School Adjustment Counselor

About the role

The School Counselors, Adjustment Counselors, and City Connects Coordinators will work with the principal to schedule a presentation to the school staff and administrators about the school's student support services and their roles and responsibilities by October 1st of each year. This includes the referral process for all staff to use.

Responsibilities

• Implement the elementary, middle, and high school student development curriculum.
• Guide individuals and groups of students through the successful transition from grade to grade and level to level.
• Counsel individuals and small groups of students toward academic, social, and emotional growth.
• Consult with and train teachers, parents, and staff regarding student needs.
• Work with other counselors and City Connects coordinators to refer students who have barriers to learning and their parents to special programs, specialists, and outside agencies.
• Participate in and facilitate the problem-solving process (STAT).
• Participate in the planning and evaluation of the counseling program.
• Pursue continuous professional growth.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or Counseling.
• Certification (Initial License) as a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor by the Massachusetts Department of Education at the appropriate grade level (elementary, middle, or high).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of theoretical frameworks of intellectual, social, and emotional development.
• Familiarity with philosophy, principles, and practices in social work or counseling.
• Familiarity with mental health and emotional impairments including learning disorders affecting student achievement.
• Familiarity with prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in students.
• Experience with crisis management and intervention.
• Knowledge of medical conditions and medication related to physical disabilities and learning disorders.

Professional Responsibility

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain records consistent with ethical and legal guidelines.
• Operate within the federal and state laws and the established district and school procedures and policies.
• Provide support for other school and district programs and personnel.
• Attend district professional development and meetings.
• Keep informed of current professional trends.
• Utilizes computers effectively in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Pursue professional growth.

Benefits

The Springfield Public Schools is a cultural gem in Western Massachusetts that is committed to providing a learning environment that enhances students' knowledge and critical thinking skills. The district is the 3rd largest in Massachusetts and has over 44 languages spoken and over 60 countries represented by both students and staff. The district fosters a positive and professional environment where people feel valued, respected, supported, seen, and heard. It is committed to equity and excellence, offering competitive salaries and benefits, numerous professional development opportunities, and career advancement and educational pipeline programs.

Schedule

The School Counselors, Adjustment Counselors, and City Connects Coordinators will work with the principal to schedule a presentation to the school staff and administrators about the school's student support services and their roles and responsibilities by October 1st of each year. This includes the referral process for all staff to use.

Pay

Competitive salaries and benefits are offered by the Springfield Public Schools, which also provides numerous cutting-edge professional development opportunities for all staff.

Contact Information

If you believe you have what it takes to join our team, please contact Carmen Molina-Figueroa at molina-figueroac@springfieldpublicschools.com. For more information about the position or assistance with matching your skills to a position, please reach out to her.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Sex Nondiscrimination Policy

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual 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.