Public Schools (NPS): The Needham Public Schools has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency, equity, and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5,500 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias, bullying, and hurtful acts that demean and diminish. Read more about our equity work here.
Job Description
The Part-Time School Counselor will provide direct and in-direct support and counseling services to elementary students in the Intensive Learning Center (ILC) classrooms, which serve neurodiverse students. The counselor will focus on enhancing social-emotional development and addressing mental health needs, providing individual and group counseling, and working collaboratively with teachers, parents, and other specialists to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with a range of neurodiverse needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), severe communication disorders or delays, intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, neurological impairments and/or global developmental delays.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions or duties listed below are representative examples and may not be exhaustive. Other duties may be assigned.
- Facilitating programming in conjunction with other SWS educators and ILC service providers.
- Facilitate reversed inclusion social skill groups: targeting ILC students, but including general ed students
- Design and lead SEL lessons tailored to the needs of neurodiverse students in the ILC classrooms
- Collaborate regularly with ILC teachers, special education staff, and related service providers to consult on strategies for supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral development of neurodiverse students..
- Provide ongoing coaching and support to Instructional Assistants (IAs) in the implementation of individualized behavioral and emotional support plans.
- Provide ongoing coaching on strategies for managing challenging behaviors, reinforcing positive behaviors, and fostering emotional regulation.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, or a related field.
- Current DESE licensure (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) as a School Counselor, Social Worker
- In-depth knowledge of child development and evidence-based counseling techniques
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams
- Strong communication and leadership
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with neurodiverse students
- Experience with Special Education guidelines including writing IEP goals
- Strong collaboration skills
Compensation and Benefits:
Please review Unit Contract A and this page to learn more about employee compensation and benefits.
The Needham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, active military/veteran status, ancestry, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, and other administered programs and activities. In addition, students who are homeless or of limited English-speaking ability are protected from discrimination in accessing the course of study and other opportunities available through the schools.
Needham Public Schools has a strong commitment to equity. Candidates who also have a strong commitment to this work are encouraged to apply. For more information on our equity work please visit our equity website.
All positions are subject to the approval of the 2025-2026 Needham Public School budget by the Town of Needham.