Long-term Substitute Guidance Counselor

Billerica Public Schools; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Billerica Public Schools is seeking a Long-term Substitute Guidance Counselor at Billerica Memorial High School in Massachusetts. The role starts immediately and runs until approximately December 17, 2026, at a rate of $120 per day.

No employee benefits are included with this temporary position. Responsibilities include delivering the counseling curriculum, supporting academic and personal development, and coordinating with teachers, parents, and students to promote success and transitions to

Qualifications

• Certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a Guidance Counselor.
• Graduate degree in School Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual planning and counseling aligned with graduation objectives.
• Lead group counseling sessions addressing identified student needs.
• Support students' transition from middle to high school and to post-secondary options.
• Interpret test results and student data within the counseling context.
• Refer students and parents to appropriate specialists or outside agencies.

Skills

Counseling

Student advocacy

Collaboration with staff

Curriculum delivery

Education

Graduate degree in School Counseling or related field

Certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a Guidance Counselor

Job description

Billerica Public Schools Billerica Memorial High School - Billerica, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Long-term Substitute Guidance Counselor

Billerica Public Schools Billerica Memorial High School - Billerica, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5939017

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Sep 24, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

This is long-term substitute position and is available until approximately December 17, 2026 and pays $120 per day. This position does not include employee benefits.

The school counselor serves as a student advocate, supporting students' academic, personal/social, and career success. The counselor works under the supervision of the Director of Guidance and the building Principal.

Primary Functions

• Deliver the school counseling curriculum in a classroom setting
• Assist students with academic planning, career planning, and personal/social development
• Provide individual and small-group counseling in a variety of settings
• Consult and collaborate with teachers, staff, and parents to understand and meet student needs
• Make appropriate referrals of students and parents to outside agencies and specialists
• Participate in activities that contribute to the effective operation of the school
• Pursue continuous professional growth to stay current in the field
• Promote understanding and appreciation of diverse populations and cultures
• Monitor and advise students and parents on progress toward promotion/graduation
• Prepare students for transition to the next level, high school, and post-high-school activities

Job Responsibilities

A. Counseling

• Provide individual planning sessions in academic planning/success, career awareness, and social-emotional development, aligned with graduation objectives
• Lead goal-oriented group counseling sessions addressing identified student needs (e.g., academic skill building, social skill development, career awareness, conflict resolution, family issues, healthy decision-making)
• Support students' transition from middle school to high school and to post-secondary options
• Interpret test results, student data, and other assessments appropriately within the counseling context
• Provide individual counseling in response to student requests

B. Consulting

• Provide information to students, parents, staff, administration, and the community to support students' academic, career, and social development
• Take a leadership role in integrating counseling content into curriculum, staff development, and parent education programs
• Assist parents in addressing school-related problems and issues
• Refer students and parents, as needed, to appropriate specialists, programs, or outside agencies
• Inform students and parents of relevant test results and their implications for educational and career planning

C. Coordinating

• Facilitate liaison and coordination among school activities/resources and communication between home, school, community agencies, and business/industry
• Advocate for equal access to programs and services for all students
• Plan and coordinate programs such as career fairs, college fairs, scholarships, and other extensions of the counseling curriculum
• Coordinate parent education programs supporting smooth transitions (elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and post-high-school planning)

D. Curriculum Management

• Design, deliver, evaluate, and revise a planned, sequential, developmentally appropriate school counseling curriculum covering academic success, career awareness/planning, and personal/social growth
• Deliver curriculum systematically using diverse strategies and settings
• Facilitate instruction in collaboration with school and community resources

E. Individual Planning

• Develop and evaluate high school and post-high-school plans annually through individual planning, resulting in a career/education plan for each student
• Address curriculum objectives appropriate to each grade level

F. Managing

• Establish a planning calendar for program activities
• Plan, implement, maintain, and evaluate systems that support, maintain, and improve the school counseling program
• Communicate the school counseling program to students, parents, staff, and the community
• Develop and maintain technology skills and participate in professional development

G. Accountability & Data-Driven Decision-Making

• Use data to document the results of strategies and interventions aimed at improving student academic performance

H. School System

• Participate in school decision-making and activities that support effective school operation
• Collaborate with other professionals to enhance student education
• Communicate with administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students regarding the counseling program's role in the school

I. Professionalism

• Adhere to ethical standards of state and national school counselor associations
• Follow preferred practices prescribed by state and national school counselor associations
• Demonstrate knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to school counseling
• Pursue ongoing personal growth and professional development

Qualifications

• Certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a Guidance Counselor
• Graduate degree in School Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or a related field

Position Type: Full-time

Job Categories

Student Services > School/Guidance Counselor

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Billerica Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, age, religion or religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran's status, military services, marital status, genetic information, handicap, disability, or on any other basis that is protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance.

Job Requirements

• CORI & FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE REQUIRED
• Master degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Thomas Murphy , Principal, Billerica Memorial High School
• 35 River Street
• Billerica, Massachusetts 01821
• Phone: [phone]
• Fax: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]