Mental Health Specialist

SUMMARY:  The Mental Health Specialist provides direct therapy and intervention services to students within local school districts and assists in the development and implementation of treatment plans related to the educational, social, and emotional needs of children.  The Mental Health Specialist facilitates mental health screenings, provides treatment to address mental health challenges, and assists school district staff to develop plans to address social/emotional needs of students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a licensed or limited-licensed psychologist, school psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, marriage and family therapist or professional counselor.  
• Currently licensed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
• Capable of developing individualized programs for students with unique social-emotional needs.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Expertise in positive behavior supports and therapeutic interventions.
• Ability to provide in-service training to staff and parents.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team of administrators, teachers, and parents.
• Ability to adapt/function independently within a variety of school districts.
• Demonstrated capacity to assist educators in developing strategies/plans to ensure student success.
• Demonstrated ability to be organized, self-motivated, and enthusiastic.
• For psychologists and social workers:  Eligible for full or temporary approval as a school psychologist and/or school social worker in Michigan.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Provide direct therapy and intervention services, including crisis intervention.
• Provide a problem-solving service to children and their families through individual, group, and community methods, so as to enable those served to cope with problems adversely affecting the ability of children to make optimal use of the educational experience.
• Provide therapeutic interventions to build skills in areas including, but not limited to, self-regulation, social skills, problem-solving, and independence.
• Serve as liaison between school, the home, and the community in building and maintaining positive relationships.
• Facilitate mental health screenings and assessments as required.
• Coordinate and develop resources within and outside the school system for use by children, their families, and school personnel.
• Collaborate with principals, teachers, and other school personnel to improve use of existing school programs and procedures, as well as to plan and implement new programs and procedures related to the educational, social and emotional needs of children.
• Assist in the development and implementation of functional behavioral assessments, behavioral intervention plans, emergency student assistance and school-based risk assessments.
• Use data-based decision making to lead a problem-solving model in dealing with student academic and behavioral concerns.
• Facilitate professional learning for regional and district staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure timely documentation for all required compliance activities to include Plans of Care, case notes, , and school-based health services billing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

• Must maintain the confidentiality of Marquette-Alger RESA and LEA affairs at all times.
• Must exercise confidentiality and sound judgment when working with local school districts, staff, students, and community agencies.
• Must demonstrate excellent oral/written communication skills.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in computer/software use, including Google Suite, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must be highly organized and able to manage multiple activities/projects simultaneously while using resources efficiently.
• Must obtain and maintain current “Handle with Care” certification as a condition of employment. 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Sit, stand and walk for extended periods and move between and within multiple work sites, including buildings that may require use of stairs.  
• Sustain focus and activity for the duration of therapy/intervention sessions and a full workday.
• Use hands and fingers to handle documents and regularly operate computers, telecommunication devices, and standard office equipment.
• Assist with lifting, transferring, and positioning students, including those with limited mobility, using proper mechanics and available equipment.
• Communicate effectively in spoken and written form; hear and respond to students, families, and staff in person, by phone, and virtually.
• Possess close, distance, and peripheral vision sufficient to observe student behavior, assess needs, and complete documentation.
• Respond immediately and appropriately during behavioral crises, applying “Handle with Care” de-escalation and physical intervention techniques while maintaining the safety of the student, self, and others.
• Complete and maintain “Handle with Care” certification; apply approved de-escalation and physical restraint techniques during behavioral crisis to maintain the safety of student, self, and others. 
• Physically respond to aggressive or unsafe behaviors, which may require rapid movement and exerting force to safely hold, guide and redirect, or restrain student using proper body mechanics and team techniques.  
• Operate a motor vehicle and travel independently to multiple regional sites (Marquette and Alger counties), and possibly other Upper Peninsula counties or statewide, including in variable Upper Peninsula weather and seasonal driving conditions.
• Work is performed across varied environments, including K-12 school buildings, offices, therapy/counseling spaces, and community settings.
• Frequent, close interaction with students of varying ages and abilities, families, school staff, and community agencies.
• Regular exposure to students in crisis or emotional distress; requires emotional resilience and adherence to professional/ethical boundaries.
• Noise levels vary from quiet (offices, counseling rooms) to moderate/loud (classrooms/common areas/group activities).
• Potential exposure to typical childhood illnesses, requiring adherence to universal precautions and infection-control protocols.

 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Part-Time (approximately one day per week). Must have regular and reliable job attendance, satisfactory performance, and the physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

 

REPORTS TO:  Director of Mental Health Services

 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:  According to Marquette-Alger RESA MEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Marquette-Alger RESA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition), age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected basis, and prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment. Marquette-Alger RESA’s Non-discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Non-Retaliation Policy, as well as the grievance procedure for reporting concerns or complaints, are available at maresa.org/about-us/notice-of-nondiscrimination.