Mental Health Specialist

Mental Health Specialist

Join us at Ignite Community Schools, where we are lighting the way for student success across Texas. As a network of public charter schools under Responsive Education Solutions, we are dedicated to creating joyful, academically excellent environments that empower students to pursue their dreams in college, career, and beyond.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced mental health professional to serve as a Mental Health Specialist. This role is designed to support and strengthen the work of campus and regional counselors by providing expertise, coaching, consultation, and direct intervention related to student mental health and wellness.

The Mental Health Specialist will partner closely with Regional Counselors and campus teams to ensure students receive high-quality mental health support and access to appropriate services. This individual will serve as a subject matter expert in mental health promotion, crisis response, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional development, while helping counselors implement comprehensive counseling programs aligned to Ignite's mission and goals.

The primary purpose of this role is to provide leadership, consultation, and direct support to Regional Counselors and campus counseling teams in implementing a comprehensive mental health and school counseling program across all Ignite campuses.

This position focuses on:

• Supporting counselors with mental health assessments, interventions, and referrals
• Coordinating crisis response and risk assessments
• Delivering professional development and coaching
• Building community partnerships and wraparound supports
• Promoting student mental wellness and social-emotional growth
• Assisting counselors in meeting attendance, retention, and school climate goals

The Mental Health Specialist may also provide counseling support services to students and families when needed.

Required qualifications include:

• Education in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Teaching or a related mental health field
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working or supporting schools
• Experience conducting suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience mentoring and supporting students
• Knowledge of Texas Education Agency requirements and school mental health best practices

Key performance indicators include:

• Increase counselor effectiveness and compliance
• Improve mental health referral completion and follow-up
• Strengthen campus implementation of trauma-informed and SEL practices
• Reduce crisis incidents and improve intervention response times.

Responsibilities include:

Mental Health Leadership and Counselor Support

• Assist counselors with complex student mental health cases, including crisis situations and high-risk behaviors.
• Support counselors in implementing evidence-based interventions and behavior support strategies.
• Monitor counselor documentation and compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Crisis Response and Risk Assessment

• Support counselors in suicide risk assessments, threat assessments, grief support, and crisis response.
• Develop and maintain crisis response protocols.
• Participate in critical incident response as needed.

Program Development and Implementation

• Collaborate with Regional Counselors to plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive counseling and mental health programs.
• Support implementation of:
• Mental Health Promotion
• Substance Abuse Prevention
• Suicide Prevention
• Trauma-Informed Practices
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Assist with character education using programs such as:
• The 7 Habits
• Leader in Me

Student and Family Support

• Provide direct counseling and consultation to students and families when necessary.
• Connect families with community mental health and social service resources.
• Coordinate wraparound services for students with significant needs.

Attendance and Retention Support

• Partner with counselors to identify barriers to attendance and student persistence.
• Support intervention planning to improve attendance and retention outcomes.

Data, Documentation, and Compliance

• Compile, maintain, and review reports, records, and required documentation.
• Monitor implementation fidelity and program outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, board policy, and professional ethical standards.

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with families, administrators, special population teams, teachers, and community partners.
• Advocate for students and underserved populations.

Other Duties

• Travel to area trainings
• Perform other duties broadly aligned with the essential responsibilities of the role.

Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Responsive Education Solutions offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement benefits.