MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

Salary Schedule

To provide an appropriate educational atmosphere that encourages positive learning for all students. To participate in a dynamic setting with teachers, administrators, curriculum specialists and other staff members in the development and implementation of the school’s programs and goals. To facilitate, coordinate and expand school-based mental health and related services for students with disabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master’s degree from an accredited university.


2. Florida licensure in Mental Health Counseling.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of counseling techniques, services and child development; ability to communicate effectively using written and oral communication skills; knowledge of current research; basic knowledge of technology; planning and organizational skills; ability to coordinate services and programs; skills in analyzing, diagnosing and evaluating student progress and programs,; ability to use effective, positive interpersonal skills. Knowledge of Exceptional Student Education basic legal requirements as related to mental health counseling. Knowledge of Florida legal requirements as related to mental health counseling. Commitment to a core set of beliefs about supportive counseling, learning and ongoing professional development. Must have reliable transportation to get to the various schools and agencies as needed.

REPORTS TO:  Supervisor depends on area of assignment

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
∗ Provides ongoing consultation with families of students with disabilities.
∗ Collaborates with school teams to provide appropriate services for students.
∗ Assesses counseling needs of students with disabilities.
∗ Assists with the provision of individual, group and family counseling to students and their families.
∗ May, under special circumstances, provide direct counseling services.
∗ Coordinates needed services from other providers, i.e. educational, social and community service systems, for students and families.
∗ Serves as a liaison and maintains professional relationship between school SEDNET 7A and community mental health providers.
∗ Provides technical assistance and disseminates information to school staff, students and parents regarding school-based mental health services and other related issues.
∗ Upon identified need or request, provides training in the area of expertise.
∗ Facilitates school-based mental health operating procedures and tracking systems.
∗ Maintains ongoing database of community mental health providers.
∗ Monitors current school-wide documentation, monthly activities, and standardized records system on students and families receiving counseling.
∗ Responsible for timely and accurate information maintained as part of job, including mid and end-of-year comprehensive reports.
∗ Responsible for keeping up to date on current technology being used by OCPS, as job appropriate. With the support of the district, attends trainings to ensure skill level in various technologies is at the level required to perform in current position.
∗ Implement knowledge of the Response to Intervention model in both academic and behavioral structures.
∗ Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

ADA COMPLIANCE:

Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate to significant physical effort, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects, materials, and individuals of moderate weight (12 -20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.

Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease or pathogenic substances. However, violent verbal and/or physical aggression may be exhibited. Exposure to bodily fluids may occur.

EVALUATION:
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions as set forth in the OCPS Instructional Personnel Evaluation System procedures manual. Building administrators and/or ESE District Administrator will use comparable assessment documents for evaluation purposes.