SY25-26 SEZP Counselor (Clinician)
SY26-27 SEZP Counselor (Clinician)
Location: SEZP-Wide
Grade Level: 6-8
Full Time Start Date: August 2026 (exact start date TBD)
Base Salary: Up to $96,864.45 and commensurate with experience
Role Overview
Educators in the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership are responsible for ensuring that students have access to strong instruction, experience a deep sense of belonging in school, and are prepared for meaningful academic and life opportunities.
SEZP educators serve as instructors, mentors, and collaborators. They contribute to school communities that value strong relationships, clear expectations, and continuous improvement—for students and for adults.
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Implement the middle and high school SEL curriculums
- Understand continuum of mental health services, referring students and family to an appropriate level of care in coordination with their supervisor
- Counsel individuals and small groups of students toward academic, social, and emotional growth
- Consult with and train teachers, parents and staff regarding student’s needs
- Work with other Counselors and staff to refer students who have barriers to learning and their parents to special programs, specialists and outside agencies
- Provide consultation and facilitate referrals to appropriate levels of care and specialized services based on the student's needs.
- Optimize the collaboration and coordination of the interdisciplinary team to enhance the environment of student care
- Participate in and facilitate the problem solving process (STAT)
- Participate in the planning and evaluation of the counseling program
- Maintain current professional license and adhere to ethical standards in accordance with SEZP
- Consistently attend work on scheduled day and time, in professional attire and with a professional demeanor
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Maintain confidentiality
- Maintain records consistent with ethical and legal guidelines
- Perform responsibilities in an organized, accurate, timely and dependable manner
- Operate within the federal and state laws and the established SEZP, district, and school procedures and policies
- Provide support for other school and district programs and personnel
- Attend SEZP professional development and meetings
- Keep informed of current professional trends
- Utilize computers effectively in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities
- Pursue professional growth
- Complete other duties as assigned by the supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Certification as a School Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor or Guidance Counselor by the Massachusetts Department of Education at the appropriate grade level required (Counselors without DESE license may be eligible for a licensure waiver)
- Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field preferred; bachelor's degree required
- Effective problem solving and communication skills
- Experience working with students and families, plus community health and social service agencies
- Must be able to complete thorough clinical documentation
- Strong Interpersonal and communication skills
- Knowledge of theoretical frameworks of intellectual, social, and emotional development
- Familiarity with philosophy, principles, and practices in social work or counseling
- Familiarity with mental health and emotional impairments including learning disorders affecting student achievement
- Familiarity with prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in students
- Experience with crisis management and intervention
- Knowledge of medical conditions and medication related to physical disabilities and learning disorders
If you meet many—but not all—of the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply. SEZP values educators who are reflective, collaborative, and committed to continuous growth.
We encourage you to reach out to us at info@sezp.org if you have questions about the role or your qualifications. We are happy to help you feel ready to apply!
Benefits
Selection as an educator in SEZP recognizes an individual for their outstanding vision, capacity, and commitment to students. Educators in SEZP are eligible for the same competitive benefits available to Educators in the Springfield Public Schools.
Educators joining SEZP may also be eligible for the following recruitment incentives, which may be offered individually:
- Signing bonus in addition to base salary
- Relocation award for candidates from regions beyond western Massachusetts
About the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership:
While Massachusetts is consistently ranked as one of the top states for education results in the country, we have one of the highest and most persistent opportunity gaps. The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP) - established in 2015 as a collaboration between Springfield Public Schools (SPS), the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Springfield Education Association (SEA) – seeks to improve the longitudinal life outcomes of the more than 2,500 students in our 8 middle schools.
SEZP combines district-based public education with the flexibility of autonomous school models, granting schools meaningful control over curriculum, staffing, scheduling, and budgeting—while maintaining clear accountability for student learning and growth.
Across all of its work—including school improvement and educator preparation—SEZP is guided by three core values:
- Access: Expanding access to strong learning environments, skilled mentors, and clear pathways for students and educators
- Belonging: Building communities where people are known, supported, and accountable to one another
- Opportunity: Preparing students and educators to learn, lead, and thrive over time
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, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both.
The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Katie O’Sullivan, Senior Administrator of Human Resources, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55428, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com.
Springfield Public School’s sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination
To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com
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