High School Guidance Counselor

SUMMARY: Wakefield Memorial High School is in search of one 1.0FTE Guidance Counselor for the 2024-25 school year. The primary function of the School Guidance Counselor is to provide a comprehensive competency-based counseling program focused on the learning, personal/social, and career/vocational needs of all students. The Guidance Counselor provides support services to students, staff, and parents. Support services include referrals, counseling, assessment, diagnostics, and report writing. This work takes place at the school site, in other public buildings, and in private residences. Additional responsibilities include student rostering/scheduling, maintaining individual student Education Plans, and other related duties.

SALARY RANGE: Commensurate with experience per WPS Unit A contract

REPORTS TO: Director of Guidance and Building Principal

KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work or School Counseling
• MA License as School Counselor or eligible for licensure
• Prior experience working with students in a school counseling setting is preferred

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : The essential functions or duties listed below are illustrations of the type of work that is performed and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for by this position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for academic, personal and college/career counseling for all students on caseload.
• Responsible for scheduling students in appropriate courses
• Develop and lead developmental Guidance Curriculum
• Provide direct support service to individual students and small groups
• Complete assessments, referrals, and counseling with students and families
• Consult with other professional staff, outside agencies, and other organizations as needed
• Complete written reports promptly and accurately as needed or as requested by Principal or District Administrator
• Complete reports as required by Federal, State and local agencies
• Adhere to and support district policy, school guidelines, administrative rules, and directives
• Make him/herself available to all students seeking guidance and counseling services
• Facilitate outreach efforts to provide services to students, parents/guardians and staff
• Connect students, parents/guardians and staff with specialized referral agencies
• Understand, evaluate, and interpret academic performance data. Interpret information about students to the student, their parents/guardians, and staff
• Participate in team evaluation processes
• Conduct career and educational planning activities
• Create access to world of work and post-secondary program information
• Consult with students, parents and staff to assist students with academic/career planning
• Participate in professional devlopment activities promoted by the district
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Guidance, Principal or other District Administrators

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school staff, peers, parents, and community
• Knowledge and understanding of the Program of Studies and the ability to enforce its guidelines
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to carry out assigned tasks and solve problems
• Knowledge and understanding of the American School Counselor Association standards and curriculum guidelines
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations
• Ability to define problems, collect data, and establish facts to draw valid conclusions and exercise good judgment
• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in the educational field
• Ability to use professional literature, evidence-based research, and continuing education content to make practice decisions
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups including staff, parents and the general public
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with district level administrators, principals, staff and community members
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and manage several projects simultaneously
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district and DESE requirements and policies
• Understand confidentiality requirements regarding student records
• Ability/willingness to plan, coordinate, conduct and participate in ongoing professional and staff development