The K-8 School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor promotes and enhances the overall academic mission of the PSB Counseling and Clinical Services Department by providing services that strengthen home school and community partnerships and address barriers to learning and achievement. Under the direction of the Building Principal and the Senior Director of Clinical Services and Social-Emotional Learning the social worker/adjustment counselor delivers comprehensive school-based counseling services to students parents and school staff. This includes providing direct and indirect mental health services to students experiencing social emotional and/or behavioral problems that interfere with their performance in school and facilitating communication among school home and community providers. The social worker/adjustment counselor will provide direct and indirect services to students in special education and general education.
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. Provide short-term and long-term individual and group counseling to students who are experiencing social/emotional/behavioral problems that interfere with their learning
2. Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 services to address needs related to social skills belonging relationships and emotional regulation. This includes students who are experiencing social/emotional/behavioral problems that interfere with their school-based functioning.
3. Collaborate with teachers and caregivers to develop and implement behavior support plans to address behaviors that interfere with a students success.
4. Assist students in improving their academic personal and social functioning.
5. Attend and participate in Section 504 IEP Student Intervention Team Hospitalization Reentry manifestation determination meetings and other multidisciplinary team meetings.
6. Develop and implement treatment plans that support students ability to meaningfully participate in school.
7. Develop treatment plans to address attendance challenges.
8. Conduct home visits.
9. Provide case management services including but not limited to referrals to community resources.
10. Provide information to families and assist them in accessing long-term or intensive counseling services as needed.
11. Assist and support staff and students in the other schools when needed.
12. Consult and collaborate with social services mental health and other community providers.
13. Provide crisis management services including conducting risk safety and threat assessments.
14. Assess students for substance use support systems physical and emotional functioning barriers to academic performance peer issues suicidal/homicidal ideation and similar issues.
15. Provide individual and/or group counseling in response to school-wide crises.
16. Coordinate home school and community resources to address crisis situations.
17. Provide trainings and workshops to teachers school staff and parents/guardians.
18. Maintain an accurate record of student records.
19. Complete recordkeeping and administrative responsibilities in an organized and timely manner.
20. Adhere to professional ethical standards policies and laws in conduct and practices District Policy and Administrative Rules.
21. Support Tier 1 SEL work in the classroom.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge and skills for direct and indirect intervention including counseling on an individual group and family basis; consulting with administrators teachers parents and other professionals about student challenges and appropriate change strategies; networking with school programs and community agencies to provide essential services for families and children; understanding of the knowledge skills and processes for effective casework practice; understanding of associated laws (IDEA ADA compulsory attendance etc.) ethical issues professional issues and standards; foundations of school counseling social work and psychology; and understanding of child development psychopathology social and environmental conditioning cultural diversity and family systems.
Work Schedule:Monday-Friday through the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Masters Degree in Counseling or Social Work preferred.
Licensed as a School Adjustment Counselor/Social Worker in Massachusetts preferred.
Independent Counseling License preferred (LMHC or LICSW) preferred.
PSB is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of this academic community. Applicants are encouraged to include in their cover letter information about how they contribute to this goal.
The Public Schools of Brookline provide education to PreK through Grade 12 students in eight elementary schools , one comprehensive high school, and three Early Childhood Education sites with vision that guides education in all our schools. Brookline provides an extraordinary educati ... View more