Adjustment Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, 7-12, Public Charter School located in South Hadley, MA

Teachers and staff at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School (PVPA) provide students with a supportive and challenging environment that is responsive to multiple learning styles, emphasizes learning through the arts, and integrates critical and creative thinking throughout the curriculum. Since 1996, PVPA has prepared students for higher education by employing a rigorous, standards-based curriculum in a nurturing and collaborative environment.

PVPA has an opportunity for a full-time Adjustment Counselor for the 2026-2027 school year. We are looking for a reflective practitioner who is interested in integrating the arts into the curriculum, teaching with a social justice lens, collaborating with students and colleagues, and has experience in implementing restorative practices in the classroom. Under the direction of the Director of Student Services, you will be responsible for:

1. Coordinating with outside service providers and community partner
2. Collaborating with families, connecting families with outside resources and community partner
3. Providing individual and group counseling services for identified students in need
4. Participating as a member of the Student Support Team and School Climate Team
5. Assessing individual student behaviors using functional behavior assessment and write behavioral support plans
6. Consulting with teachers as needed around student mental health needs, family needs and community resources
7. Developing trusted relationships with students, facilitating and mediating student-student, and student – teacher conflicts
8. Responding to students in crisis, using risk assessment and threat assessment methods to evaluate levels of need

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will minimally hold a MA degree in social work or counseling, meet MA DESE School Guidance Counselor 5-12 licensure requirements, be able to pass a background check (CORI/SORI & Fingerprinting) and be computer literate. Candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge through course work and clinical experience of:

1. Principles of therapeutic relationships
2. Theories of normal and abnormal intellectual, social and emotional development
3. Learning disorders, including emotional issues affecting student achievement, and their treatment
4. Prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students
5. Knowledge of state-of-the-art diagnostic instruments; procedures for testing and interpreting results
6. Techniques for communicating and working with families and school and community personnel
7. Knowledge of the criminal justice system with particular reference to the juvenile justice system and organizations
8. Knowledge of medical conditions and medication related to physical disabilities and learning disorders
9. Federal and state laws and regulations addressing the legal rights of students and families

Other Information/Instructions:

Salary Range: Full time $43,268 to $68,719 annually dependent upon degree and experience. Additional $1,000 stipend for any individual who holds a valid DESE license in subject area and potential for bonus at the end of the fiscal year.

2026-2027 school year consists of 180 school days plus 7 professional development/curriculum work days and a thirty-five-hour work week that includes, on average, three class blocks per day of collaborative/independent work time.

Be prepared to provide:

1. A current resume
2. Letter of interest/Introduction
3. Contact information for three references
4. Transcripts indicating degrees awarded
5. Evidence of licensure or any endorsement if applicable

To apply please visit the PVPA Career Center at www.pvpa.org under the heading About/Employment Opportunities.