Overall Purpose

The Mental Health Counselor is responsible for creating and facilitating a school-based mental wellness program that helps students navigate their mental health challenges and achieve their personal goals through tiered supports.  Mental Health Counselors will help students academically, socially, and emotionally through individual and group counseling. They will collaborate with educators, caregivers, and other professionals to create a safe and supportive learning environment.

Direct Supervisor

Building Principal

Essential Functions

•  Assists in developing a school-based mental health and wellness program designed to support the physical, social, emotional, and mental development of students
• Collaborates with other support staff to effectively integrate students back into the learning environment when there have been transitions (eg. hospitalizations, alternative placements, housing transitions)
• Provides direct mental health support sessions for students while utilizing data to manage caseload, document services provided, and define short-term and long-term goals 
• Creates student mental health and wellness councils to promote and sustain applicable initiatives.
• Collaborates and consults with District Mental Wellness Specialists, school-based school counselors, and school social workers to provide tiered intervention supports
• Provides crisis care support through collaboration with support team members (eg. conducting district suicide protocol, mental health first aid, threat assessment)
• Fosters relationships with service providers in the community and utilizes centralized resource lists in order to provide information and referrals. 
• Attends parent/student meetings; can include Parent/Teacher conferences, 504 plans, IEPs, Case Management Consultations, community support discussions
• Creates and facilitate professional learning opportunities for the school community (eg. students, caregivers, and/or staff)
• Attends professional development provided at the district, state, and national level (as applicable).
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit

Marginal Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Competencies

• Skills-based Competencies Required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; preparing and maintaining accurate records; planning and managing projects; facilitating meetings; promoting activities and/or events; and using pertinent software applications.

• Knowledge-based Competencies Required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percentages, and/or ratios; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: stages of child development; basic counseling skills, management, and leadership; ability to work with individuals, small groups, classroom groups, and collaboratively with stakeholders; ability to communicate effectively; demonstrated skills in oral and written communication; demonstrated skills in organization and problem solving; ability to analyze existing processes and identify areas for improvement, possess awareness of the personal values, beliefs and biases, knowledge of counselor and client identity development, worldviews, the nuances of culture and the positive and negative effects of privileged and marginalized statuses, and ability to tailor interventions that align with the cultural worldview of students and families.

• Ability-based Competencies Required to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing a variety of complex processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with frequent interruptions.

Requirements

Masters in counseling, social work, psychology, or other related fields.

• Independent clinical licensure by the state of GA preferred (eg. LCSW, LPC) or show work towards attaining clinical licensure
• Clearance Certificate

Physical Requirements The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity.

Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. Continuing Education/Training Maintains all licenses and certifications

Clearances

Criminal Justice Fingerprint

Background Clearance

Fair Labor Standards Act

Exempt