Social Emotional Learning Specialist

Salary: $55.29 - $67.20 Hourly
Location : 37230 37th Street East, Palmdale, CA
Job Type: 10-month
Job Number: 25/26-07/07
Division: Special Education/Student Services
Opening Date: 07/07/2025
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 4:00 PM Pacific


Summary
THIS IS A CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT AND EXAMINATION PROCESS.

IT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME, WITH LITTLE OR NO NOTICE.

Definition
The Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SELS) provides instruction, therapy, and educationally required counseling services to students to promote positive social skills, mental health, and personal growth. The SELS identifies emotional and social skills needs, and encourages positive behavior through social/emotional skills training. Support families and district staff by providing consultation, instruction, and group counseling activities in the area of mental health.

Supervision Exercised and Received
Reports direction to the Director of Student Services or designee.

Representative Duties


The following are typical duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to, all tasks identified. May perform similar related tasks not listed.

1. Provide individual, group, and family social/emotional counseling and training services to parents, students, educational staff, and community agencies.
2. Consult with parents; describe services and obtain consent when appropriate.
3. Complete and maintain confidential reports that meet legal mandates.
4. Provide direct and group instruction/counseling services to students.
5. Consult with educational staff, school psychologists, and administrators regarding students' social-emotional needs.
6. Support "wrap around" services (family and community-based support services) for identified students and families.
7. Provide staff development and training specific to the areas of social/emotional/mental health.
8. Conduct threat and suicide risk assessments.
9. Participate as a member of the RTI and IEP teams; provide information regarding student performance; recommend goals and objectives.
10. Communicate and coordinate services with community-based agencies, including Mental Health, Public Health, Regional Center and Social Services.
11. Refer students to school psychologist for IDEA supports.
12. Develop and maintain intervention programs.
13. Conduct interviews, assessments and observations.
14. Refer students to public/private psychological counseling services.
15. Support foster students and families; serve as liaison between DCFS, students, parent/guardians, and educational staff.
16. Supervise licensed interns.
17. Attend required meetings.
18. Perform other duties as assigned.

Click for full job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience providing psychological and/or social/emotional instruction or counseling services.
• Experience working with children in a special education program is desirable.

Education:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in the field of Marriage & Family Counseling or Social Work.
• Advanced training in evidenced based practices for counseling.

Special Requirements:

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish language desired.

License:
One of the following is required, in accordance with licensing requirements for the State of California (Intern licenses will not be considered).

• Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT); or
• Marriage, Family & Child Counselor (MFCC); or
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

A valid driver's license and the availability of private transportation or ability to provide transportation between job sites is required. Ability to be covered under the District property/liability insurance.

Employment Standards

Application Filing
Applications for this position will be accepted online only during the specified recruitment period. Applicants will receive notifications electronically by email only. An eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. When a promotional and open eligibility list is established , the promotional list will be used first, unless otherwise stated on this bulletin.


The following items must accompany your completed application in order to be considered:

• Letter of Application
• Resume
• College transcripts showing Masters degree
• California License (MFT, MFCC, LCSW)
• Three Current Letters of Recommendation (less than 6 months old; will not be accepted without signature)

Foreign degrees and credit units require translation and equivalency established by an agency recognized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Examination
The examination may consist of a supplemental application that includes narrative questions, a situational exercise, and oral interview exam. After the exam procedure concludes for this recruitment, an eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. When eligibility lists include open and promotional lists of qualified persons through competitive examination, the promotional list will be used first, unless otherwise stated on this bulletin.

Work Schedule
This position typically works full-time, 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week, and observes a 10-month work calendar.

Salary and Benefits
The initial salary rate for a new employee is at the first step of the appropriate salary schedule for the position. The probationary period is 130 work days (not counting sick, industrial accident). Upon becoming permanent, a one-step salary advance shall be granted with future annual advances up to the fifth step of the appropriate salary schedule.


The District offers a generous and comprehensive benefit package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and qualified legal dependents. Health and welfare benefits are earned in accordance with the District's insurance program. Click here to view the current benefit plan matrix.


