Long Term Substitute Guidance Counselor (3337)

The Natick Public Schools Seeks a

LTS Guidance Counselor - Natick High School

Start Date: ASAP-end of 26-27 SY

We invite you to explore a career with Natick Public Schools!

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated. We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world.

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths-based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

Job Title

School Counselor (Interim)

Location

Natick High School

Reports To

School Counseling Admin

Work days /FTE

183 days/1.0 FTE

Salary/

Benefits

Salary and benefits per the Educators Association of Natick Unit A Contract

Benefits Eligible?

Yes

Profile of a Natick Educator

Job Goal

A School Counselor at Natick High School is responsible for supporting students' academic, personal/social, and postsecondary development throughout their high school experience, and for building meaningful relationships with students and families that help students identify their strengths, navigate challenges, and plan for life after graduation.

Education

Masters Degree in School Counseling, Education or related Field

Qualifications

MA DESE Licensure as a School Guidance Counselor

Experience working with adolescents in a school setting preferred

Strong communication, organization, collaboration, and interpersonal skills

Ability to manage a full caseload across all four grade levels, including transitions and graduation milestones

Commitment to student advocacy, equity, inclusion, and the success of all students

Essential Duties

Provide postsecondary and career planning to all students, including college and job application support, career exploration, financial aid guidance, community service, and military pathways

Deliver guidance seminars and structured programming to all students on academic planning, graduation requirements, and postsecondary readiness

Support academic planning, course selection, scheduling, and progress toward graduation for a caseload of students across all four grade levels

Build proactive, ongoing relationships with students and families to support informed decision-making throughout high school

Coordinate academic 504 plans for caseload students

Serve as a responsive resource for students navigating academic, social, or emotional challenges, connecting them with appropriate support as needed

Collaborate with administrators, teachers, nurses, special educators, school social workers, psychologists, and building-based support programs

Skills

Strong knowledge of postsecondary planning, career readiness, and college/financial aid processes

Ability to deliver proactive, universal support to a full caseload of students

Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

Ability to build trusting relationships with students and families

Sound professional judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality

Collaborative, team-oriented approach to student support

Physical Demands

The physical demands listed below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Moving throughout classrooms, school, grounds, offices, or off-site locations, including occasional rapid movement across even or uneven surfaces.

Remaining stationary for extended periods and operating productivity tools such as computers, iPads, printers, and assistive technology.

Reading materials from screens, handwritten documents, or printed text, with or without visual aids.

Positioning oneself to access and maintain files, materials, and resources.

Communicating effectively in person, via video conference, by telephone, or in writing to ensure accurate understanding and collaboration.

Observing details at close range to maintain safety and support students.

Multitasking and responding to multiple demands from various individuals.

Supporting students in developing life skills such as eating, cleaning, and toileting as needed.

Occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.

Working in environments with moderate to loud noise levels.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application

Rating of education and experience

Oral interviews

Reference check

Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required

Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.