What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Outreach Counselor - Long Term Substitute position at Watertown Public Schools?
Position: Long-Term Substitute Community Outreach Counselor
Position Type: Full-time, Substitute, Temporary
Department: Student Services
Reports to: Director of Student Services
Location: Districtwide
Affiliation: WEA Unit A
*Please note: This is a long-term substitute temporary position*
Watertown Public Schools seeks an outstanding mental health professional who is passionate about education to serve as the District’s Community Outreach Counselor. The Community Outreach Counselor will work with guidance counselors, behavioral specialists, social workers, school adjustment counselors, and school administrators to identify and support students experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, school adjustment challenges. This position requires excellent spoken and written communications skills, the ability to connect across diverse cultures, and a strong commitment to educational equity for all students.
Responsibilities:
- Assess the needs of students and their families in collaboration with building based staff
- Support and strengthen home, school, and community relationships
- Work as the District’s community resources liaison, maintaining collaborative relationships with police, court, probation officers, therapists, physicians, and public agencies such as the Department of Children and Families
- Use data systems such as EWIS to collect and track data on student attendance, in order to provide timely intervention for children and families in need
- Assist families by identifying resources, providing information, referral and support, accessing and navigating multiple state systems and community resources.
- Consult and collaborate with other school personnel in gathering and giving information regarding students, and in establishing plans for interventions and supports, as needed
- Serve as a liaison between assigned schools and such agencies as social services, court services, and the police department regarding student truancy
- Initiate legal proceedings to enforce compulsory attendance laws; prepare information for formal hearings/court cases; and represent the school department in the courtroom.
- Serve as the District's McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison
- Conduct home visits for the purpose of gathering helpful information on a student’s background
- Serve as a resource for other school personnel regarding adjustment situations
- Serve as a member of the District’s Critical Incident Team
- Collaborate with teachers and other school-based staff as needed to promote student success
- Provide individual student and school-wide crisis intervention, as needed
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of Student Services
Minimum Qualifications:
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Certification as a School Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor/Counselor
- Fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, Pushtu, or other language, preferred
- Three years experience, preferred
- Master’s degree, preferred
- Valid driver’s license
Equal Opportunity Employer
Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.
