Long Term Substitute - College and Career Counselor

College & Career Counselor

This is a temporary position, 8/27/26-12/23/26

The College & Career Counselor works in collaboration with the Director of College & Career Readiness and the Somerville High School Counseling Department to support students in postsecondary planning and career readiness. The counselor assists in the continuous evaluation, development, and implementation of a comprehensive and proactive college and career counseling program that supports equitable access to postsecondary opportunities for all students at Somerville High School.

The College & Career Counselor supports students and families through the college application, financial aid, scholarship, career exploration, and workforce development processes while fostering a student-centered, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

The essential functions or responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Manage a caseload of students in support of postsecondary planning and career readiness
• Conduct individual meetings with students and families regarding college and career planning
• Guide students in developing balanced and appropriate college lists
• Communicate with students, families, school counselors, and teachers regarding the college and career planning process as needed
• Review college applications, essays, resumes, and supporting application materials
• Monitor and remind students regarding timely submission of applications, financial aid materials, and scholarship opportunities
• Support students in the scholarship application process
• Provide workforce development coaching, including resume review and interview preparation
• Support students in understanding and selecting career training and workforce development programs
• Provide college, career, and postsecondary information aligned with students' aspirations, interests, and abilities
• Collaborate closely with the School Counseling Department and college and career readiness staff
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of student interactions and postsecondary planning activities
• Track, analyze, and report on data related to student success indicators, including FAFSA/MASFA completion, college visits, and counseling participation
• Manage student applications and supporting documentation through Naviance and other college and career readiness platforms
• Arrange, coordinate, and chaperone college tour field trips and related activities
• Plan and facilitate postsecondary workshops and presentations for students in classroom and group settings
• Plan and facilitate postsecondary informational events and workshops for families
• Support successful student transition to postsecondary education and first-year college experiences
• Participate in professional development to remain current with college and career counseling practices and trends
• Participate in ongoing meetings with supervisors to ensure counseling practices remain aligned with current legal, ethical, and professional standards established by NACAC, ACA, and ASCA
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the core responsibilities of the position

Qualifications

• Appropriate Department of Elementary and Secondary Educator's license in the field or subject for this position
• DESE SEI endorsement Required
• Experience in college counseling, particularly with low-income and first-generation college students, preferred
• Experience supporting postsecondary planning and workforce readiness initiatives preferred
• Bilingual Educator Preferred

Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills

• Knowledge of college admissions, financial aid, scholarship, and career readiness processes
• Understanding of postsecondary planning strategies and student support practices
• Ability to use student data and outcome measures to inform decision-making and program improvement
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong time management and multitasking skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, staff, colleges, and community partners
• Ability to support and engage students from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive student information appropriately
• Proficiency with educational technology systems, student information systems, and college planning platforms such as Naviance
• Ability to facilitate workshops, presentations, and family engagement events
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered counseling practices

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals…