Social Worker/School Counselor

Position Overview
The Amherst Middle School is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a School Social Worker / School Counselor to work collaboratively within a team of Special Education Teachers, School Counselors, School Psychologist, and other education professionals serving students within the 5th and 6th grades for the 2024-2025 school year. The ideal candidate would be a clinical social worker certified as a school counselor or school social worker. If a certification is not held, a Statement of Eligibility would be requried. These students have a range of needs and identifications including, but not limited to, Other Health Impairment and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The staff will be responsible for ensuring implementation of effective social emotional and behavioral skill building, mental health understanding, goal setting, and crisis management in accordance with evidence-based practices in the school setting.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Consultation with team members regarding behavior plans, mental health needs and approaches, curriculum modifications, accommodations, social skills, and provide staff with resources, tools, and in-class modeling of techniques.
• Oversight of and consultation to school staff regarding programming and IEP implementation for students identified in the program and in a Tier II consultation model in collaboration with program case manager.
• Advise, counsel, and support students regarding a variety of needs.
• Positive Behavior Support Plan development and oversight.
• Willingness to work collaboratively and effectively communicate with multi-disciplinary teams in development of student programs.
• Provide consultative services to parents, teachers, and other educational personnel.
• In connection with guidance counselor and special ed case manager the candidate will provide training as needed, which may include in the moment and proactive staff trainings on general proactive and reactive strategies for all students.

Qualifications and Skills:
Required

• Must possess a Master's degree and be certified by the New Hampshire Department of Education as a School Social Worker (0049) or School Counselor (0040). If certification is not held, a Statement of Eligibility is requried. 
• 3-5 years of successful experience working with students in a school setting who have significant social/emotional needs or previous counselor / social work experience.

Preferred

• Knowledge of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) models, such as CASEL, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) frameworks
• Behavior and Crisis Management Experience
• Strong understanding of children's developmental needs and impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 
• Calm and consistent leadership skills
• Demonstrated commitment to a collaborative team approach.
• Strong coordination/organizational skills
• Experience working within school settings. 
• Experience with Middle School Students

All inquiries should be directed to:
Kristen Gauthier, Principal
Amherst Middle School
14 Cross Road
Amherst, NH  03031
E-mail:  kgauthier@sau39.org
603-673-8944
 
Additional information about our district, school, and community, as well as this position, is available by visiting the School Administrative Unit 39 (SAU 39) web site: www.sau39.org. We welcome your inquiry. 
The Amherst School District does not discriminate in its education programs, activities or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, pregnancy, language, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetics or veteran, marital or citizenship status.  This policy is in accordance with state and federal laws, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Genetics Information Nondiscrimination Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and RSA 354-A.