POSITION: Mental Health and Wellness Associate
SALARY RANGE: Range 40 on the Classified Salary Schedule
WORK YEAR: 10 Months
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
· Completion of a Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or Marriage and Family Therapy;
· Registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC);
· Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker License (LCSW) may apply;
· Experience with K-12 students.
OVERVIEW:
The Mental Health and Wellness Associate will function as part of a comprehensive school team that provides mental health and wellness support for students, staff, and families at the school site level through a multi-tiered intervention framework. Strong communication, organization, and coordination skills will be applied to build collaborative relationships with the teaching staff, school psychologist, school counselors, behavior coaches, health technicians, student and family engagement specialists, and administrators.
The associate will support student mental health needs and school experience through a variety of therapeutic strategies, interventions, and outreach. The associate will provide whole-class social-emotional lessons and will also see students in small groups and individually to support their social, emotional, and academic functioning. The associate will support school-wide mental health and wellness initiatives for students and staff, parent workshops, and training on mental health topics.
Clinical supervision by a licensed clinician who meets the supervision requirements mandated by the Board of Behavioral Services is available for candidates who are in the process of accruing hours for licensure.
The Mental Health and Wellness Associate’s work performance will be supervised by the Director of Mental Health and Wellness.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Provide individual, group, or collateral counseling in the school setting;
· Perform school-based mental health assessments and create treatment plans that demonstrate clinical knowledge with reasonable objectives and goals;
· Implement clinical decision-making in the creation of interventions for the betterment of student's social-emotional and academic functioning;
· Consult with teachers and administration to provide Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) classroom lessons;
· Support the administration of district-approved universal mental health screeners;
· Accurately assess and provide crisis intervention;
· Demonstrate cultural competency in relationships with students, families, and staff;
· Communicate with organizations and/or agencies in obtaining additional services for students and families as needed;
· Participate and collaborate as a team member in SST meetings and other student-specific meetings;
· Maintain case files and records following district and professional standards;
· Maintain professional legal and ethical requirements as required by the State of California, professional associations, and the school district;
· Participate in counseling associate training;
· Participate in weekly individual and group supervision as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or by university policy;
· Maintain documentation of accrued hours for licensure;
· Maintain a consistent weekly schedule that follows the school calendar;
· Perform related duties as assigned.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
· Work independently under general supervision;
· Communicate clearly through all mediums;
· Observe students and read instructional materials, tests, student records, and other printed matter;
· Maintain confidentiality of student records and information while working within a team setting;
· Work with public and outside agencies;
· Prepare reports, presentations, and materials, and present in a group setting;
· Prepare and maintain accurate records and filing systems;
· Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
· Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships and interpersonal skills with others using tact, patience, and courtesy.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
· State of California reporting laws;
· Risk assessment, crisis management, trauma-informed practices;
· Principles and methods of clinical interviewing, social-emotional counseling, crisis intervention, and assessing psychosocial behaviors;
· Recognition of symptoms and behaviors of mental distress/needs in children and/or adolescents;
· Engagement and connection with elementary and/or middle school students;
· Organization, time management, and follow-up skills;
· Effective oral and written communication;
· Collaboration as a member of a comprehensive mental health team.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
· Legal Authorization to work in the U.S.;
· Ability to pass a Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint clearance;
· Within 60 days of hire, provision of TB (tuberculin) clearance, as mandated by the California Education Code.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
During the execution of this role, the employee will regularly engage in verbal communication or auditory activities. Additionally, the employee will frequently need to manipulate objects, tools, or controls using their hands and may also be required to extend their hands and arms. Occasionally, the role may entail standing, walking, sitting, climbing, balancing, as well as stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift arms above shoulders to point, reach, touch, pull, or lift.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The work environment includes working directly with children. There are a number of activities and situations happening at once, and the employee must ensure that children are supervised at all times and that children are involved in safe and appropriate activities. The employee must be prepared to handle accidents and emergencies at any time.
The job entails the potential for exposure to adverse weather conditions and temperature extremes; exposure to blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases; and interaction with disruptive and/or unruly individuals.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:
The Palo Alto Unified School District does not discriminate in any program, activity, or in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation.
PAUSD is an equal-opportunity employer in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $40.20 - $48.90 per hour
Expected hours: 37.5 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Ability to Relocate:
- Palo Alto, cA: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person