Mental Health Specialist
- Employer
- Alexandria City Public Schools
- Location
- Alexandria, Virginia
- Closing date
- Sep 29, 2021
View more
- Industry
- Healthcare, Social Services and Mental Health
- Function
- School and Teaching
- Hours
- Full Time
- Career Level
- Experienced (Non-Manager)
Job Details
This is a two-year grant-funded position.
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 falls within 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
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 cross walking 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
- 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.
- 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.
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
Company
Alexandria City Public Schools is one of the most diverse school systems in the country and we celebrate that diversity. Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a rainbow of ethnic and cultural groups. They are economically diverse, but all are rich in that the residents of Alexandria are dedicated to ensuring that each and every one of them achieves success.
The children of Alexandria have benefited significantly from the strong support of City Council and the Alexandria community over the years. Tremendous gains have been made in student achievement and ACPS continues to be in the forefront of technology integration.
T.C. Williams High School is on the cutting edge, both inside and out. The award-winning building features numerous environmentally sound features, such as a 450,000-gallon underground cistern that collects and stores rainwater for building use, and a rooftop garden that provides stormwater management. The redesigned educational program at T.C. consists of smaller learning communities designed to increase academic achievement and the level of student engagement. Students feel more connected to caring adults, and teachers have more opportunity to know and support their students.
The City of Alexandria was recently named one of the Top 100 Communities for Young People by America's Promise, partly because of the quality of our schools and programs. A recent City survey indicates that the number of people who made the decision to live in Alexandria based on the quality of the schools has increased since 2004. We have many reasons to celebrate. ACPS is truly an urban success!
- Location
-
2000 N Beauregard St
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
Get job alerts
Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.
Create alert