Long-term Substitute Guidance Counselor Billerica Public Schools - 3.6 Billerica, MA Job Details Full-time $120 a day 1 day ago Qualifications School Counseling Certification Full Job Description This is long-term substitute position and is available until approximately December 17, 2026 and pays $120 per day. This position does not include employee benefits. The school counselor serves as a student advocate, supporting students' academic, personal/social, and career success. The counselor works under the supervision of the Director of Guidance and the building Principal.

Primary FunctionsDeliver the school counseling curriculum in a classroom settingAssist students with academic planning, career planning, and personal/social developmentProvide individual and small-group counseling in a variety of settingsConsult and collaborate with teachers, staff, and parents to understand and meet student needsMake appropriate referrals of students and parents to outside agencies and specialistsParticipate in activities that contribute to the effective operation of the schoolPursue continuous professional growth to stay current in the fieldPromote understanding and appreciation of diverse populations and culturesMonitor and advise students and parents on progress toward promotion/graduationPrepare students for transition to the next level, high school, and post-high-school activitiesJob ResponsibilitiesA. CounselingProvide individual planning sessions in academic planning/success, career awareness, and social-emotional development, aligned with graduation objectivesLead goal-oriented group counseling sessions addressing identified student needs (e.g., academic skill building, social skill development, career awareness, conflict resolution, family issues, healthy decision-making)Support students' transition from middle school to high school and to post-secondary optionsInterpret test results, student data, and other assessments appropriately within the counseling contextProvide individual counseling in response to student requestsB. ConsultingProvide information to students, parents, staff, administration, and the community to support students' academic, career, and social developmentTake a leadership role in integrating counseling content into curriculum, staff development, and parent education programsAssist parents in addressing school-related problems and issuesRefer students and parents, as needed, to appropriate specialists, programs, or outside agenciesInform students and parents of relevant test results and their implications for educational and career planningC. CoordinatingFacilitate liaison and coordination among school activities/resources and communication between home, school, community agencies, and business/industryAdvocate for equal access to programs and services for all studentsPlan and coordinate programs such as career fairs, college fairs, scholarships, and other extensions of the counseling curriculumCoordinate parent education programs supporting smooth transitions (elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and post-high-school planning)D. Curriculum ManagementDesign, deliver, evaluate, and revise a planned, sequential, developmentally appropriate school counseling curriculum covering academic success, career awareness/planning, and personal/social growthDeliver curriculum systematically using diverse strategies and settingsFacilitate instruction in collaboration with school and community resourcesE. Individual PlanningDevelop and evaluate high school and post-high-school plans annually through individual planning, resulting in a career/education plan for each studentAddress curriculum objectives appropriate to each grade levelF. ManagingEstablish a planning calendar for program activitiesPlan, implement, maintain, and evaluate systems that support, maintain, and improve the school counseling programCommunicate the school counseling program to students, parents, staff, and the communityDevelop and maintain technology skills and participate in professional developmentG. Accountability & Data-Driven Decision-MakingUse data to document the results of strategies and interventions aimed at improving student academic performanceH. School SystemParticipate in school decision-making and activities that support effective school operationCollaborate with other professionals to enhance student educationCommunicate with administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students regarding the counseling program's role in the schoolI. ProfessionalismAdhere to ethical standards of state and national school counselor associationsFollow preferred practices prescribed by state and national school counselor associationsDemonstrate knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to school counselingPursue ongoing personal growth and professional developmentQualificationsCertified by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a Guidance CounselorGraduate degree in School Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or a related field