Postsecondary Success: Counselor on Special Assignment

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Chief of Student Services, the Counselor on Special Assignment

(COSA) will be a full-time release position responsible for supporting PK-12 Counselors. School Counselors and Adjustment Counselors, including evaluating current counseling programs and focusing efforts on student outcomes, closing student achievement gaps and the needs of all students and families through a Multi-tiered System of Support.

The COSA will evaluate student data in support of effective school instructional planning, identify barriers and contribute to the ongoing development, implementation, and curricular enhancements for academic achievement, family engagement, college and career-planning, expansion of school intervention programs, and increasing integrated support for culturally relevant sustaining practices, and trauma informed practices.

The COSA will promote inclusion, belonging, and access for all students, encourage systemic change and assist in building district-wide systems and processes that cultivate a college and career going culture to increase postsecondary success.

DUTIES:

• Refines, strengthens, and monitors effective on-site counseling programs aligned with best practices and the American School Counseling Association National (ASCA) model.
• Initiate systems for the district to become a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) district.
• Assist in the development of systematic district-wide counseling processes, procedures, and documents.
• Refine, strengthen, and monitor effective use of curriculum aligned with culturally relevant sustaining practices, and trauma informed practices and the ASCA model.
• Establish and maintain the district counseling communication procedures.
• Assist with supporting and mentoring new PK-12 counselors.
• Assist with recruiting, placing, and training school counselor interns.
• Assist with facilitating school counseling advisory, grade level, and district-wide counselor’s meetings.
• Assist with conducting school counselor site visits to support school counselors.
• Assist with collecting and analyzing data for decision making and progress monitoring of the counseling program and other student support services activities.
• Collaborate with counselors in the selection and ordering of counseling resources, materials, and equipment.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of a district-wide counseling handbook.
• Regularly update and maintain the district school counseling website, newsletter, and social media account.
• Assist crisis teams during and following a crisis.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Work as part of a team to assist in coordinating the professional development activities and programs for district PK-12 counselors.
• Participate in professional development activities and train the school counseling staff.
• Provide technical support and training on counseling-related programs to PK-12 counselors, teachers, and district staff.

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

• Plan, organize and conduct ongoing staff development for PK-12 counselors, teachers, support staff, and administrators in areas of academic development, social emotional development, and college and career readiness.
• Team with other departments to improve student academic development, social emotional development, and college and career readiness.
• Increase, improve, and assist at the school site in the coordination of outreach to students and families through targeted training and workshops in areas of academic development, social emotional development, and college and career readiness.
• Identify opportunities to enhance college and career readiness, including coordinating and executing the district college/career fair and College Month launch as well as other PK-12 experiences for students and parents.
• Plan, organize, develop and implement career events and publications; prepare letters, flyers, mailers, emails and other materials to publicize CTE pathways, resources and programs.
• Create/Maintain college and career partnerships with local organizations, universities and colleges.
• Assist school counselors in building post-secondary academic plans (MyCAP) with students.
• Seek to increase and improve inclusion, belonging and access for all students (PK-12).
• Support the development of programs and interventions to accelerate career and college readiness student outcomes.

MTSS, SEL AND MENTAL HEALTH

• Participate in planning committee and task force work that allows for feedback into and development of a district-wide MTSS plan, especially as it relates to mental health and SEL supports for students.
• Collaborate with various partners to develop the mental health and social-emotional learning (SEL) aspects of the district-wide SEL and mental health systems of support in our MTSS plan.
• Work within multi-tiered systems of support that use multiple data sources to monitor and improve student behavior, attendance, engagement, and achievement.
• Collaborate with school site PK-12 counselors on developing, implementing, and expanding the school site intervention programs.

Knowledge of:

• ASCA National Model of School PK-12 counselors
• National School Social Work Practice Model
• School counseling principles and techniques to improve student learning.
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
• PBIS and tiered systems of interventions.
• Collaborative Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Framework.
• Principles, methods, techniques, strategies, and trends in educational, vocational, career, social and emotional counseling.
• Techniques and practices that will facilitate collaboration with site counselors and tiered systems of interventions and student wellness practices.
• Evidence-based practice in school counseling and school social work.
• Data analysis and implications for program development.
• Resources that provide analysis of current workforce data.
• MassCore, private and out of state university admission requirements.
• SPS Pupil Progression Plan, graduation requirements, and options for college and career readiness.

Ability to:

• Conduct professional development for district staff and facilitate organizational development.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Establish and maintain productive collaborative relationships with others.
• Evaluate programs and report on effectiveness data.
• Work productively with outside experts to establish a single, unified direction.
• Analyze and interpret assessment results for the purpose of designing and modifying instructions.
• Perform a wide variety of specialized tasks; interprets and applies rules and regulations as appropriate.
• Uses and shares a variety of instructional strategies; applies knowledge of methods of supporting and extending instruction.
• Demonstrate knowledge of correct English grammar and usage.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Maintain confidentiality of information and use proper discretion concerning confidential matters.
• Maintain a safe and orderly working environment.
• Duties as assigned to support STAT/MTSS implementation and success.
• Strong knowledge of technology, especially using multiple databases to compile reports.
• Meet schedules and deadlines.
• Plan and organize work.
• Operate office equipment including a computer with a variety of software related to job requirements.

Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education School Adjustment or School Counseling License.
• Minimum of five (5) years counseling experience in elementary and/or secondary setting.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

"If you BELIEVE, we have a place for YOU on our team! Come work for us!"

About our District

Springfield Public Schools is a cultural gem in Western Massachusetts that is committed to providing a learning environment that opens the doors of infinite possibilities to our amazing students and staff. We strive to equip each of our approximately 24,000 students with learning experiences that enhance their knowledge and critical thinking skills. We are the 3rd largest district in Massachusetts. Our district has over 44 languages spoken and over 60 countries represented by both students and staff. We foster a positive and professional environment in our schools and worksites where people feel valued, respected, supported, seen and heard. Our students and staff share their ideas and perspectives, learning from and appreciating each other. We are a district that is committed to equity and excellence.

Join a team that Empowers Educators

In addition to offering competitive salaries and benefits, we provide numerous cutting-edge professional development opportunities for all staff. We let our data shape the professional development of the district, therefore, it is relevant and actionable. We support our teaching staff with mentors such as instructional leadership specialists and effective educator coaches to work with them throughout the year in lesson planning, data analysis and management. Our district offers career advancement opportunities and is invested in “Grow our Own” and educational pipeline programs. These programs help our staff achieve a college degree or lead to certification pathways.

If there is something that you would like to know specifically about the position that you are applying for or assistance with matching your skills to a position, Carmen Molina-Figueroa will be happy to assist you at [email protected].

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation. The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

NONDISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status.

NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools’ Title IX Coordinator, [email protected], the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at or both.

The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Jeremy Saint Laurent, Chief Legal Counsel in Legal Services, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55325, [email protected].

Springfield Public School’s sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website,

To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to [email protected]