Long-term Substitute Guidance Counselor

Billerica Public Schools

Billerica Memorial High School - Billerica, Massachusetts Job Details

Job ID:

5939017

Application Deadline:

Posted until filled

Posted:

Sep 24, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date:

Immediately

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 Functions

Deliver the school counseling curriculum in a classroom setting

Assist students with academic planning, career planning, and personal/social development

Provide individual and small-group counseling in a variety of settings

Consult and collaborate with teachers, staff, and parents to understand and meet student needs

Make appropriate referrals of students and parents to outside agencies and specialists

Participate in activities that contribute to the effective operation of the school

Pursue continuous professional growth to stay current in the field

Promote understanding and appreciation of diverse populations and cultures

Monitor and advise students and parents on progress toward promotion/graduation

Prepare students for transition to the next level, high school, and post-high-school activities

Job Responsibilities

A. Counseling

Provide individual planning sessions in academic planning/success, career awareness, and social-emotional development, aligned with graduation objectives

Lead 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 options

Interpret test results, student data, and other assessments appropriately within the counseling context

Provide individual counseling in response to student requests

B. Consulting

Provide information to students, parents, staff, administration, and the community to support students' academic, career, and social development

Take a leadership role in integrating counseling content into curriculum, staff development, and parent education programs

Assist parents in addressing school-related problems and issues

Refer students and parents, as needed, to appropriate specialists, programs, or outside agencies

Inform students and parents of relevant test results and their implications for educational and career planning

C. Coordinating

Facilitate liaison and coordination among school activities/resources and communication between home, school, community agencies, and business/industry

Advocate for equal access to programs and services for all students

Plan and coordinate programs such as career fairs, college fairs, scholarships, and other extensions of the counseling curriculum

Coordinate parent education programs supporting smooth transitions (elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and post-high-school planning)

D. Curriculum Management

Design, deliver, evaluate, and revise a planned, sequential, developmentally appropriate school counseling curriculum covering academic success, career awareness/planning, and personal/social growth

Deliver curriculum systematically using diverse strategies and settings

Facilitate instruction in collaboration with school and community resources

E. Individual Planning

Develop and evaluate high school and post-high-school plans annually through individual planning, resulting in a career/education plan for each student

Address curriculum objectives appropriate to each grade level

F. Managing

Establish a planning calendar for program activities

Plan, implement, maintain, and evaluate systems that support, maintain, and improve the school counseling program

Communicate the school counseling program to students, parents, staff, and the community

Develop and maintain technology skills and participate in professional development

G. Accountability & Data-Driven Decision-Making

Use data to document the results of strategies and interventions aimed at improving student academic performance

H. School System

Participate in school decision-making and activities that support effective school operation

Collaborate with other professionals to enhance student education

Communicate with administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students regarding the counseling program's role in the school

I. Professionalism

Adhere to ethical standards of state and national school counselor associations

Follow preferred practices prescribed by state and national school counselor associations

Demonstrate knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to school counseling

Pursue ongoing personal growth and professional development

Qualifications

Certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a Guidance Counselor

Graduate degree in School Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or a related field

Position Type:

Full-time