Summary:
Join our team as a Special Education Behavioral and Mental Health Professional to provide critical support to students with emotional, social, and behavioral challenges. This role involves conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and delivering individual and group therapy. You'll collaborate with educators, families, and community agencies to implement mental health strategies and crisis interventions. The position requires a valid California mental health license (MFT, LCSW, LPCC, or Clinical Psychologist) and experience working with children in behavioral or mental health settings. This is a site-based role requiring travel between schools in Hemet, San Jacinto, Idyllwild, and Anza, without mileage reimbursement.
Special Notes:
Site Support / Travel: These positions require the contracted employee to drive site-to-site daily supporting student assessments. The District will not provide mileage reimbursement to the contracted employee. Our school sites are located in the Hemet, San Jacinto, Idyllwild, and Anza areas.
Average Assessments completed per psych - 70
Caseload - 960 students (This is based on our contract language requiring a psych per 1000 students within the district) This average covers ALL students, not just Special Ed students.
JOB SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Director of Special Education or designee, the Special Education Behavioral and Mental Health Professional will serve as the professional clinician, providing counseling and therapy
to students eligible for special education. The Special Education Behavioral and Mental Health Professional shall be registered as a Marriage Family Therapist (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and shall work within the limits of the licensing board and professional standards. The Special Education Behavioral and Mental Health Professional will use established clinical methods and procedures for assessment, planning and implementation of treatment plans, and non-medical psychotherapy to serve students whosuffer from serious and persistent emotional, mental, and/or other behavioral challenges.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Conducts clinical interviews to gather information, assess student needs, determine level of hazard to self or others, determine need for hospitalization, and develop diagnostic information.
● Provides crisis intervention and individual counseling for students on clinical issues including, but not limited to, treatment and medication compliance, depression, anxiety, and other mental and/or behavioral health matters.
● Leads and facilitates therapy groups to focus on clinical issues.
● Provides individual, group, and family therapy and social rehabilitative services.
● Provides case management and consultation services related to therapeutic needs of students with emotional disturbance, behavioral, and/or mental health needs.
● Prepares reports and correspondence and maintains a variety of documentation, including but not limited to, charting observed behaviors, progress reports, dismissal summaries, incident reports, referrals, and other data.
● Supports the development and implementation of Positive Behavior Support Plans for students.
● Coordinates with the case carrier, mental health team members, probation officers, community support service providers, and other agencies to obtain information, coordinate services, and determine appropriate treatment plan(s) for students.
● Implement and monitor established treatment plans to ensure student progress.
● Develop and implement professional development in areas related to behavioral and mental health including, but not limited to: educationally related mental health services; functional analysis assessment and data collection, positive behavior intervention and support plans, and evidence-based practices.
● Attend and actively participate as a liaison in meetings both in and out of the District, including but not limited to, IEP meetings, Mental Health Team meetings, SELPA meetings, community events related to mental health services, and other meetings as assigned.
● Promote awareness, communication, and public relations between parents, community partner agencies, and other public and non-public agencies regarding behavior and mental health services.
● Participate as a member of the District Crisis Intervention team to provide support, counseling,
and guidance to students, staff, and school sites in need following a tragic event.
● Participate as a member of the IEP team as appropriate.
● Maintain knowledge of current laws and regulations pertaining to individuals with exceptional needs.
● Assist in the implementation of state and federal laws to maintain district compliance.
● May oversee and verify fieldwork requirements of the MFT/LCSW Associate(s), AMFT, ACSW, APCC, MFTT, PCCT, or MSW Intern;
● May provide weekly individual and group supervision in compliance with the BBS.
● Perform other related duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
● Psychological and social aspects and characteristics of children with emotional, social, behavioral, and/or mental health needs.
● Principles and methods of counseling and assessment of children with emotional, social, behavioral, and/or mental health needs.
● Overall growth and development of children.
● All areas of elementary and secondary curriculum and recent educational research in the education of individuals with exceptional needs including evidence-based practices, curriculum modifications, positive behavior interventions, and mental health interventions.
● Current laws and regulations pertaining to individuals with exceptional needs, including eligibility criteria and the identification, placement, and review process as well as health and social services, privacy rights, and mental health requirements.
● Pharmacology of medications and drug treatment.
● Applicable treatment modalities and theory.
Ability to:
● Provide crisis assessment and/or intervention
● Develop and coordinate programs.
● Negotiate and resolve conflicts and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.
● Deal effectively with parents, teachers, administrators, and students.
● Maintain high standards of professionalism.
● Organize and manage time effectively.
● Work both collaboratively and independently.
● Demonstrate leadership and organizational skills.
● Access and use District-adopted web-based systems
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
● Three (3) years of successful experience working with children in a private or governmental agency providing direct behavioral and/or mental health services.
● Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis strategies and techniques and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) desirable
● Any combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to a Master’s degree in Psychology, mental health counseling, or social work
REQUIRED LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATES
● Valid California State Board of Behavioral Science Examiner License as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Clinical Psychologist.
● Completion of, or ability to complete within sixty (60) days of hire, the appropriate clinical supervision course to supervise an AMFT, ACSW, APCC, MFTT, PCCT, or MSW Intern as specified by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
● Requires use of personal automobile, and the possession of a valid California Class Driver’s License and proof of current and appropriate auto insurance coverage. If required to drive a District vehicle, must be insurable at standard market rates under the District’s insurance policy.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position must perform in carrying out the essential job duties and responsibilities listed above.
Physical Demands: Occasionally lift, push, pull, run, carry and drag items up to 10 pounds (occasionally), up to 25 pounds (infrequently), and up to seventy-five (75) pounds (rarely); walk over rough or uneven surfaces, stand for extended periods, sitting for extended times; bending at the waist, stoop, and twist (continuously); squat, kneel or crouch, climb stairs (frequently); Grasp and manipulate materials, equipment, and supplies (frequently); climbing, reaching to retrieve and maintain files and records; reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment, computer keyboard; and other equipment necessary to complete the required duties; use hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone
(continuously);