Primary Purpose:

The primary role of the Mental Health Specialist is to assist with identifying and providing support to students, families, and campuses in an effort to overcome barriers that interfere with learning.  The employee will assist with assessments, consultation, and coordination of school and community resources.  The Mental Health Specialist will utilize knowledge of human behavior, social, emotional, and community systems in order to guide service delivery.  The applicant must have general knowledge of and function within the district’s critical response framework and structure interventions accordingly.

Qualifications (Experience/Education/Certification):

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a mental health-related field, preferred
• Mental Health Services Experience, preferred
• Valid Texas drivers license

Major Responsibilities:

• Assist in the assessment of individuals and families with the goal of improving student social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes.
• Support school staff to provide interventions to remove barriers to learning.
• 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.
• Collaborate with campus administration to increase accessibility and effectiveness of services.
• Assist in the referral process for students and families to GISD counseling services and/or community agencies.
• Act as a liaison with community agencies to ensure continuity of services.
• Serve on the district crisis team and threat assessment team.
• Assist with crisis responses at GISD campuses as well as providing support as needed during a district-wide event.
• Gather data that will assist with the creation of interventions for students, student groups, and/or the whole school population.
• Design and provide professional development and workshops for administrators, faculty and community members to support the understanding of social and emotional barriers to learning.
• Ensure that students and their families are provided services within the context of multicultural understanding and competence.
• Collect and interpret individual and family medical and psychosocial histories and communicate any risk concerns with administration.
• Assist in classroom and/or behavioral management planning with parents and professional personnel.
• Possess knowledge and the insight of the importance of thorough risk assessment for suicide and homicide.
• Compile, maintain and file all reports, records, and other documents as required.  Documentation requirements may include, but are not limited to:  evaluations, consent information, referral information, progress reports, Medicaid billing, and service logs.

Other Responsibilities: 

• Maintain confidentiality. 
• Model behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible. 
• Demonstrate an acceptance of and an ability and willingness to work with individuals of varying physical and mental capacities from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. 
• Keep appointments and adhere to designated work schedule. 
• Use time in a productive manner. 
• Demonstrate the ability to successfully work collaboratively and independently. 
• Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor. 

Skill Requirements:

• Knowledge of school district organization and operations.
• Knowledge of mental health.
• Thorough 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 (e.g. laws regarding abuse and neglect).
• Experience with crisis responses, preferred.
• Ability to conduct interventions within a broad range of settings in a professional manner.
• Must work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, maintain appropriate boundaries, and serve as a liaison between school and community.
• Must be able to manage a student caseload for multiple campuses simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Exhibit good listening, negotiation, and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrate ability to work with diverse individuals and community groups.
• Displays professionalism, remains composed under stress, and takes responsibility for personal and organizational commitments.
• Able to work independently and possesses organization/time management and prioritization skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None immediately identified

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard testing equipment; standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; prolonged use of computers
• Posture: Frequent sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Motion:  Repetitive hand movements including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds)
• Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours; occasionally requires district wide travel
• Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under pressure

Note:  The Mental Health Specialist position is dependent on grant funding during the 2024-2025 school year.