1.0 FTE Long-Term Substitute - Guidance Counselor (October - February) en Reading Public Schools

READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS

READING, MASSACHUSETTS

Position:                    Guidance Counselor

Department:              Building

Reports to:                 Building Administrator

FLSA Classification:  Exempt                                   

Approved by:            Thomas Milaschewski, Ed D                                  

Revision Date:           Sept. 2025

SUMMARY: The primary function of the school guidance counselor is to provide a comprehensive competency-based counseling program focused on the learning, personal/social, and career/vocational needs of all students. The Guidance Counselor provides support services to students, staff, and parents. Support services include referrals, counseling, assessment, diagnostics, and report writing. This work takes place at the school site, in other public buildings, and in private residences. Additional responsibilities include student rostering/scheduling, maintaining individual student Education Plans, and other related duties. RMHS is seeking a long-term substitute guidance counselor for the dates of Oct. 31, 2025 - February 23, 2026.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions or duties listed below are illustrations of the type of work that is performed and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for by this position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for academic, personal and college/career counseling for all students on caseload.
• Responsible for scheduling students in appropriate courses
• Develop and lead Developmental Guidance Curriculum
• Provides direct support service to individual students and small groups
• Completes assessments, referrals, and counseling with students and families
• Consults with other professional staff and outside agencies and other organizations
• Completes written reports as needed or as requested by Principal or District Administrator
• Completes reports as required by Federal, State and local agencies
• Adhere to and support district policy, school guidelines, administrative rules and directives 
• Make him/herself available to all students seeking guidance and counseling services
• Facilitate outreach efforts to provide services to students, parents/guardians and staff 
• Connect students, parents/guardians and staff with specialized referral agencies
• Understand, evaluate, and interpret academic performance data. Interpret information about students to the student, their parents/guardians, and staff
• Conduct career and educational planning activities
• Consult with students, parents and staff to assist students with academic/career planning 
• Participate in in-service activities promoted by the district
• Submit required reports promptly and accurately
• Perform other duties as assigned by Building Principal or District Administrator

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Exercises no supervision.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. The Superintendent may waive or modify the qualification requirements.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school staff, peers, parents, and community
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to carry out assigned tasks and solve problems
• Knowledge and understanding of the American School Counselor Association standards and curriculum guidelines.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in the educational field
• Ability to use professional literature, evidence-based research, and continuing education content to make practice decisions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in oral and written form
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups including staff, parents and the general public
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with district level administrators, principals, staff and community members
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and manage several projects simultaneously
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies

• Understand confidentiality requirements regarding student records

• Ability/willingness to plan, coordinate, conduct and participate in ongoing professional and staff development

• Ability to operate a computer and related software including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of baccalaureate degree, master’s degree preferred.

LICENSES/ CERTIFICATIONS:

Must possess valid Massachusetts teacher licensure appropriate for subject area to be taught.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about to provide services and may be required to occasionally traverse throughout the school building. The employee must also often remain in a stationary position for considerable periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools. The employee must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents and other staff members in person and on the telephone. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in this environment is usually quiet to moderate. The employee interacts with students and other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people. While the majority of the work day is spent inside, the employee must spend time outdoors for fire drills and/or special activities.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.