SIFE Mental Health Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

The STARS Mental Health Counselor- SIFE Coordinator will be responsible for directing and assisting in the implementation of all program components of the Student Assistance Model in their school(s) assignment.

1. Essential Functions - Specific Job Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to meet the essential functions and job responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

As STARS Mental Health Counselor- SIFE Services:

• Facilitates developmentally appropriate individual and support group education and support sessions for students who may be experiencing one or more of the following issues:

• Symptoms of depression
• Symptoms of anxiety
• Grief and loss
• Struggles with anger management
• Difficulties with staying focused/on-task and following directions at school
• Needs related to social/emotional skills development
• Conflicts in family/peer/school relationships
• Bullying
• Interpersonal violence
• Struggles with self-esteem
• Struggles related to gender identity or sexual orientation
• Other mental health challenges
• Oppositional or defiant behavior
• Challenges with school engagement
• Substance use, abuse and addiction
• Suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors
• Trauma
• Other crisis or challenges

• Provides case management and follow-up services with students, parents, school personnel and community professionals, which includes making appropriate referral services, as needed.
• Conducts parent meetings for students referred to the STARS Mental Health Counselor
• Facilitates restorative practices as requested by school personnel
• Serves and participates on school crisis team

• Provides support and assistance with truancy related issues
• Aides school administration in creating a positive school climate. Provides prevention and intervention services on the following topics:

• Alcohol
• Bullying
• Dating and relationship violence
• Tobacco
• Other drugs
• Positive alternatives to substance use and abuse
• Suicide

• Offers presentations and facilitates trainings for school faculty and students on topics related to mental health, SEL, strategies to support youth and family wellbeing, and related topics
• Collects and maintains all appropriate student data and completes all required program reporting
• Provide school-based individual therapy and related clinical services for students when needed.
• Counselor will attend district meetings and work closely with the MNPS Office of English Learners.
• Counselor will provide home visits to support families as needed.

As Community Participant:

• Serves as an advocate for education, prevention/intervention programs or activities, treatment agencies within the community, and other follow-up support services for the students and families.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with individuals, court services, social service and counseling agencies, public and private associations, and businesses in the community in order to form partnerships and service plans to meet the needs of students and their families as deemed appropriate by STARS.

1. Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Master?s degree in counseling or social work required.
• Bilingual required.
• Three or more years of related experience.
• Knowledge in education and counseling services, including drug, alcohol, and violence prevention.
• Knowledge and experience of social service referral sources in the community.
• Must possess leadership ability and team building skills.
• Good human relation skills, strong verbal and written communication skills required.
• Well-developed problem-solving skills and ability to develop conceptual alternatives.
• Must possess the ability to implement and incorporate existing protocol, practices and policies into the work environment.
• Must have the ability to organize, implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the business.

1. Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

• Exceptional skills in:

• Human relations
• Verbal and written communications
• Problem solving

• Organizational management
• Team building

• Proven ability to:

• Seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing protocol, practices and policies.
• Plan, organize, develop, implement, interpret and support goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc.
• Support organization?s goals and values.
• Respond to common inquiries, issues or complaints from employees, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Lead groups and facilitate discussions.
• Foster a work environment that shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
• Promote a bullying and harassment-free environment.
• Serve a diverse school and community population.
• Build morale and group commitment to goals and support everyone?s efforts to succeed.
• Develop conceptual alternatives and think globally.
• Deliver customer service with both internal and external partners.
• Maintain a high level of personal and professional integrity and ethics at all times.
• Ensure confidentiality and security of sensitive data.
• Facilitate and manage cross-department and cross-company collaboration.

1. Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to quiet.

1. Physical & Mental Demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.