JOB TITLE: Adjustment Counselor (FOCUS Program)

REPORTS TO: High School Principal or Special Education Administrator

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Social Emotional Learning is a core component of one of the Massachusetts DESE’s five core strategies. The therapist is responsible for overseeing a tiered system of support at the North Andover Middle School, delivering middle quality social-emotional learning, health, and safety curriculum, and delivering differentiated therapy in small group and one-on-one settings. Experience with individual and group therapies preferred. Proven experience in mental health issues, social-emotional learning, health and social work. Effective organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• • MA Licensed Mental Health Therapist; LICSW or LMHC
  • Adjustment Counselor certification optional but preferred with a minimum of 5 years as a practicing clinician in the mental health field
  • Master’s Degree

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Individual and group counseling/therapy for identified students
• Collaborate and provide clinical consultation to administrators and educational staff
• Clinical Case Management/Consultation with parents, outpatient providers, psychotherapists, psycho-pharmacologists etc. as well as agencies involved in students treatment/service delivery to provide continuity of care and improve parent/school partnerships
• Create and assist teaching staff in the implementation of behavior plans
• Write social/emotional goals, benchmarks and progress reports for student IEPs
• Facilitate 504 plan meetings and write 504 plans for qualifying students
• Crisis Intervention and behavior management for all students
• Attend all trainings, faculty meeting and professional development offered by the district
• Other duties assigned by building administrator and/or Director of Social and Emotional Learning

Improve Academic Achievement

• Promote student motivation and engagement
• Individualize interventions - Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities - write social-emotional goals and accommodations
• Help manage student and classroom behavior - conduct observations and formulate behavior plans as needed
• Monitor student progress - complete progress reports for each trimester according to student’s social-emotional goal

Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health

• Improve students’ communication and social skills - Teach and support social-emotional learning
• Assess student emotional and behavioral needs
• Provide individual and group counseling
• Promote problem solving, anger management and conflict resolution
• Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience
• Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving
• Conduct risk assessments as needed and assist family with necessary interventions

Promote Parent Involvement and Community Collaboration

• Make referrals to and help coordinate community services provided in schools
• Monitor and effectively communicate with parents about student social emotional progress
• Help families understand their child's learning and mental health needs
• Connect families with community service providers when necessary
• Maintain regular communication with student’s community resources in order to better provide wraparound services
• Attend evaluation team meetings, annuals, reconvene, manifestations, and other student-centered meetings as needed

Promote Positive School Climate, Provide Consultation, and Analyze Data

• Enhance staff understanding and responsiveness to diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Consult with staff regularly in order to help enhance understanding of student needs
• Generate and interpret useful student and school outcome data
• Collect and analyze data on risk and protective factors related to student outcomes
• Plan services at the district, building, classroom, and individual levels
• Identify at risk students and school vulnerabilities
• Provide crisis prevention and intervention services
• Serve on the Student Assistance Team and Crisis Intervention Team

Provide all other duties as deemed appropriate by administrator

WORKING CONDITIONS: Working in a school setting. Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Travel across district required.

WORK YEAR: 184 days

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT/SALARY

As negotiated by the North Andover School Committee and the North Andover Teacher Association. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned as required.