Job Title

TITLE:ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR QUALIFICATIONS: 1.A Master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. 2.Maintains a valid Massachusetts certification as a secondary classroom teacher and guidance counselor per regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Education. 3.Maintains a valid Massachusetts certification as a school adjustment counselor. 4.A minimum of three (3) years of successful experience as a secondary classroom teacher is preferred but not required. 5.Experience as a guidance counselor or school psychologist is preferred but not required. 6.Demonstrated ability to perform the tasks listed below. 7.A proven ability to work in a polite and friendly manner with many different publics. 8.Must possess a sense of humor. 9.Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Department may find appropriate and acceptable. REPORTS TO:Building Principal and/or Guidance Coordinator as appropriate. JOB GOAL:To help students resolve and/or seek solutions to such personal, emotional and social problems as interfere with their adjustment to school and their capacity to enjoy the fullest benefits of the education offered them. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (include but are not limited to): 1.Consults and cooperates with guidance counselors, school psychologists, principals, nurses, and classroom teachers in assessing the mental and emotional health of the individual student having school difficulty and in evolving appropriate plans. 2.Gathers information from home visits that will be useful in determining how best to meet the needs of the student and his/her parents relative to improving attendance and making the school experience more meaningful. 3.Presents a positive image of the school to parents, and conveys to them the school's genuine concern with the education, growth and development of each child. 4.Assists in developing ways of involving parents in the affairs of the school and community. 5.Works closely with and serves as liaison between the school and outside agencies, such as the Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Social Services, the Police, and the Court. 6.Counsels parents toward improving the home situation whereby more favorable conditions will be attained in regard to schoolwork, behavior, attendance and interest. 7.Helps families make appropriate social agency contacts, when needed. 8.Directly assists students with adjustment problems and, when necessary, refers students to appropriate specialized personnel such as school psychologists and/or other counseling services. 9.Participates with other school personnel in case conferences. 10.Maintains and continually updates a directory of referral services to be utilized in crisis situations affecting students such as suicide threats, alcohol or drug induced traumas, and the like. 11.Takes initiative in planning, developing, implementing and evaluating programs and services to meet the needs of students who have special problems adjusting to school. 12.Performs such other related tasks and assumes such other related responsibilities as may from time-to-time be assigned by the Guidance Coordinator and/or Principal(s). The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of those in this classification. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:The regular school year plus additional days during the summer as needed and mutually agreed upon by the Guidance Coordinator and the Adjustment Counselor. EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with the provisions of the School Committee's policy on evaluation of professional personnel. SALARY: Per current Teachers' Contract. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER