Mental Health Specialist
Information specific to this position: This position will begin with the 2022/23 school year.
Percentage: 100%
Work calendar days: 186
Duration of position: Ongoing
This is a probationary position. However, PSD employees currently under a licensed contract may apply for this position if selected, will retain contract status.
Additional Information:
Must have a valid Colorado Educator's License with appropriate endorsement.
SUMMARY: Responsible for providing individual, family and group mental health services to students; collaborating with teachers, principals, and staff to assess, refer, or intervene with students; and providing consultation to individuals, school, and district teams.
DESCRIPTION OF JOB TASKS:
1. Perform individual intervention assessments on students, write clear and concise diagnostic results, and maintain necessary documentation of confidential student assessments
2. Develop, plan, prepare, and implement:
a. Individual, measurable, long-term, and short-term objectives based on student identified needs. b. Referrals to, and consultations with, other appropriate agencies and community resources.
c. Effective working schedule.
3. Assess students’ social and emotional development and risk of harm to others and provide suicide assessments for students when necessary.
4. Provide:
a. Direct services to specified students to meet social-emotional needs, including self-advocacy skills.
b. Direct services/consultation to families and staff on intervention strategies for dealing with children.
5. Assist:
a. Teachers in developing instructional modifications to meet students’ needs.
b. With establishing clear expectations for appropriate student behavior.
c. With district crisis events and recovery processes.
6. Monitor student progress, adapt support as needed, and maintain documentation pertinent to academic, social, and emotional progress and needs of students.
7. Communicate students’ progress and needs with parents/guardians and other staff as needed.
8. Collaborate:
a. With teachers, support personnel, administrators, colleagues and community agencies to improve student outcomes.
b. With colleagues in team and building-based meetings and discussions.
9. Demonstrate a commitment to:
a. Understand, appreciate, and make accommodations for student diversity.
b. Include and engage families in the student’s education.
c. Support all Poudre School District policies, procedures, and expectations.
d. Provide personal and professional excellence.
10. Participate in:
a. Multi-disciplinary diagnostic and placement teams.
b. Department, team, building, and district meetings and discussions.
c. Student and/or family conferences and other meetings.
d. Social, cultural, interscholastic, and extracurricular activities.
e. Professional growth opportunities.
11. Attend work and arrive in a timely manner.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:
• Master’s degree in a mental health field required.
• Minimum of five years of experience in youth treatment in a mental health related field preferred.
• Clinical experience (individual, group and family) preferred.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, or CERTIFICATIONS:
• Criminal background check required for hire.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license.
• Valid Colorado Special Services license with proper endorsement required.
• CPR and First Aid certifications encouraged.