Mental Health Counselor (2026-27SY)

DIVISION: Student and Family SupportsGRADE: T4-T7DEPARTMENT: School Counseling & Social-Emotional LearningWORK DAY: 190REPORTS TO: Building PrincipalFLSA STATUS: ExemptJOB CLASS: 4020GROUP: CertifiedPosition SummaryThe 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.Minimum RequirementsEDUCATION:Masters in counseling, social work, psychology, or other related fields.CERTIFICATION/LICENSE:Independent clinical licensure by the state of GA preferred (eg. LCSW, LPC) or show work towards attaining clinical licensureClearance CertificateWORK EXPERIENCE:Experience working with students and families in need of mental health services.Knowledge of tiered intervention practices, brief counseling techniques, and crisis intervention.Experience and/or ability to develop and present professional learning on mental health and wellness topics requested by the assigned schoolExperience in understanding the common mental health diagnoses among youth Knowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesPrior training is expected in Suicide Assessment Protocols, Trauma Informed Practices, and Mental Health First Aid. If prior training has not occurred, training will be provided.Ability to rapidly build rapport with a diverse student and family population and then leverage these relationships to provide effective counseling practicesAbility to communicate effectively with various stakeholders both in and outside of school buildingsKnowledge of school evaluations and how to interpret clinical and psychological evaluationsKnowledge and understanding of the developmental stages of youth and the various changes that can be impacted by mental health Essential DutiesAssists in developing a school-based mental health and wellness program designed to support the physical, social, emotional, and mental development of studentsCollaborates 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 supportsProvides 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 discussionsCreates and facilitates 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 to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unitPhysical Abilities And Working ConditionsThe Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Continued Employment listed in this section are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Continued Employment which may be required of positions in this class. Clarke County School District encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in this class and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Human Resources Department for further information.Vision:Hearing:Speech:Upper Body Mobility:Strength: Some lifting Environmental requirements:Mental Requirements:Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: Generally, the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking, and 20% standing.It is the policy of the Clarke County School District not to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability or any other legally protected status in its educational programs, activities or employment practices. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, management and administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.Last Updated: 09/2024