Long Term Substitute Guidance Counselor (3337)

Natick High School; Natick (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Natick High School is seeking a Long Term Substitute Guidance Counselor to provide comprehensive counseling services to high school students. The role focuses on academic, personal/social, and postsecondary planning with a caseload across four grades.

The ideal candidate will hold MA DESE licensure and demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, and advocacy for student success within a diverse school community.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in School Counseling or related field.
• MA DESE Licensure as a School Guidance Counselor.
• Experience with adolescents in a school setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support students' academic, personal/social, and postsecondary development across four high school grades.
• Build meaningful relationships with students and families to guide decision-making.
• Deliver guidance seminars and structured programming on academic planning and postsecondary readiness.
• Coordinate academic accommodations and collaborate with school staff to support students.

Skills

Strong communication

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Confidentiality

Postsecondary planning

Education

Masters Degree in School Counseling

Job description

Long Term Substitute Guidance Counselor (3337)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

The Natick Public Schools Seeks a LTS Guidance Counselor - Natick High School

Start Date: ASAP-end of 26-27 SY

We invite you to explore a career with Natick Public Schools!

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.

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
• 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

The physical demands listed below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• 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 technology.
• Reading materials from screens, handwritten documents, or printed text, with or without visual aids.
• Positioning oneself to access and maintain files, materials, and resources.
• Communicating effectively in person, via video conference, by telephone, or in writing to ensure accurate understanding and collaboration.
• Observing details at close range to maintain safety and support students.
• Multitasking and responding to multiple demands from various individuals.
• Supporting students in developing life skills such as eating, cleaning, and toileting as needed.
• Occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
• Working in environments with moderate to loud noise levels.

Selection Guidelines

• Formal application
• Rating of education and experience
• Oral interviews
• Reference check
• Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required
• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.

Position Details

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Categories: Student Services > School/Guidance Counselor

Salary & Benefits

Salary and benefits per the Educators Association of Natick Unit A Contract

Benefits Eligible?

Yes

Contact Information

• Jennifer Hemenway
• 13 E. Central Street
• Natick, Massachusetts 01760
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]