Guidance Counselor - High School (Long-Term Sub: Sept-Dec)

The Public Schools of Northborough-Southborough

High School Guidance Counselor - Long-term Substitute September-December, 2026

Department:

High School

Job Title

Guidance Counselor

FLSA Status:

(Exempt/Non-exempt)

Exempt - Unit A

Reports to:

Principal, Assistant Principal and Department Chair

GENERAL DESCRIPTION (1-3 LINES DESCRIBING ROLE):

The guidance counselor supports high school students in their academic, personal/social, and career development, helping students build the knowledge, skills, and plans needed for success in school and beyond. Counselors provide individual support, assist with course selection and postsecondary planning, monitor student progress, and collaborate with families, educators, and other support personnel to address students' needs and concerns.

This is a long-term substitute position, which will begin on or before September 18 and end on December 18, 2026.

QUALIFICATIONS:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters degree required
• MA DESE School Counselor Licensure required.
• Comprehensive school counseling curriculum knowledge.
• Proven problem-solving skills.
• Dynamic interpersonal skills are essential in order to build rapport and communicate effectively with students, parents/guardians, colleagues, and administrators.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES (NOT LIMITED TO):

Primary Functions:

• Assist students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social-emotional development, and career/college readiness.
• Consult and collaborate with colleagues and families in support of student development and progress.
• Deliver the school counseling curriculum in a classroom setting.
• Provide individual and group counseling.
• Promote an understanding and appreciation of diverse populations and cultures.
• Adhere to ethical standards of state and national school counselor associations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to school counseling.
• Participate in professional development in order to remain current with school counseling practices.

Job Responsibilities:

• Individual counseling with students to support academic progress, social-emotional development and post-secondary goals.
• Provide immediate counseling support for students struggling emotionally during the school day.
• Manage schedules for students on caseload.
• Develop and maintain 504 plans for assigned students.
• Monitor and advise students and families on progress towards promotion/graduation.
• Provide career and post-secondary information aligned with students' abilities and interests.
• Guide and support students in the college admissions process by reviewing and completing required forms/documents, and writing letters of recommendation.
• Consult and collaborate with other school personnel in gathering and sharing information regarding students, and in establishing plans for interventions and supports, as needed.
• Assist families in addressing school-related challenges and issues.
• Refer students and families to special programs, resources, and outside agencies, as needed
• Design, deliver, and revise school counseling curriculum using diverse strategies.
• Help with the coordination of programs such as career and college fairs, evening programming for students and families, scholarship opportunities, and other extensions of the counseling curriculum.
• Participate in student Student Assistance Team meetings, special education meetings, and crisis intervention planning.
• Advocate for equal access to programs and services for all students
• Assist with standardized testing (MCAS, etc.) as a proctor and/or test coordinator.
• Enroll and orient new students on an as-needed basis.
• Use data to inform counseling and interventions
• Maintain student records.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Principal or Director of Guidance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work Environment:

Majority of work is performed in a school/classroom/office environment. The noise level in the environment is usually moderate.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the counselor is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear. The counselor is regularly required to bend, stoop, crouch and/or kneel. The counselor is occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Must have sufficient mobility to navigate within a large school building.

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.

Northborough-Southborough Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Northborough-Southborough Public Schools ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other class as protected by law. The Northborough-Southborough Public School places a high value on recruitment of diverse staff. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the district human resources office.