DIRECTOR, STUDENT SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH

Director, Student Services And Mental Health

POSITION GOAL To provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for an integrated system of student services and mental health services that supports the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral success of all students. This role ensures the unified structure and alignment of wellness, mental health, prevention, intervention, and student services while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, and local mandates and advancing the District Strategic Plan.

ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES The Director, Student Services and Mental Health, shall carry out the essential performance responsibilities listed below.

• Provide leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive districtwide wellness and mental health service delivery model aligned to a multi-tiered system of supports.
• Lead the integration and alignment of student services, mental health, prevention, and wellness initiatives into a cohesive, coordinated system of care for students and families.
• Provide strategic leadership and cross-functional coordination among district departments, regional offices, and school-based teams to ensure aligned and responsive student wellness and mental health support districtwide.
• Lead district efforts related to prevention, including attendance improvement, prevention, crisis response, and student wellbeing initiatives.
• Represent the District on local, state, and national committees, advisory boards, and professional organizations related to student services, mental health, and wellness.
• Support schools in implementing evidence-based practices that improve student outcomes, including academic success, attendance, behavior, and well-being.
• Work in conjunction with the Chief Student Services Officer and maintain active status of Student Support programs changes and additions, including assigned staff.
• Develop, implement, and monitor a comprehensive program of student services throughout the district ensuring that the department's priorities and projects align with the District Strategic Plan.
• Develop and implement systems to collect and use relevant data for planning, policies, procedures, program evaluation, and for adhering to such data requests from state, school districts, national/state/local professional organizations, community agencies, media, and the general public.
• Plan, implement, and monitor initiatives relating to the student attendance needs of the district and to comply with compulsory attendance laws.
• Develop, implement, and maintain active communication vehicles for educating school personnel and members of the community regarding the student services and mental health services department budget, and State Mental Health Allocations.
• Develop, monitor, and manage the Department budget.
• Develop, implement, and monitor data management procedures to ensure student records and other sensitive data collected on students is maintained in a confidential and secure environment.
• Provide input at the State and Federal level to influence the development and impact of legislation and procedures that reflect the District Strategic Plan related to specific services within the department.
• Develop and implement recruitment strategies to attract candidates to best fill positions within the department.
• Collaborate with professional training programs to enhance the relevance of training experiences to practice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE An earned master's degree from an accredited institution in psychology, social work, counseling, mental health counseling, or public health. Licensed in an area of mental health and/or eligible for, or possess, Florida certification as a school social worker. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in mental health services or student services. Demonstrated experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation of mental health, wellness, and prevention initiatives. Knowledge and experience in prevention and intervention frameworks, and student services delivery models. Leadership experience in supervision, strategic planning, and budget management. Strong knowledge of federal and state laws, policies, and regulations related to student services and mental health. Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Computer skills as required for the position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Experience in supervision or program coordination within a large, urban school district. Experience in grant implementation or program funding oversight. Bilingual skills.

SIGNIFICANT CONTACTS-frequency, contact, purpose Works with District leadership, regional superintendents, school-based administrators, student services personnel, district departments community agencies, healthcare providers, the Florida Department of Education, and other governmental and community organizations to collaborate, coordinate, and implement comprehensive wellness and mental health supports that improve student outcomes and ensure compliance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the district's approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the School Board.