Guidance Counselor

Guidance Counselor Position: High School Guidance Counselor Position Type: Full Time Location: Franklin High School Reports to: Building Principal and Department Head Salary: As per FEA Teacher Contract This position qualifies for town benefits, including Health Insurance General Description: To help students overcome problems that impede learning and to assist them in making educational, occupational and life plans that hold promise further personal fulfillment as mature and responsible men and women. To work collaboratively with school personnel and parents to address student presenting problems and to assist with college and career readiness, educational and post-secondary planning and decision making. To communicate with administration all information that impacts students and the life of the school. Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understands role as school-based service provider and as a mandated reporter.
• Understands the concept of developmental guidance and provides students with instruction and support in the MA social-emotional learning standards.
• Develops curriculum for small group and whole class instruction in areas of identified need.
• Collaborates with parents/guardians to increase parents/guardian's understanding of and constructive participation in their child's education, managing their child's problems, and supporting access to available community-based resources.
• Consults and collaborates with school-based teams and administration in gathering and sharing information on students.
• Works with school-based teams on planning and establishing student actions plans and/or behavior plans.
• Understands that students do not maintain a right to confidentiality in school-based counseling.
• Consults and shares information regarding students with teachers, parents and administration whenever necessary.
• Consults with teachers, parents and administration on special educational needs of students with disabilities.
• Participates in Special Education and Section 504 evaluation process as assigned.
• Reports progress and completes all documentation associated with evaluation process and services provided to students within the mandated timelines.
• Works with school-based teams to assist with students in crisis.
• Review occupational, career and educational plans, and assist counselee to obtain appropriate information to make sensible choices
• Assist students in evaluating their aptitudes, abilities and limitations through the interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data, and worth with students in evolving education and occupation plans in terms of such evaluation.
• Review subject matter grades with counselee to assist him/her to determine subject sequences consistent with his plans and potentials
• Review academic, personal and social problems with counselee to assist him to explore reasons for difficulties and to arrive at realistic solutions
• Maintain contact with teachers where counselee has academic or classroom problems and coordinate efforts to assist the student.
• Assist entering students transferring from other schools to effect a smooth academic and social transition.
• Assist students terminating their education prior to graduation to assess their position realistically, encourage them to rethink their decision and assure them of the continued availability of guidance services after school leaving.
• Assist graduates and residents of Franklin with educational and vocational information and other guidance services.
• Make appropriate referrals for educational, personal and social assistance as indicated.
• Maintain contact and coordinate with agencies to whom referrals are made.
• Assist students with job and career concerns to develop an appropriate action plan.
• Plan appropriately for providing post secondary schools and employment agencies with significant information.
• Supervises the timely preparation and processing of college, scholarship and employment applications.
• Maintain student records in accordance with student record laws.
• Assist in the administration of group tests and compiling of test data.
• Assists with organization and implementation of all state and local assessments (e.g., MCAS, PSAT's, SAT's, etc.).
• Assist in follow-up and other survey activities.
• Be available, by appointment, for parent conference as needed.
• Assist in publicizing guidance activities to staff, school and community.
• Assist in other related duties as assigned.
• Collaborate with colleagues to examine data and plan curriculum and instruction to ensure equitable learning experiences
• Other related duties as assigned by building administrators

Qualifications Required:

• Massachusetts Department of Education Licensure as a School Guidance Counselor required
• Understanding of MA General Law and implementation in school-based practice
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Must successfully pass Criminal Offender (CORI) background check and national fingerprinting screening (CHRI)

We understand that our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the FPS community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. We are committed to reflecting that diversity in our staff. We strive to have the most diverse applicant pool possible; to that end, we encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply for any position at Franklin Public Schools. Franklin Public Schools is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment in accordance with state and federal law, including based on age, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, pregnancy-related status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual harassment, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information and/or disability.