District Mental Health Counselor - Thomaston-Upson Schools

Role: Mental Health Counselor

Reports to: Director of Student Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

Contract Days: 190 Days

Retirement: TRS

Job Description

TUCS has identified a need for a counselor specifically responsible for building students' capacity for academic

success through mental health support services and positive social and emotional well-being.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Education, Training, & Experience:

â— Georgia certification and/or experience in on the following areas: school-based behavior management, school

counseling, school psychology, and/or school social work.

â— Experience or interest in working toward licensing as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed

Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred.

â— Experience working with students in need of mental health services in a school setting.

â— Experience developing and delivering professional development.

â— Experience in implementing and providing guidance on trauma-informed instructional practices.

Knowledge of:

â— Behavioral modification and crisis intervention strategies/techniques

â— Conflict resolution and youth leadership and empowerment strategies

â— Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports

â— Multi-tiered Systems of Supports

â— School-based counseling techniques related to crisis intervention and stabilization

â— Mental health and wellness related community and state resources

â— Behavioral and education-based mental health needs of students with mental health disorders

â— Identification of and services to address substance abuse disorders

â— Identification of and services to address physical, emotional, and sexual abuse

â— Understanding of IDEA, Section 504, and ADA

â— Understanding of HIPPA and FERPA

Responsibilities:

The district-wide Mental Health Counselor will work with administrative teams and school-based counselors to do

the following:

â— Provide mental health and wellness services and programs that foster pro-social skills and appropriate

behavior

â— Provide support in the development of Behavior Intervention/Correction Plans

â— Provide training to students, parents, and school staff in behavioral and social-emotional related preventions,

interventions, and curricula

â— Collaborate with school teams and attend various school-site meetings

â— Assist school based MTSS teams in reviewing discipline data and identifying the mental health and

behavioral needs of students

â— Assist the district/school-based MTSS teams in developing a system of universal screening and development

of a district-wide system of social-emotional supports for early identification of students at risk

â— Assist school-based counselors and MTSS Coordinators in coordinating interventions with students related to

social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns

â— Assist school-based counselors in providing follow-up and implementation of reintegration plans for students

who are returning to school from hospitalization and/or facility stays

â— Assist school-based teams in completing risk assessments and securing home/mental health support for

students with suicidal/homicidal ideation

â— Serve as a liaison to/for community resources; next steps involving short-term and/or long-term therapy,

interventions, and/or advocacy (LIPT, CHINS, FINS)

â— Maintain and track documentation of mental health support for students

Important Notes

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Job descriptions are designed and intended only to summarize the essential duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements for the

purpose of clarifying the general nature and scope of a position's role as part of the overall organization. Job descriptions do not list all

tasks an employee might be expected to perform and they do not limit the right of the employer/supervisor to assign

additional tasks or otherwise to modify duties to be performed - even if seemingly unrelated to the basic job. Every

employee has a duty to perform all assigned tasks. (An employee who is assigned a duty or task believed to be unlawful should report the

assignment to the Human Resources Director.) It should also be noted the order of performance responsibilities as listed in the job

description is not designed or intended to rank the duties in any order of importance relative to each other.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

In filling a vacant position, preferred or required credentials regarding education, training, experience, and other bona fide occupational

qualifications may be established. The credentials shown in this job description may be interpreted only as the minimum criteria existing at

the time the description was developed. Other bona fide occupational qualifications and criteria may be utilized as needed in the selection

process.