School Based Mental Health Counselor (26-27)

About the role

*Job Status: Please note that this is a general posting for current and potential future opportunities. At this time, there may or may not be a vacancy. We are collecting applications on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply. Your application will be reviewed and considered for any opportunity that matches your skills and experience. Please be aware that you may not receive communication regarding next steps until an aligned opportunity becomes available. We appreciate your interest in the role and KIPP Texas.*

About The Role

Every member of the Team & Family at KIPP Texas Public Schools plays a critical role in ensuring our students have the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career and beyond. Our educators are passionate advocates for their students and their families, working tirelessly to ensure that our students have access to opportunity.

In our classrooms and across the KIPP family we embrace, honor and celebrate our differences across several characteristics that construct our unique identities in our little and big KIPPsters. We are especially committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences of our students because we believe the best work we do is grounded in the realities and experiences of our families and KIPPsters.

The primary role of the School-Based Mental Health Counselor is to identify and assist students, families and school systems in overcoming barriers that interfere with learning through the use of assessment, counseling, consultation, and coordination of school and community resources.

The School-Based Mental Health Counselor utilizes knowledge of human behavior, social and emotional competencies, and community systems to guide service delivery. They are an integral part of supporting the whole child and collaborates with the multidisciplinary leadership team to provide guidance, recommendations, and support for student and family needs.

Role Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments of individuals and families with the goal of improving student social, emotional, behavioral and academic outcomes.
• Conduct reliable and valid assessments of students and families to inform the design of interventions to remove barriers to learning.
• Complete assessments of campus needs to prioritize service delivery
• Provide consultation to school personnel, parents/guardians, and community partners for the purpose of enhancing their understanding of student needs, developing effective interventions, and building school capacity.
• Act as a liaison with community agencies to ensure continuity of services.
• Facilitate crisis response and provide follow up crisis counseling and referrals to appropriate providers.
• Demonstrate the use of evidence informed practices in their interventions
• Utilize data in assessing needs of, planning interventions for individual students, groups, and/or whole school population.
• Maintain accurate, complete and punctual records, as well as safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of information as required by law, District policy, and licensing requirements.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethics of the individual's professional code of ethics.
• Meet the minimum professional development requirements as set forth by the licensing board.
• Adhere to state and District mandating reporting requirements as they pertain to safety concerns.
• Utilize evidence-informed practices, skills, and techniques that reflect the understanding of the role of culture in the helping process.
• Empower students and families to gain access to and effectively utilize school and community resources.

Required Education and Experience

Must possess at least one of the following certifications or licenses

• LMSW, LCSW, LCSW-S
• LPC-I, LPC, LPC-S
• LMFT

Additional information

Incumbent is responsible for maintaining active licensure throughout employment. If the incumbent is a LPC-I they must maintain their own clinical supervision throughout employment.

Competency and Skills

This position requires candidates to have knowledge of social services and programs available to meet a range of mental health, physical health, academic, and social service needs, as well as knowledge of state, local, and federal laws impacting the lives of students. Candidates must also have experience in crisis response. Candidates must have the ability to conduct interventions within a broad range of settings, in a professional manner and with competency.

Candidates must be able to work independently demonstrating persistence, self-motivation, and excellent communication, organization and time management skills. Candidates must work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, maintain appropriate boundaries, and serve as a liaison between school and community. Candidates must be able to manage a student caseload for one single campus.

Additional Information

What We Bring to the Table

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families.
• Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.
• Paid family leave.
• Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.
• Employee assistance programs.

KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits

legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insurance.

Physical Requirements

• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday.
• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region.

Additional Requirements

• Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work with frequent interruptions.
• Work Environment: Reports to school site Monday-Friday.
• Typical school environment with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements

Minimal travel; may travel to other school sites or regional offices for professional learning or meetings.