26-27 Long Term Substitute College and Career Counselor ()

This is a temporary position 8/27/26-12/23/26

Position Summary

The College & Career Counselor works in collaboration with the Director of College & Career Readiness and the Somerville High School Counseling Department to support students in postsecondary planning and career readiness. The counselor assists in the continuous evaluation development and implementation of a comprehensive and proactive college and career counseling program that supports equitable access to postsecondary opportunities for all students at Somerville High School.

The College & Career Counselor supports students and families through the college application financial aid scholarship career exploration and workforce development processes while fostering a student-centered inclusive and culturally responsive environment.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

The essential functions or responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position

• Manage a caseload of students in support of postsecondary planning and career readiness
• Conduct individual meetings with students and families regarding college and career planning
• Guide students in developing balanced and appropriate college lists
• Communicate with students families school counselors and teachers regarding the college and career planning process as needed
• Review college applications essays resumes and supporting application materials
• Monitor and remind students regarding timely submission of applications financial aid materials and scholarship opportunities
• Support students in the scholarship application process
• Provide workforce development coaching including resume review and interview preparation
• Support students in understanding and selecting career training and workforce development programs
• Provide college career and postsecondary information aligned with students aspirations interests and abilities
• Collaborate closely with the School Counseling Department and college and career readiness staff
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of student interactions and postsecondary planning activities
• Track analyze and report on data related to student success indicators including FAFSA/MASFA completion college visits and counseling participation
• Manage student applications and supporting documentation through Naviance and other college and career readiness platforms
• Arrange coordinate and chaperone college tour field trips and related activities
• Plan and facilitate postsecondary workshops and presentations for students in classroom and group settings
• Plan and facilitate postsecondary informational events and workshops for families
• Support successful student transition to postsecondary education and first-year college experiences
• Participate in professional development to remain current with college and career counseling practices and trends
• Participate in ongoing meetings with supervisors to ensure counseling practices remain aligned with current legal ethical and professional standards established by NACAC ACA and ASCA
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the core responsibilities of the position

Qualifications

• Appropriate Department of Elementary and Secondary Educators license in thefield or subject for this position
• DESE SEI endorsement Required
• Experience in college counseling particularly with low-income and first-generation college students preferred
• Experience supporting postsecondary planning and workforce readiness initiatives preferred
• Bilingual Educator Preferred

Knowledge Abilities & Skills

• Knowledge of college admissions financial aid scholarship and career readiness processes
• Understanding of postsecondary planning strategies and student support practices
• Ability to use student data and outcome measures to inform decision-making and program improvement
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong time management and multitasking skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students families staff colleges and community partners
• Ability to support and engage students from diverse cultural linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive student information appropriately
• Proficiency with educational technology systems student information systems and college planning platforms such as Naviance
• Ability to facilitate workshops presentations and family engagement events
• Commitment to equity inclusion and student-centered counseling practices

Physical Requirements

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 positions essential functions.

• Mobility:Frequent walking standing and navigating stairs.
• Lifting/Strength:Ability to lift push pull or carry objects ranging from 10 to 30 lbs (e.g. books supplies equipment).
• Physical Dexterity:Bending crouching kneeling stooping and reaching to assist students.
• Stationary Tasks:Remaining in a stationary position (sitting/standing) for long periods.

Reporting Relationships

• Position Reports to:The School Principal and Director of College and Career Readiness

Terms of Employment

• Position Type:Full Time
• FLSA Classification:Exempt
• Union Status:SEU Unit A
• Salary and benefits are determined in accordance with theSomerville Educators Union Unit Acollective bargaining agreement and the policies of the Somerville School Committee.

Pre-Employment Requirements

MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance

Fingerprints

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the basis of race color age religion disability pregnancy home status marital/civil union status sex/gender gender identity sexual orientation citizenship status place of birth national origin ancestry cultural identity genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation threat or harassment that demeans individuals group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.