Mental and Behavioral Health Specialist - #9831611

Position Overview:

The Mental and Behavioral Health Specialist is pivotal in the district’s educational model, providing support and guidance for students facing academic and social-emotional challenges. This combined position requires a school psychologist license or a school social worker license, with a preference for LICSW certification. The Mental and Behavioral Health Specialist will primarily focus on providing special education services, including social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health interventions, and conducting evaluation components integral to the special education process and child find initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Provide direct social-emotional skill services to special education students, conducting evaluations and assessments for those suspected of having disabilities.

• Utilize evidence-based best practices across all facets of work, encompassing pre-referral interventions, consultations, and evaluations.

• Participate in designing, implementing, and evaluating early interventions for students encountering academic and behavioral difficulties, including the development of Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP).

• Conduct school-based evaluations in collaboration with the existing school psychologist to ascertain eligibility for special education services.

• Collaborate with community mental health providers and case managers to ensure holistic support for students and families. Facilitate connections between students and families and essential community resources.

• Collaborate closely with school social workers in delivering special education services and supports.

• Provide direct evidence-based and culturally responsive social-emotional interventions for students, consult with staff to provide support and interventions, and interpret behaviors for educational staff.

• Assist in developing and providing crisis responses within the school community, including conducting risk and threat assessments.

• Collaborate with colleagues to develop, plan, and implement best practices tailored to students' needs and abilities.

• Support developing and implementing data collection and analysis systems to facilitate informed decision-making.

• Serve as an administrative designee on Individual Education Plan (IEP) teams, facilitating meetings, recording minutes, and completing due process paperwork.

• Prepare referrals to Child Protective Services for cases of suspected abuse and neglect.

• Uphold and promote the district's overall mission through courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with the public and staff, fostering a harmonious and effective workplace environment.

• Adhere rigorously to due process requirements and state and federal laws governing students with disabilities, and uphold professional ethics and standards of practice in school psychology or school social work.
   

Required Knowledge and Skills

Required Knowledge:

• District policies and procedures.

• Principles, practices, and ethical standards of school psychology or school social work.

• Laws, codes, and regulations related to special education

• Disabilities and accommodations.

• Computer applications related to the work.

• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Required Skills:

• Participating in the special process of child find and providing special education services aligned with IEP needs

• Interpreting and applying state and Federal statutes, codes, rules, and regulations. 

• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.

• Operating a personal computer using standard and specialized software.

• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities. 

• Commitment to the District's mission is to ensure high-quality, innovative, challenging education where all learners are valued and respected.

• Performing assigned responsibilities consistent with the District’s established Core Values.

• Advancing the District’s mission and values through careful attention to the key issues of Learning, Environment, and Resources.