Mental Health Specialist

WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS RECRUITMENT

JOB SUMMARY
Persons in these positions will work 8 hours per day, 10 months per year. Under general supervision, supports district-wide or school-wide mental health/wellness by providing direct services, consultation and outreach; provides mental health services including counseling, consultation, evaluations, treatment and case management for individuals and families; collaborates with school sites to promote a positive school climate with a focus on mental health prevention, intervention and case management; and performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides direct mental health services including counseling, consultation, evaluations, treatment coordination, individual or group counseling, and case management to students and families.
• Provides consultation and collaborates with school staff, students and/or parents to identify or develop appropriate strategies to support student engagement, social-emotional wellness, behavioral health, and mental health, both in school and home settings.
• Conducts intake assessments for students to develop and implement treatment plans.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of counseling intervention and student’s progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives either independently or in collaboration with a social worker.
• Provides information and support to school staff regarding the school-wide learning environment and identified individual student needs.
• Participates and supports activities and meetings related to student engagement such as alternatives to suspension, student attendance review board (SARB), and re-entry meetings.
• Gathers information about community mental health needs and resources that could be used in conjunction with counseling.
• Serves as a liaison to other departments, agencies and community organizations including making referrals for assistance or support, coordinating activities, resolving issues and conflicts, and exchanging information to help meet student treatment goals.
• Prepares and maintains all required assessment and treatment records and reports.
• Maintains data on the efficacy of services and reports periodic bachelor level progress.
• Supervises, trains, and assigns work of bachelor level interns.
• Assists school social workers by serving as a preceptor with master’s level mental health interns such as reviewing cases with staff, providing feedback and suggestions, modifying treatment plans, and monitoring behavioral plans.
• Holds regular group supervision meetings with interns to guide, direct, and support their work.
• Plans and conducts training for staff, students, and parents specific to socio-emotional and mental health topics.
• Attends and participates in meetings related to school site or individual student mental health needs.
• Participates in the coordination of mental health services for students in emergency or crisis situations; conducts suicide risk and other psychological risk assessments; follows up with family after the event and provides support as needed.
• Attends and participates in professional activities and conferences to keep up-to-date knowledge of trends, practices and continued growth and development.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related mental health field; and a minimum of nine months of post-graduate Master’s-level experience providing mental health services to school age children or families is required. Successful completion or current participation in a Garden Grove Unified School District internship, under the supervision of a school social worker, can substitute for the required education and experience. Experience providing direct mental health support for students in school settings and/or experience providing crisis support is highly desirable. Any other combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.

LICENSE: Must possess and maintain a valid Class C California Driver License and remain insurable at the standard insurance rate. Must possess and maintain a valid registration or license with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) or a valid registration or license with the California Board of Psychology. Valid registration or license must be obtained by the start of employment.

Knowledge of:

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Social and emotional development and needs of school-aged children and adolescents.

• Principles, practices, and techniques related to mental health counseling and behavioral health for school-aged children and adolescents.
• Conflict resolution and group dynamics.
• Crisis management and intervention techniques.
• Current mental health assessments, diagnoses, and treatments for school-aged children and adolescents.
• Diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of students.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to general education, special education, and mental health services.
• Professional writing skills sufficient to write reports and correspondence that may be sensitive and have legal implications.

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Ability to:

• Plan, prepare, and conduct individual and group counseling sessions.
• Achieve and maintain trust and cooperation with peers, families, and students.
• Accurately assess student needs and understand the influence of the environment on their needs.
• Develop, implement, and monitor measurable goals, treatment plans, and interventions for students.
• Exercise discretion and judgment in choosing ethical and appropriate courses of action.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records related to mental health services and treatment.
• Collect and maintain data and relevant information.
• Develop written reports, presentations, and other related materials.
• Use computers and other standard office equipment and software.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively, both in verbal and written form.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, school and district staff.
• Work cooperative and effectively in a team environment.

SELECTION PROCEDURES
The Garden Grove Unified School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying in educational programs, activities or employment on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, parental, pregnancy, family, or marital status or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Applications will be accepted from the general public and district employees who possess the above qualifications. The district reserves the right to invite applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the requirements needed for the position to continue in the examination process. The examination may consist of an evaluation of training and experience, multiple choice, performance, and oral/technical exams. Persons needing reasonable accommodation must notify the Office of Personnel Services by the last day to file. A qualifying score must be achieved on all portions of the examination in order to be placed on the open eligibility list. Outside and district candidates will be placed on one ranked list, with eligible permanent district employees receiving five seniority points which will be added to their final scores.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $6,229.00 – $7,589.00 per month