1.0 FTE Social Worker - Counseling

POSITION TITLE:       1.0 FTE Social Worker - Counseling     

FLSA:                           Exempt

REPORTS TO:               Building Principal and the Assistant Director of Counseling

Terms of Employment:    184 day work year.  Benefits and salary in accordance with the LEA Unit A collective bargaining agreement.

August 31, 2026 start date.  FY26 salary scale may change based on completed negotiations.

Unit A 25-26 Salary Range

The High School Social Worker (HSW) will assist students in grades 9-12 with personal, psychological and environmental issues that affect their school performance, behavior and socialization. The HSW will partner with the school counselors to assess student needs and deliver services and programs to support students and maximize their ability to access the curriculum. The HSW will work closely with administrators, teachers, parents/guardians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, special educators, community-based resources and others. Through individual counseling, groups, strategic classroom lessons and parent workshops, social workers also address issues relevant to the general school population. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Providing crisis intervention, counseling services, support and case management to students and their families
• Making referrals for students and families to community resources as needed
• Serving as a liaison between the families and school to promote collaboration in the educational and social emotional planning for students
• Participating in case conferences involving other school employees and community supports
• Completing student observations and bio-psychosocial assessments to assist in intervention planning
• Assessing adolescent mental health needs and implementing short term, frequent and strategic interventions
• Completing home visits as needed to establish positive communication between students and their parent/guardian around identified issues
• Facilitating lunch groups for identified at-risk students to develop coping, social and decision making skills
• Providing building based and individualized attendance interventions as needed
• Participating in the Section 504 and Special Education processes as required
• Developing and conducting parent/guardian educational workshops on issues related to adolescent development, stress reduction and parenting strategies
• Facilitating parent support groups
• Collaborating with administration and teaching professionals to implement and monitor the efficacy of behavioral strategies, working closely with school guidance counselors and nurses
• Participating in Adolescent Study Teams, Adolescent Protection Teams, Data Teams and other building based teams to develop interventions to promote students success
• Developing and providing professional learning for staff related to social emotional issues that impact learning and behavior in the classroom
• Providing consultation to classroom teachers and other school personnel regarding student needs
• Collaborating with school personnel to develop additions to the curriculum in the areas of resiliency and student mental health
• Serving on district wide committees addressing behavioral, emotional and social issues that impact students learning
• Participate in private school recommendation and application process where necessary
• Serve as social-emotional representative to interdepartmental committees and teams to address school and district needs
• Participate in professional learning to maintain current with counseling practices
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

MA DESE School Counselor or School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor licensure required. Experience and commitment to working in a racially and culturally diverse teaching and learning community. Clinical Experience preferred. Minimum of 1 year experience in a school counseling/social work preferred. The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work. Demonstrated success in mediation and relationship building. Candidate must be organized, possess strong communication and writing skills, and be able to multitask in a fast paced environment.

Must also possess the knowledge, abilities, skills, and attitudes as outlined in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) School Counselor Competencies that are necessary to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate the comprehensive, developmental, results-based school counseling program that aligns with the ASCA National Model. 

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 the 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. 

Experience and commitment to working in a racially and culturally diverse teaching and learning community. 

Applicants for employment are considered without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, or military status.