Classification: Certified Location: Assigned School 

Reports to: School Principal FLSA Status: Exempt 

Bargaining Unit: Ancillary (197 Working Days) 

Position Summary: 

The licensed clinical social worker, or licensed mental health counselor works with the principal in carrying out the school’s mental health program.? As a professional educator with a mental health perspective, the social worker or mental health counselor understands and responds to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. The social worker or mental health counselor provides proactive leadership to engage all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to support the students’ personal, mental health, and social development.? The social worker or mental health counselor may be assigned at the elementary, middle, or high school level.? 

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Specific to Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC):? The licensed clinical social worker or licensed mental health counselor will work as a member of the school's Tier III intervention team in collaboration with administrators and school counselors to provide support to students, school staff and parents in the development of a positive school climate and a successful learning environment. The focus of the position will be to serve as a resource for students, school staff and parents/families by addressing the needs of students identified as at risk for school failure because of behavioral, social, mental and/or emotional challenges through individual and group counseling intervention using selected evidence-based programs to promote student mental health as well as pro-social, relational, and self-management development. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) will also develop and implement with school counselors a staff training program to enhance knowledge of classroom management, social skill building, mental health awareness and suicide prevention strategies. The individual will act as a direct provider of both group and individual counseling services to students identified as experiencing significant mental health challenges and needing specialized mental health intervention to gain the social and behavioral skills necessary to engage in learning. 

Supervision: 

The employee works with a high level of independence and professional discretion under the general supervision of a designated district administrator.? The employee’s work is governed, controlled, and evaluated by acceptable professional practice, school and district policies and regulations, provisions of Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington, direction of the supervisor, and performance standards and expectations as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement 

Duties and Responsibilities: (depending on specific assignment, duties and responsibilities listed may include, but are not limited to the following) 

1. Implements the district’s mental health program and serves as a resource for building staff, administrators, and parents in working with students, creating a positive school climate, and helping students develop a positive self-concept. Consults with district administration and building staff with respect to development of the curriculum to meet the identified needs of the students. ??Participates or leads development of positive behavior support systems and development of intervention strategies in Tier 2 and 3. 

1. Works directly with students to help them learn how to manage themselves, make decisions, and deal with change. Guides and assists students in peer relationships and in developing effective coping skills necessary to refuse participation in substance abuse, physical violence, or other at-risk behaviors.? Provides individual and small-group counseling to support peer mediation and crisis intervention. 

1. Coordinates the effort necessary for the referral of families to special in-district and out of district services. Assists with staff training, including training in the identification of high-risk youth and effective interaction with those students in the school setting.? Provides referrals for students and their families related to use, misuse and abuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. 

1. Initiates and maintains adequate student and office records. 

1. Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes. 

1. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Candidate must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population. 

1. Successful completion of a master’s degree in school counseling, psychology, therapy, or social work and required state certification as an educational staff associate in counseling, psychology or social work AND be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of New Mexico. 

1. License issued by the New Mexico Public Education Department 

1. Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in the field of counseling/mental health and counseling/therapy techniques. 

1. Demonstrated ability to use conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills 

1. Demonstrated ability to apply and effectively use a variety of evidence based personal and family counseling models. 

1. Strong assessment, analytical and diagnostic skills. 

1. Demonstrated ability to relate in a positive way with students, staff, parents, and the community. 

1. Demonstrated skills in human relations including demonstrating sensitivity to the needs and concerns of others. 

1. Understanding of unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual characteristics of students. 

1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing with clarity. 

1. Ability to work cooperatively in a team and with staff, administrators, and support personnel in a team approach to solving individual student learning and behavior problems. 

1. Ability to maintain high ethical standards throughout all duties. 

1. Ability to provide direct counseling and social skill building to groups of identified students. 

1. Ability to appropriately intervene in crisis situations. 

1. Ability to establish and maintain open and stable interpersonal relationships. 

1. Ability to maintain confidentiality. 

1. Demonstrated sensitivity to cultural, developmental, religious, and ethnic diversity of students and community. 

Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position: 

• The physical demand and work environment 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. 

• The employee must lift and/or move 25 to 50 pounds, and may assist, move, or restrain students with greater weight when required to intervene in student safety issues.  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, sit, lift, carry, move about, hear, and speak.  

• Noise level may be high from kitchen equipment and students during mealtime. 

• Required to stand, be on feet for prolonged periods of time, and move around for a full work shift and perform repetitive movements. 

• Other physical abilities include carrying, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping, and reaching.  

• Employee should be able to withstand heat from ovens, burners, steam trays.  

• Employees with be exposed to cutting and slicing equipment and machines with moving parts.  

• Performs under strict meal deadlines; required to time task for completion in proper sequence; required to anticipate quantities and order for cost efficiency and proper storage. 

• May experience frequent interruptions; required to deal with a wide range of student, staff, and public behaviors, may be required to shift focus to respond wo student, staff, and public needs; may experience daily shifts in work schedule according to building usage; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult individuals. 

• Required to move, push. Lift heavy supplies and full pans of food weight up to 50 pounds. 

• Ability to use computer equipment to complete reports, maintain inventories, etc.  

• It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials or illnesses during their duties. Required to wear protective clothing and assist student by cleaning up meal spills.  

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.