Holidays and Leaves Seventeen (17) paid holidays that fall within the work year, pursuant to the District's Collective Bargaining Agreement with California Schools Employees Association Chapter 296 (CSEA).


Sick leave shall be granted in the proportion of daily hours worked. Vacation is earned at the prescribed rate as part of compensation, and does not become vested until after completion of the initial probationary period.
Work Environment
This job is primarily performed indoors in a school environment. Exposure to temperature swings in a climate-controlled environment, and outdoor environments when walking to offices, classrooms, car, etc. ; exposure to various noises from office/classroom equipment/machines, staff, students, and the public.


Physical Demands
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following demands: sitting for extended periods, standing, walking; some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, squatting, reaching, and twisting at waist; hand and finger dexterity for keyboarding/typing, use of computer mouse and touchpad, and writing instruments; vision and hearing in normal range with or without correction.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
In accordance with Federal civil rights law, civil rights regulations and policies, the Palmdale School District, its offices, and employees, are prohibited from discriminating based on age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, marital status, nationality, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity.


For further information regarding Palmdale School District's non-discrimination, sexual harassment and Title IX policies and/or Coordinator contact information, please click the following link:


For further information regarding Palmdale School District's Personnel Sexual Harassment Board Policy, BP 4119.11, please click the following link:
Offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, and life up to the maximum district contribution for eligible employees.


More detailed information regarding benefit package eligibility will be presented at time of employment offer.
01


The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to continue in the selection process for this position. All work experience and education that is described or included in your response(s) must be included in the "Work Experience" and "Education" sections of the application. A résumé or other documentation to convey your education or experience will not be considered in lieu of completing all sections of the application.

• I have read and understand the instructions

02


Do you possess a valid driver's license with proof of adequate insurance coverage?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have an operational vehicle for use during your work day?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have bilingual proficiency in Spanish language?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess a Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution in the field of Marriage & Family Counseling or Social Work? You must provide a copy of your official transcripts with the application. (required to move forward in recruitment)

• Yes
• No

06


Indicate the license or certification that you possess in accordance with requirements for the State of California. You must provide a copy of your license with the application. (required to move forward in recruitment)

• Marriage, Family & Child Counselor (MFCC)
• Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• None of the above

07


Indicate the number of years experience providing psychological and/or social-emotional instruction or counseling services.

• None
• Less than one year
• One year but less than two years
• Two years or more

08


Describe in detail your training and/or experience as it relates to your selection in question number 7. List the employer, your job title, and types of population receiving services. If you responded "None" please write "N/A."
09


Do you have advanced training in evidenced based practices for counseling?

• Yes
• No

10


Describe your advanced training as it relates to your selection in question number 9. If you responded "No", please write "N/A."
11


Select the option that best describes your training and/or experience providing group facilitation in a mental health setting.

• None
• Less than six months
• Six months but less than 1 year
• One year but less than 2 years
• Two or more years

12


Select the option that best describes your training and/or experience coordinating services with community-based agencies.

• None
• Less than six months
• Six months but less than 1 year
• One year but less than 2 years
• Two or more years

13


Select the option that best describes your training and/or experience working with children in a special education program.

• None
• Less than six months
• Six months but less than 1 year
• One year but less than 2 years
• Two or more years

14


Identify and explain what support system you would use to identify student concerns, mediate conflicts, and provide on-going support for at-risk students on a middle school campus.
15


After reviewing student discipline data, it is determined that the most frequently occurring behaviors are fighting and bullying. What interventions would you suggest to reduce such behaviors.
16


You have reached the end of the supplemental application. Before submitting the application, please ensure you have done the following: 1) Read the job description and understand the responsibilities of the position applied for; 2) meet the required experience, education, and license and certification requirements listed; 3) clearly state your relevant experience and education on the application; 4) all sections of the application and responses to the supplemental application are complete and thorough; and 5) attach copies of required documents to the application.

• I have read and understand the above statement and completed my application as instructed.

Required Question