Temporary GenEd Mental Health Therapist

Description

This is a Temporary role from the begining of the school year until Dec. 11th, 2026

ABOUT ASPIRE

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Mental Health Therapist 1 (Gen Ed) provides a wide range of school counseling services to children grades TK-12, including screening and assessment, individual and group counseling, collaboration with families, participating in the planning and implementation of site-based MTSS interventions, and working with/referral to outside agencies as appropriate. They influence the development of a safe, successful learning environment and positive school culture by partnering with teachers, administrators, school staff, and members of the Regional and Home Office. Aspire Public Schools prioritizes the professional development and clinical hour collection of Mental Health Therapists 1 as they work towards becoming licensed therapists. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate knowledge of and support of, Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, equity commitments, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

• Consistently and routinely update case files for students on their caseload, complying with all Aspire, BBS, state, and federal guidelines and mandates around documentation, practice, and maintenance of clinical registration, including honoring mandated reporting duties.

• Exhibit positive rapport with students that demonstrates skillful professional boundaries.

• Create positive, appropriate, and consistent communication with Aspire staff and administration about student clinical goals and progress.

• Attend all staff meetings and professional development sessions, including attending IEPs, 504s, and MTSS meetings for students on their caseload, as necessary. 

• Explore and sharpen therapeutic preventions and interventions at all intervention tiers for the purposes of fostering better mental health and positive learning environments for all students at Aspire.

• Collaborate with school staff on universal interventions for students such as peer mediation, conflict mediation, Restorative Practices, socio-emotional learning (SEL), and trauma-informed interventions, etc.

• Support the creation of community and school programming, including, but not limited to: parent workshops and community resources.

• Research and initiate partnerships with outside agencies to help foster better learning and support for the students of Aspire and their families.

• Provide crisis counseling and referrals for students as needed, including honing their risk assessment methodology. 

• May supervise counseling trainees/interns, if desired.

• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required knowledge, skills & abilities:

• Demonstrated commitment to students and learning.

• Experience with students grades TK-12.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to write clearly and interact effectively with different stakeholders.

• Excellent organization, time management and follow-up skills; ability to rank and carry out a variety of urgent priorities; demonstrated ability to successfully handle multiple cases concurrently.

• Ability to work as a part of a team.

• Possess knowledge of a variety of forms of intervention and prevention models for both individuals and group therapeutic settings (ex: CBT, Play therapy, etc.)

• Demonstrate ability to adjust to and use new approaches in the performance of their duties.

• Deal with obstacles and constraints positively and with a solutions-oriented mindset.

• Bilingual - Spanish (highly preferred)

Minimum educational level & licensure:

• Bachelor’s Degree required

• Master’s Degree in counseling/social work or related discipline required

• Registered Associate with BBS (AMFT, ASW, and/or APCC) OR PPS credential 

Physical requirements:

• Stand, walk or bend over, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, grasp, push, and pull. Move, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds to shoulder height

• Sitting, walking or standing for extended periods of time

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, operate standard office equipment, and use a telephone

• See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids

• Read and understand rules and policies, labels, and instructions

• Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone

• Verbal communications, including the ability to speak and hear at normal room levels and on the telephone

Work authorization requirements: 

• Clear the Department of Justice background screening

• Authorized to work in the United States

• Provide health (TB) clearance (must be renewed every four years)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Work indoors in a standard office environment, computer lab, and/or classroom environment

• Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments

• Exposure to dust, oils, and cleaning chemicals

• Some exposure to childhood and other diseases in a school environment

• May be required to work outside of typical work days and office hours to meet operational deadlines