Mental Health Specialist
- Employer
- Alexandria City Public Schools
- Location
- Alexandria, Virginia
- Posted
- Jul 21, 2021
- Closes
- Jan 19, 2022
- Ref
- 2307
- Function
- School and Teaching
- Industry
- Healthcare, Social Services and Mental Health
- Career Level
- Experienced (Non-Manager)
- Hours
- Full Time
Job Description:
The Mental Health Specialist, through the lens of anti-racism and equity, supports the provision of mental health services across the school division. The specialist leads programmatic efforts through the MTSS Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 social-emotional curriculum and interventions across the division and serves as a representative of ACPS in collaborations with community partners. The specialist provides professional development to staff regarding school-based strategies to promote the improved social/emotional and behavioral functioning of students. This job reports to the Office of Equity and Alternative Programs in the Department of Student Services and Equity.
Qualifications:
Education: Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work
Certificates & Licenses: Virginia education licensure in school counseling, school social work, or school psychology required; additional clinical mental health licensing preferred (e.g. LPC, LCP, LCSW)
Experience: Progressive experience supporting school mental health and wellness in educational settings
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Essential Functions:
Clearances:
Public Health Compliance
WP
Primary Location:
Central Office
Salary Range:
Teachers and Other Licensed Staff Salary Scale (http://www.acps.k12.va.us/hr/compensation/)
Shift Type:
Full-Time
The Mental Health Specialist, through the lens of anti-racism and equity, supports the provision of mental health services across the school division. The specialist leads programmatic efforts through the MTSS Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 social-emotional curriculum and interventions across the division and serves as a representative of ACPS in collaborations with community partners. The specialist provides professional development to staff regarding school-based strategies to promote the improved social/emotional and behavioral functioning of students. This job reports to the Office of Equity and Alternative Programs in the Department of Student Services and Equity.
Qualifications:
Education: Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work
Certificates & Licenses: Virginia education licensure in school counseling, school social work, or school psychology required; additional clinical mental health licensing preferred (e.g. LPC, LCP, LCSW)
Experience: Progressive experience supporting school mental health and wellness in educational settings
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Possess a commitment to condemning systemic racism and affirming educational equity
- Demonstrates an understanding of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and the role of social-emotional and academic learning within the framework
- Possesses a knowledge of evidence-and-research based social/emotional and mental health programs and practices
- Demonstrated understanding of PBIS and Restorative Practices preferred
- Ability to design instruments for assessing programs and then collect and analyze data
- Ability to design and facilitate professional development to staff
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing
- Ability to initiate, plan and lead division-wide programs and initiatives
Essential Functions:
- Provide training and support to schools in order to implement Tier 1 social-emotional academic learning curriculum (e.g. RULER) and/or Tier 2 social-emotional interventions (e.g. Bounce Back, Kimochis, Social Thinking) through an anti-racist and equitable framework.
- Compile and coordinate information to create a repository of social-emotional and academic lessons and resources in support of evidence-based programs such as RULER and in alignment to applicable events during the calendar year (e.g. Bullying Prevention Month, Mental Health Awareness Month).
- Support the crosswalking and alignment of the CASEL Competencies, the July 2021 Virginia Social-Emotional Learning standards, and programs and pedagogies (e.g. RULER, Restorative Practices)
- Serve as a consultant to school-based mental health providers in the provision of services.
- Coordinate with community agencies and partners, including social service and mental health services, for the purpose of meeting the needs of ACPS students.
- Assist with the development and implementation of evaluation measures to assess program effectiveness.
- Support Student Services & Equity procedures and training around suicide risk and the applicable components of threat assessment.
- Participate in meetings, workshops and seminars as assigned for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
- Prepare a wide variety of written materials for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
- Research resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate interventions across all tiers of MTSS.
- Supports the provision of services across mental health specialist roles.
- Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the department. May perform other additional duties or tasks in support of an employee group as designated by supervisor.
Clearances:
- Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
- Tuberculosis Skin Test.
Public Health Compliance
- Proof of COVID vaccination. Exemptions for religious/medical will be reviewed.
- Must follow safety and health protocols.
WP
Primary Location:
Central Office
Salary Range:
Teachers and Other Licensed Staff Salary Scale (http://www.acps.k12.va.us/hr/compensation/)
Shift Type:
Full-Time