School Adjustment Counselor - Systemwide

Position: School Adjustment Counselor - Systemwide 2026-2027
SUBJECT:
School Adjustment Counselor

REPORTS TO:

Building Principal

We are seeking a highly motivated, student-centered School Counselor to join our dynamic and collaborative team. The ideal candidate is deeply committed to equity, excellence, and the social, emotional, and academic success of all students. This individual must bring both compassion and strategic leadership to their work-balancing responsive support with proactive, system-level thinking.

At our school, we believe in cultivating a learning environment where every child is known, supported, and empowered to thrive. We are looking for a counselor who not only responds effectively to students' daily socio-emotional needs, but who also partners with staff to build a proactive, school wide culture of belonging and behavioral growth. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to build staff capacity, contribute to the school's continuous improvement efforts, and lead initiatives that align with our shared commitment to supporting the whole child.

Key Qualities and Expectations:

* Relational Excellence:
Builds strong, trusting relationships with students, families, and staff. Serves as a consistent, positive, and caring presence for students across all grade levels. Demonstrates cultural competence and works effectively with students and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.

* Strategic Systems Thinker:
Eager to lead school wide initiatives that promote positive behavior, social-emotional learning, and a culture of belonging. Collaborates with educators to integrate proactive, evidence-based strategies into daily classroom practice.

* Highly Organized and Reflective:
Maintains effective systems for managing responsibilities and tracking student needs. Continuously reflects on their practice and identifies areas for growth and improvement.

* Lifelong Learner:
Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development and remains current with best practices in counseling, equity, and student support.

ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE - District-based

Description:

This position is accountable for the delivery of social casework services to students; to identify a student's needs and to make use of internal and community resources to help bring about positive changes so as to function to his/her fullest potential in the school and community through actions consistent with the policies of the Worcester Public schools and relevant state laws and regulations.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (to be included along with the other responsibilities)

1. Responsible for pre-referral conferences with school personnel in a team context for the appropriate intervention for a student.

2. Responsible for individual and/or group short-term counseling with, or otherwise assisting referred students.

3. Responsible for cooperating and consulting as a team member with teachers, principals and other school personnel for purposes of diagnosing, evaluating and recommending interventions for the adjustment of students.

4. Responsible for providing crisis intervention and conflict resolution services when requested by school personnel.

5. Responsible for making home visits to parents of referred students and counseling with parents at school and in the home to help them understand the social, emotional and academic needs of the student.

6. Responsible for serving as a referral agent and case manager for the student and parent(s) in developing a network of social services with community agencies.

7. Responsible for serving as a resource team member and/or supervisor of attendance for the court when indicated in cases of children in need of service.

8. Responsible for providing outreach and follow-up for students referred because of attendance problems.

9. Responsible for compiling, summarizing, maintaining, and submitting data or other records of pupils referred for appraisal to appropriate school personnel.

10.Responsible for safeguarding the student's right to privacy against disclosure of information in the student's case history, or if disclosures of confidences during counseling within the framework of applicable laws and systemwide policies.

11.Responsible for being knowledgeable and conforming to state and systemwide regulations and guidelines on student records.

12.Responsible for assuring equal educational opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, marital status, religion, natural origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, or disability.

13.Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. MA DESE license - School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor - Grades:
All levels, including the completion of a 900-hour field-based experience.
2. Masters degree
3. Evidence of mastery of social case work techniques.
4. Ability to understand the dynamics of families from various cultural backgrounds.
5. Two years' experience working with school-age children and their families.
6. Familiarity in working with…