Mental Health Professional

Position Overview The Mental Health Professional (MHP) serves as a specialized student support provider responsible for delivering high‑quality, compliant mental‑health services to students with intensive behavioral and social‑emotional needs. In this role, the MHP primarily functions as a Tier 3 intervention provider and IEP service provider, ensuring students receiving counseling and behavioral services through special education receive consistent, evidence‑based support aligned to their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The MHP also coordinates CARE/MTSS processes for students with the most intensive needs, oversees Section 504 plans related to mental‑health supports, and serves as the school’s McKinney‑Vento liaison for students experiencing homelessness. This role is designed to ensure compliance with special‑education service delivery requirements, provide clinical support for students with significant behavioral needs, and strengthen systems that support student well‑being across the school community. Position Type & Reporting Position type: Full time, exempt, 10 Month. Direct Manager: Mental Health Manager. Key Collaborators: School Leaders, Special Education Case Managers, Behavior Climate Specialists, Teachers and Instructional Staff, Families and External Mental Health Partners. Autonomy & Decision Making Designing and delivering therapeutic interventions aligned to student needs. Monitoring progress toward IEP counseling goals. Conducting risk and safety assessments. Determining appropriate clinical supports and referrals. Recommending Tier 3 interventions for students experiencing significant behavioral or emotional challenges. Day‑to‑Day Work IEP Mental Health Service Delivery Deliver all IEP‑mandated counseling and behavioral support services with fidelity. Maintain timely and accurate documentation of services in SpedTrack and SCUTA. Provide individual and small group counseling aligned to IEP goals. Participate in IEP meetings and collaborate with special education teams on student support strategies. Tier 3 Behavioral & Mental Health Intervention Provide clinical support for students experiencing significant behavioral or emotional challenges. Implement evidence‑based therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral strategies, trauma‑informed interventions, and solution‑focused counseling. Support the development and monitoring of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) for students with intensive behavioral needs. CARE Team / MTSS Coordination Coordinate or support CARE/MTSS processes for students requiring intensive interventions. Facilitate structured problem‑solving meetings to identify barriers to student success. Monitor progress of Tier 3 interventions and adjust supports as needed. Section 504 Coordination Support the development and monitoring of Section 504 plans. Collaborate with teachers and families to ensure accommodations are implemented with fidelity. Maintain documentation and compliance with federal guidelines. McKinney‑Vento Homeless Liaison Responsibilities Serve as the school’s McKinney‑Vento liaison, ensuring students experiencing homelessness are identified and supported in accordance with federal law. Ensure students experiencing homelessness receive immediate enrollment protections and equitable access to school services. Coordinate supports such as transportation, academic access, and participation in school programs. Maintain required documentation and ensure compliance with McKinney‑Vento federal requirements. Partner with families and community organizations to connect students with housing, social service, and community resources. Crisis Response & Risk Assessment Provide crisis intervention and mental health risk assessments when necessary. Support school teams in responding to acute student mental health concerns. Coordinate with families and community agencies when additional supports are required. Family & Community Partnership Maintain consistent communication with families regarding student progress and needs. Connect families with community resources and external service providers when appropriate. Collaborate with external agencies to ensure coordinated support for students. Outcomes Service Delivery IEP counseling minutes delivered with fidelity and compliance. Student Impact Improved behavioral and social‑emotional outcomes for students receiving Tier 3 supports. Compliance Accurate and timely documentation of counseling services and intervention progress. Systems Coordination Effective CARE/MTSS coordination for students with intensive needs. Effective implementation and monitoring of 504 accommodations. Student Access & Equity Students experiencing homelessness are identified and supported in compliance with McKinney‑Vento requirements. Barriers to enrollment, attendance, and participation are minimized through coordinated school and community supports. Required Skills Successful Mental Health Professionals demonstrate: Expertise in evidence‑based mental‑health and behavioral interventions. Strong knowledge of special education counseling services and compliance requirements. Ability to conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention. Experience supporting students with trauma, behavioral challenges, and emotional regulation needs. Strong facilitation skills for multidisciplinary problem‑solving teams. Knowledge of McKinney‑Vento Homeless Assistance Act requirements. Excellent documentation, organization, and time‑management skills. Ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and school staff. Qualifications Required Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field. Valid state licensure or certification in a mental‑health discipline. Experience providing counseling or behavioral intervention services to children or adolescents. Strong understanding of student mental‑health and behavioral support practices. Commitment to improving outcomes for historically underserved students. Preferred Experience working in a K‑12 school setting. Experience supporting special education counseling services. Experience with MTSS or student support systems in schools. Knowledge of trauma‑informed and culturally responsive practices. Benefits $0 deductible healthcare plan option, including medical, vision, and dental. Employer‑paid short‑term disability. $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee. Retirement plan through PSSRSSL with an employer match up to 14% and an optional 403(b) supplement. Public Service student loan forgiveness program qualified employer. Ongoing professional development. Paid Time Off Paid leave for illness, personal days, bereavement, jury duty, and military‑related leave. Paid parental leave for new families. Paid holidays, a one‑week Thanksgiving break, a two‑week winter break, and a week‑long spring break. Wellness days provided throughout the year. KIPP St. Louis is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our students, families, teachers, staff, and community members. As an equal‑opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability. #J-18808-Ljbffr KIPP St. Louis