Bedford Public Schools

Invites applications for the position of:

School Counselor FY 25

Description:
The mission of the 9-12 School Counseling Department is to promote developmentally-appropriate academic, career, and social-emotional growth for all students. We help students build upon their strengths to develop self-efficacy and resilience, make healthy decisions, and acquire a sense of personal and civic responsibility. Through collaboration within our diverse community, we support access and equity for all learners. As vital members of the school leadership team, school counselors help to create a school culture that fosters growth and success for all. School counselors design and deliver school counseling programs that improve student outcomes, cultivates relationship building, and supports the ever-changing needs of the student body.

Responsibilities:

Performance Responsibilities: 

1. The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work. 

2. Candidate must be organized, possess strong communication and writing skills, and be able to perform efficiently in a fast-paced environment. 

3. Must also possess the knowledge, abilities, skills, and attitudes as outlined in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) School Counselor Competencies.

Essential Functions: 

The essential functions or duties 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.
- Provide individual counseling to support the social/emotional needs of students
- Provide acaemic and career counseling as it pertains to high school coursework and goal-setting
- Provide post-secondary counseling and advising to assist students with future-planning 
- Consult and collaborate with administrators, teachers, staff, families, and community-based providers in support of students’ social-emotional needs 

- Provide students with grade-level appropriate classroom lessons and seminars
- Participate in a variety of teams to identify student need and develop appropriate intervention plans, such as Student Support Teams, Section 504, Special Education, etc. 

- Assess student needs and monitor progress through observations and data gathering 

- Participate in student reentry meetings and support students upon their return to the classroom

- Support diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students and families 
- Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands: 

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 with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands or arms. 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

Additional Information:

MA DESE School Counselor License Grades 5-12, required 
Master's Degree in School Counseling, required
SEI Endorsement
Successful completion of a CORI and national background check (fingerprinting)

Experience using the ASPEN Student Information System (SIS) platform and Naviance College and Career Readiness Software is recommended but not required
Summer Days, required
Experience in Grade 11 post-secondary planning, writting letters of recommendation, and the course selection process preferred

Reports To: Director of Counseling and/or Building Principal

Work Year: In accordance with the Bedford Education Association's Contract

Salary/Benefits:

Per BEA and BPS contract

Bedford Public Schools are committed to hiring, mentoring, and retaining a diverse staff. We are relentless in our efforts to bolster equity, in both academic and work spaces, by fostering a culture of belonging and ensuring our diverse employees and students have equitable access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive — personally, professionally, and academically.