.5 FTE School Counselor

General Description:The Franklin Public School System is seeking an experienced, creative, skilled and dynamic school counselor to work at .5 FTE at Franklin Middle School. The counselor will provide comprehensive school mental health services through the implementation of evidence-based interventions and supports. The goal of Franklin School counselors is to support students in managing their mental health concerns, increase their abilities to access the school day, and develop skills to independently manage internal and external stressors. School counselors should work collaboratively and communicate with all stakeholders to support students personal and social success.Job Requirements:

• Works with individual students and groups of students to address personal, social, or emotional issues that impact educational and social-emotional progress.
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Understands role as school-based service provider and as mandated reporter.
• Uses evidence based counseling interventions (ex. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, etc.) and progress data to inform counseling interventions.
• Assesses students experiencing mental health crises and makes referrals to appropriate community supports.
• Acts as a primary member of the crisis intervention team.
• Collaborates with parents/guardians to increase parents/guardians understanding of and constructive participation in managing their childs problems, and supports access to available community-based resources..
• Consults and collaborates with school-based teams, and administration, parents and community providers in gathering and sharing information on students.
• Works with school-based teams on planning and establishing student action plans and/or behavior plans
• Assists students directly to support adjustment to school and access to the curriculum.
• Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct, and for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
• Facilitates individual and group school-based counseling to address issues which impede student progress and access to the curriculum.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelors Degree required.
• Appropriate Massachusetts DESE Licensed as School Counselor or School Adjustment Counselor.
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and possess a high level of capability with technology.
• Extensive knowledge of mental health challenges faced by youth
• Possess a strong repertoire of counseling techniques (DBT, CBT, etc.)
• Knowledge of adolescent development and middle school structure
• Knowledge and experience with evidence-based interventions for social skill development
• Ability to collaborate with all faculty & staff.
• Must successfully pass Criminal Offender (CORI) background check and national fingerprinting screening (CHRI).

Bargaining Unit Agreements:We understand that our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideasan exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the FPS community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. We are committed to reflecting that diversity in our staff. We strive to have the most diverse applicant pool possible; to that end, we encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply for any position at Franklin Public Schools.Franklin Public Schools is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment in accordance with state and federal law, including based on age, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, pregnancy-related status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual harassment, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information and/or disability.