Behavioral Health Counselor

The Behavioral Health Counselor is responsible for supporting the behavioral and mental health of students. Position is integral to proactive and effective initiatives/efforts of a multidisciplinary team comprised of a range of industry disciplines within the broad spectrum of mental/behavioral health and wellness. Offers a continuum of support that includes prevention, intervention, and intensive strategies that meet the needs of individual students.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions:

1. Plans and conducts appropriate behavioral/mental health interventions to include short-term, solution-focused individual, group, and/or family counseling services for students to facilitate personal, social, emotional, and academic growth.

2. Supports the implementation of research best practices, including but not limited to, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), School Wide Positive Behavior Support (SwPBS), Restorative Justice, and School-Based Teams.

3. Assists with crisis intervention services as part of the crisis support teams; includes conducting short-term crisis counseling, providing staff support, and conducting parent education activities.

4. Assists with the coordination of students entering and exiting behavioral and mental health recovery centers and programs; participates in the effective monitoring of the reintegration process into school-based activities and functions.

5. Acts as liaison between families and collaborative agencies with Behavioral Health Agreements, thereby ensuring the effective coordination of school services with those of the support agency as needed.

6. Leads preventative initiatives as part of a multidisciplinary team, in concert with community partners, to enlist proactive efforts toward early identification and early intervention supports and programs.

7. Collects, tracks, compiles, and assembles data for purposes of analyses and compliance reporting.

8. Provides individual, group, and family supports in alignment with a school behavioral health continuum of support, including reviewing behavior referrals to identify trends and intervention needs, ensuring alignment with the Student Code of Conduct and school-wide expectations.

9. Works collaboratively with diverse groups, community agency partners, and families.

10. Consults and collaborates with appropriate multidisciplinary teams, teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, administrators, and others as needed to address a broad range of mental/behavioral health challenges and support needs.

11. Supporting staff with behavioral and wellness strategies.

12. Encourages understanding of, and sensitivity to, multicultural values and trauma informed practices.

Performance Effectiveness Criteria:

In addition to the employee being responsible for each of the performance responsibilities listed herein, annual progress will be assessed with respect to support and achievement of the District Strategic Plan and associated applicable scorecards.

Additional Job Functions:

1. Follows adopted policies and procedures in accordance with School Board priorities.

2. Conducts oneself in the best interest of students, staff, and the community in accordance with the highest traditions of public education and in support of the District's Mission Statement.

3. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or related field OR five (5) years of related industry/discipline experience. (Master's degree preferred.)

2. Licensed Master/Clinical Social Worker (LM/CSW), Certified Mental Health Professional

(CMHP), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or similar industry certification(s)/license(s) preferred.

3. Two (2) years of experience working with youth having experienced emotional trauma, mental or behavioral health issues, and/or have been otherwise at-risk, in crisis, or potential crisis.

4. Demonstrated ability to provide individual, group, and family supports.

5. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups, community agency partners, and families.

6. Demonstrated ability to work with and on a multidisciplinary team comprised of a range of mental/behavioral health professionals and supports.

7. Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.

8. Knowledge of current computing technologies and software applications appropriate to the position's job responsibilities.