JOB TITLE: Adjustment Counselor / School Counselor

REPORTS TO: Building Principal/Director of Social Emotional Learning

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Social Emotional Learning is a core component of one of the Massachusetts DESE’s five core strategies. The therapist is responsible for overseeing a tiered system of support at the North Andover Middle School, delivering middle quality social-emotional learning, health, and safety curriculum, and delivering differentiated therapy in small group and one-on-one settings. Experience with individual and group therapies preferred.  Proven experience in mental health issues, social-emotional learning, health and social work.  Effective organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• MA Licensed Mental Health Therapist; LICSW or LMHC 
• Adjustment Counselor certification optional but preferred with a minimum of 5 years as a practicing clinician in the mental health field
• Master’s degree
• Experience with middle school students

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Individual and group counseling/therapy for identified students
• Collaborate and provide clinical consultation to administrators and educational staff
• Clinical Case Management/Consultation with parents, outpatient providers, psychotherapists, psycho-pharmacologists etc. as well as agencies involved in students treatment/service delivery to provide continuity of care and improve parent/school partnerships
• Create and assist teaching staff in the implementation of behavior plans  
• Write social/emotional goals, benchmarks and progress reports for student IEPs
• Facilitate 504 plan meetings and write 504 plans for qualifying students  
• Crisis Intervention and behavior management for all students
• Attend all trainings, faculty meeting and professional development offered by the district
• Other duties assigned by building administrator and/or Director of Social and Emotional Learning

Improve Academic Achievement

• Promote student motivation and engagement
• Individualize interventions - Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities - write social-emotional goals and accommodations
• Help manage student and classroom behavior - conduct observations and formulate behavior plans as needed
• Monitor student progress - complete progress reports for each trimester according to student’s social-emotional goal

Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health

• Improve students’ communication and social skills - Teach and support social-emotional learning
• Assess student emotional and behavioral needs
• Provide individual and group counseling
• Promote problem solving, anger management and conflict resolution
• Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience
• Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving
• Conduct risk assessments as needed and assist family with necessary interventions

Promote Parent Involvement and Community Collaboration

• Make referrals to and help coordinate community services provided in schools
• Monitor and effectively communicate with parents about student social emotional progress
• Help families understand their child's learning and mental health needs
• Connect families with community service providers when necessary
• Maintain regular communication with student’s community resources in order to better provide wraparound services
• Attend evaluation team meetings, annuals, reconvene, manifestations, and other student-centered meetings as needed

Promote Positive School Climate, Provide Consultation, and Analyze Data

• Enhance staff understanding and responsiveness to diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Consult with staff regularly in order to help enhance understanding of student needs
• Generate and interpret useful student and school outcome data
• Collect and analyze data on risk and protective factors related to student outcomes
• Plan services at the district, building, classroom, and individual levels
• Identify at risk students and school vulnerabilities
• Provide crisis prevention and intervention services 
• Serve on the Student Assistance Team and Crisis Intervention Team
• Provide all other duties as deemed appropriate by administrator

WORKING CONDITIONS:  Working in a school setting. Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Travel across district required. 

WORK YEAR: 184 days

SALARY: As negotiated by the North Andover School Committee and North Andover Teachers Association.