Job Description

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, the School Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker will promote student success, provide preventative services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive developmental school mental health program that seeks to meet the needs of the whole student. The School-Based Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker will seek to develop and facilitate programming that effectively removes barriers to learning and equip students with the necessary tools needed to navigate their educational experience and beyond.

KIPP Student Support Services (S3) exists to prevent, respond to, and minimize the barriers to learning that KIPP Texas students may experience. Reporting to the School Leader/Principal, the School-Based Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker is responsible for developing, coordinating, and facilitating comprehensive mental health programming at their assigned school. This may include providing direct support to students, coordinating resources for families, coordinating data-driven interventions and programming, and facilitating professional development for staff and parents. This position furthers the mission of KIPP Texas as it helps ensure that all students have the tools they need to learn.

DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The School Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker will have responsibilities such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Selects and administers age appropriate assessment methods and materials in order to determine the needs of the student.

• Develops and implements direct intervention strategies for students, teachers, and families to resolve stressors and remove barriers that interfere with student success. 

• Conducts specialized individual and group counseling sessions to address specific emotional, social, and behavioral needs of students.

• Mobilizes and coordinates community resources for students and families to address academic, behavioral, emotional, and social needs.

• Develops and creates strategies for parents, teachers, and students on instructional and behavioral issues.

• Develops and builds community agency partnerships with service providers to expand resources available to students and families.

• Provides crisis management services, including assessing for safety.

• Advocates for student services and students’ best interests.

• Provides case management services including, but not limited to, referrals to community resources, collaboration with other professionals.

• Provides trainings and workshops to teachers, school staff and parents

• Serves as a liaison between the student, home, school, private counseling facilities and

community resources such as social services, court services, and family service agencies.

• Acts as a member of the regional and state crisis response team.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to synthesize knowledge and present it to stakeholders, including parents, students, and administrators, in a comprehensive manner

• Ability to work both on broad-based strategy and everyday details

• Independent, self-starter with a strong focus on student development

• Strong organizational and planning skills

• Possession of a passionate and loving attitude toward all children

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)

• Proficiency using computers, printers, copy machines, and fax machines

• Reliable transportation is needed to travel between campuses

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 

Accomplished professional experience in one or more of the following settings: PK-12 schools, early childhood centers, out-of-school-time programs. The ideal candidate will have the following experience, expertise, and skills:

• Master’s degree in school psychology, social work, psychology, counseling or related field.

• Must hold one of the following license types: LPC-I, LPC, LPC-S, LMSW, LCSW, or LMFT or TEA School Counselor Certification. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Training/adult education experience.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Demonstrated facility with utilizing data to inform programmatic decisions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization's facilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• Typical school environment with frequent interruptions

Additional Information

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The School Mental Health Counselor will be funded directly from the Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants awarded by the Texas Education Agency under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (ESSER II) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ESSER III). This position will be funded solely (100%) from the ESSER II and III allocation for direct expenses through September 30, 2023, and may continue to be funded through September 30, 2024, depending upon the availability of ESSER grant funds. At the end of the grant period this position may be eliminated unless other sources of funds are secured to maintain this position or a similar position. The employee must sign this job description acknowledging receipt of the job description and signing their acknowledgement that this position is grant funded and is temporarily aligning with the terms of the grant period.