LCHS is seeking a Mental Health Professional!
Reports To: LCHS Principal
Length of Assignment: 189 days; follows LCSD Calendar.
Assignment start: 2022-23 calendar
Salary: Determined by experience and the Certified teacher salary schedule:
MA Column ($55,675 base) at 189 contract days. Excellent full benefits provided. Grant funded.
Purpose of Position: The School Social Worker provides essential developmental, preventative, and responsive therapeutic services to improve the social, emotional, and psychological functioning of students and maximize academic achievement. This position identifies and supports students through evidence-based evaluations, care coordination, and Tier I & Tier II interventions. The Social worker provides IEP minutes and supports the MTSS process. The Social Worker responds to referrals from school staff, parents, students, and community partner agencies to provide direct services related to identified needs. The role also assists in the development of a trauma informed, grief sensitive school environment while serving as a liaison between students, schools, families, and community agencies to support the whole child.
Responsibilities:
Duties of this job include, but are not limited to:
● Provides intervention and skill building for students who have been identified for Tier 1 and Tier 2 skill-building and therapeutic supports (individual or group).
● Performs Suicide Risk Assessments (and other behavioral or mental health crisis response including through Safe2Tell) and serves as the mental health consultant on threat assessments, on an as needed basis.
● Provides some Tier 3 services and refers students in need of additional Tier 3 therapeutic services to community-based therapy resources.
● Implements age-appropriate substance use prevention education through groups and individual counseling and provides evidence-based resources to school staff, students and families.
● Provides coordination and delivery of mental health minutes as designated on IEPs, and attends weekly meetings with the Special Education team.
● Collaborates with the School Based Health Center and Solvista providers to ensure consistent delivery of services and supports.
● Maintains accurate records of assessments, needs, and interventions, as well as evidence of student progress toward identified skills.
● Reduces barriers for students and families to access services provided by community-based organizations for treatment, counseling, and other support services.
● Serves as a member of LCHS 1st Responder Team for mental health, crisis response, and social/emotional concerns.
● Participates as a member of the school Multi-Tiered System of Support process to represent social/emotional and mental health perspective, as needed.
● Participates on the District Counseling/Social Work team through monthly meetings.
● Continually collects and assesses data to identify student support needs and measure the impact of interventions, in collaboration with other social emotional team members.
● Supports staff at team meetings to ensure that school-based and community services are communicated and that teams deliver consistent structures and support for students.
● Provides professional development, under the direction of the principal, to promote school-wide SEL initiatives including Collaborative Problem Solving and trauma informed, grief sensitive practices, under the direction of the Principal.
● Utilizes district assessment tools to understand student SEL strengths and lagging skills, and to determine an appropriate course of action.
● Creates and follows referral, intervention and support protocols to meet the most significant needs of all students, building upon social/emotional, behavior, and academic goals to deliver services as appropriate.
● Participates in family engagement efforts that support the social, emotional, and behavioral health of LCHS students, including collaborating with parents for intervention and placement options.
● Works regularly with school leadership to review and flexibly adjust their social work schedule as needed.
● Assists in the promotion of a positive school climate and follows school norms and expectations.
● Promotes a positive professional and ethical image of the school district, social emotional and behavioral-mental health supports and special education services.
● Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
● Must possess (or be able to obtain within 45 days) a CDE Special Service Provider License with Social Worker or Counselor endorsement
● Master’s Degree in Social Work or School Counseling required
● Previous school social work experience preferred
● Be able to motivate, encourage, and work with High School students grades 7-12
● Experience implementing social/emotional curriculum to both classrooms and small groups
● Possess educational and professional experience in social work or counseling
● Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and family situations
● Experience with educational systems and practices, such as MTSS, PBIS, and EL Education preferred
● Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
Logistics:
● Create schedules collaboratively with principal and other relevant staff; continuously revisit schedule with principals to refine and adjust as needed.
● Flexibly adapts to the needs of the school, students, and concerns
To Apply – please complete certified teacher application and letter of interest and submit to Kathleen Fitzsimmons (kfitzsimmons@lakecountyschools.net).
