1 year Long Term Substitute Guidance Counselor (3288

Natick Public Schools Seeks a School Counselor

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 - 1 year) - 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:

• 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…