Elementary School Counselor - Springfield Public Schools

As members of the Department of Student Support Services, School Counselors provide a comprehensive developmental guidance program, which meets the academic, personal, social, and career development of their assigned students in grades 6 – 8.  School Counselors provide and support the delivery of specific skills and information in a proactive, preventative manner to ensure that all students have the opportunity to achieve school success.  School Counselors collaborate with other student support services personnel and other school staff in the delivery of services.

1.  Responsible to the Principal working in conjunction with the Director of Student Support Services. 

2.  Implement a Comprehensive School Counseling Program which addresses the Counseling Standards and Student Priorities for grades 6 – 12.

      a.  Conduct student development (guidance curriculum) lessons in the

           classroom and in large groups.

      b.  Facilitate the integration of the student development (guidance)

           curriculum into the educational curricula.

      c.  Select topics and resources consistent with school identified

           objectives.

      d.  Conduct orientation activities for students new to the school.

      e.  Provide elementary to middle school and middle to high school

           transitional activities.

      f.  Assist student with developing educational and career goals.

      g. Provide school-to-work guidance activities using resources,

          e.g., Choices Explorer, Career Information System, and the

          Graduate Profile Planner/Planning Guide for the middle school.

      h. Provide guidance for middle school  of choice planning and application

          process.

      i. Interpret standardized test results.  

3.  Conduct structured, goal-oriented counseling sessions in response to identified needs relative to achievement and school success of individuals and groups of students. 

      a.  Counsel whole class, small groups and individual students.

      b.  Use the MA Curriculum Frameworks and relevant student

           achievement data in advising students. 

4.  Consult with and serve as a resource for teachers, staff, and parents regarding the developmental needs of students.

         a.  Conduct and facilitate conferences with teachers, students, and

              parents. 

         b.  Model appropriate behavior with student, parent, and colleague

              interactions.

         c.  Maintain records to document interactions, interventions, and

              decisions. 

5.  Refer students and their parents to community agencies, programs, or

     specialists as appropriate.

         a. Maintain a comprehensive list of district and community resources. 

         b. Consult and coordinate with in-district and community agencies. 

         c. Consult with school staff members for appropriate student

             placement, e.g., regular education, English Language Learners,

             special programs. 

6.   Operate as an advocate with all students utilizing skills that respect

       issues of cultural and ethnic diversity and equity for every student and

      family.

7.  Participate in the evaluation and revision of the school counselor

     program.

         a.  Annually review the guidance program.

         b.  Plan the guidance program calendar. 

         c.  Participate in developing a budget to support the counselor

              program.

         d.  Assess counselors’ role in supporting the school improvement

              plan.

8.  Fulfill professional responsibilities.

          a.  Maintain confidentiality. 

          b.  Maintain records consistent with ethical and legal guidelines. 

          c.  Perform responsibilities in an organized, accurate, timely and

               dependable manner. 

          d.  Assist students with course selections, which are the most

               challenging for their high school and career plans. 

          e.  Operate within the federal and state laws and the established

               district and school procedures and policies. 

           f.  Provide support for other school and district programs and

               personnel. 

           g. Attend district professional development and meetings. 

           h. Keep informed of current professional trends. 

           i.  Utilize computers effectively in the performance of assigned

               duties and responsibilities.

           j.  Pursue professional growth.

           k. Complete other duties as assigned by the Principal. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

1.    Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university. 

2.    Certification as a School Counselor by the Massachusetts

       Department of Education. 

3.    Preference will be given to those with advanced degree training in

       guidance. 

4.    Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 

5.    Knowledge of theories of intellectual, social, and emotional

       development. 

6.    Familiarity with philosophy, principles, and practices in school

      guidance counseling. 

 7.   Familiarity with mental health and emotional impairments including

       learning disorders affecting student achievement. 

8.    Familiarity with prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in students. 

9.    Experience in crisis management and intervention. 

10.  Experience with a comprehensive school counseling program.

11.  Familiarity with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. 

12.  Familiarity with the American School Counselor Association

       Framework for School Counseling Programs. 

13.  Ten hours at least beyond the bachelor’s degree in counseling or an

       allied subject such as the psychology of tests and measurements. 

14.  Successful teaching experience in the secondary schools is preferred.

       Previous employment experience in a counseling position in a school,

       community agency or social service organization may be considered in

       lieu of successful teaching experience in the secondary schools with

       the approval of the Superintendent of Schools.

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, handicap, or military service, 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.  

Reach out to Carmen Molina-Figueroa, the Human Resources Analyst, at 413-787-7100 ext. 55394, the email address is molina-figueroac@springfieldpublicschools.com. She will be happy to answer any questions that you have.  

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools’ Title IX Coordinator, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both.

The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Katie O’Sullivan, Senior Administrator of Human Resources, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55428, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com.

Springfield Public School’s sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination

To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com