SCHOOL COUNSELOR / MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER

SUMMARY:

To provide direct mental health services and proactive wellness supports that promote scholar well-being, academic engagement, and school-wide equity. Mental Health Counselors serve as collaborative partners with teachers, families, and outside agencies to ensure that students receive individualized social, emotional, and behavioral support. This role supports AXL Academy's commitment to positive school culture, student growth, and community safety through both preventative and responsive services.

Essential functions of the job may include but are not limited to the following:Direct Counseling and Support Services

• Provide individual and group counseling services to address social-emotional, behavioral, and academic concerns.
• Assist students in developing healthy coping strategies and personal skills related to identity, relationships, and resilience.
• Support students experiencing acute distress, ongoing behavioral challenges, or attendance concerns.
• Refer students and families to external mental health, medical, or social service agencies as needed.
• Maintain regular communication with families in a respectful, trauma-informed manner.

Prevention, Wellness, and Intervention

• Develop and implement school-wide wellness programming, classroom push-ins, and small group supports.
• Participate in and support Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and intervention planning.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Crew curriculum in collaboration with instructional teams.
• Assist in implementing prevention initiatives such as mental health awareness, behavior coaching, and student wellness groups.
• Facilitate workshops and support services focused on regulation, self-awareness, identity development, and resilience.

Crisis Response, De-escalation, and Safety Protocols

• Respond to student mental health and behavioral crises using de-escalation strategies and trauma-informed practices.
• Coordinate suicide risk assessments and collaborate with school leadership, families, and external partners to ensure student safety and appropriate follow-up.
• Support and participate in threat assessments in collaboration with administrators and the school safety team.
• Develop, document, and monitor safety and reentry plans as needed for students at risk.
• Provide professional guidance to staff on identifying warning signs, escalating concerns appropriately, and supporting students post-crisis.

School Culture, Communication, and Collaboration

• Maintain and communicate a consistent weekly schedule that allows staff and students to understand availability for check-ins, sessions, and push-in support.
• Coordinate flexibly with school leadership in response to daily needs while prioritizing predictability and access for students and staff.
• Actively participate in school events, Crew sessions, student-led conferences, and professional development.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with Crew Culture Leaders, instructional teams, and families.
• Provide supervision and informal student check-ins throughout the school day.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain accurate, confidential student case files and clinical documentation in alignment with FERPA, HIPAA, and ethical guidelines.
• Track services provided, progress toward goals, and referral outcomes.
• Contribute to grant reporting, compliance monitoring, and data-sharing efforts as required.
• Follow all legal mandates regarding reporting suspected abuse, threats, or mental health risks.

Upholding the Vision:

Engage

• Build trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Create a school culture where mental health support is normalized, proactive, and integrated.

Empower

• Help students gain the self-awareness and emotional skills needed for long-term success.
• Provide tools and training to teachers and families to better support students in need.

Achieve

• Remove barriers to learning by addressing the mental, emotional, and behavioral needs of students.
• Support measurable growth in student well-being, behavior, attendance, and academic performance.

Qualification Requirements:

Required:

• Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related mental health field
• Experience providing direct mental health or counseling services to children or adolescents
• Knowledge of suicide prevention protocols, de-escalation strategies, and trauma-informed care
• Strong communication, collaboration, and documentation skills
• Commitment to restorative practices, equity, and inclusive school culture

Preferred:

• Colorado licensure (School Counselor License)
• Experience with suicide risk assessment protocols and threat assessment teams
• Familiarity with school-based MTSS, SEL programming, and behavior intervention plans
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency
• Familiarity with Infinite Campus or other student information systems

Physical Requirements:

Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices, and other classroom/office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. This position may involve indoor and outdoor duties across the school campus, including emergency response support.