Behavior/Mental Health Specialist

SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Behavior/Mental Health, in coordination with the Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services, and in accordance with established policies and procedures, the Behavior/Mental Health Specialist performs a variety of tasks necessary to assist clinic staff, educators, paraprofessionals, other educational support staff, and parents for the implementation of appropriate supports through a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) from early childhood through high school.

The Behavior/Mental Health Specialist will provide training, coaching, technical support and coordination of activities within Eaton RESA’s service area. The Behavior/Mental Health Specialist will coordinate and assist with behavioral observations, support collection of data, participate in team data analyses, consult on the development of functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans, and build capacity and competency levels of clinic staff, building level staff, and intervention teams when appropriate. The specialist will work with students, families, and staff to identify barriers that limit student success, and will develop strategies and resources to improve attendance, reduce behavior incidents and promote family engagement.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work collaboratively across assigned schools with clinical staff, instructional staff, and administrators to build capacity for data collection, problem solving and data-driven instructional decision making processes that support implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) across strategic and intensive intervention and assessment practices to positively impact student growth and achievement.
• Administer and/or assist with implementation of a comprehensive behavioral health/functional behavior assessment for referred students, using validated screening and assessment tools and develop resources for data collection, observation protocols and documentation systems.
• Develop and/or assist with development of treatment service plans/behavior intervention plans for students, with input from school staff, the student and parents/caregivers as appropriate.
• Provide behavioral health interventions and/or counseling services to students to enhance the psychological, behavioral, emotional, cognitive and social factors important for the prevention, treatment, or management of behavioral health concerns.
• Obtain, integrate, and interpret information regarding a student’s behavior and supports necessary for success in school and life, and the planning and managing of psychological services.
• Assess the effectiveness of the delivered services toward achieving the student driven goals and objectives via treatment service/behavior intervention plan review.
• Conduct and/or coordinate professional development, consultation on and coaching supports for staff and administrators on restorative practices, social-emotional functioning and other evidence-based behavioral/ mental health practices.
• Identify and communicate barriers to implementation of successful mental health supports in schools with administrators and staff.
• Meet on a regular basis with the school planning staff and other key staff to review resources and determine referrals needed for individual students to human services, mental health services, behavioral intervention services, and youth development resources outside of the school.
• Provide consultation to clinic staff, administrators, and staff with identification, recruitment and connections to local resources in addressing the behavioral and mental health needs of students.
• Other duties as assigned.

The listed tasks are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all job duties performed nor is it expected that all positions will be assigned every duty.

QUALIFICATIONS

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS (If Applicable):

Required

• Licensed Master Level or Higher Social Work, Psychology, Professional Counseling or other appropriate Mental Health or Behavioral Science License.
• Obtain and maintain Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) – Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certification
  • NOTE: Initial and/or Refresher Training provided by District as necessary

Desired

• Full Licensure

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE:

Required

• Possession of a Master’s Level (or high) degree in Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Sciences or Mental Health related field

Desired

• Three (3) or more years of experience within a human service, behavioral health, mental health, or other related field
• Three (3) or more years of experience supporting youth mental health needs, facilitating behavioral data collection, planning/conducting professional development, and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge and experience in the application of methods and processes for behavioral intervention and mental health supports.
• Knowledge and experience with implementation of nonviolent crisis intervention, advanced de-escalation practices, conflict resolution, and social skills development.
• Knowledge and experience with implementing positive behavior supports and management strategies, and individual student strategies e.g. communication supports, other accommodations and modifications as appropriate.
• Demonstrated ability and experience with development and implementation of intervention programs for youth with challenging behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health issues within school settings.
• Demonstrated ability to work with youth exhibiting noncompliant, oppositional and defiant behavior as well as youth with mental health issues
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive and effective coaching and consultative relationships with administrators, staff, parents, community partners and youth.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences both orally and in writing.
• Advanced knowledge of youth development and behavioral health.
• Demonstrates extensive knowledge and implementation of community resources.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stressful situations.
• Ability follow and maintain all confidentiality and reporting standards as defined by HIPAA and FERPA when engaging with all participants and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and within teams to accomplish identified goals and strategies.
• Demonstrated skills with use of technology to implement work responsibilities
• Demonstrated ability to maintain clinical records through medical record keeping software.

PHYSICAL EFFORT & WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Sitting – possibility of long periods of time
• Standing/Walking/Bending/Stooping – some
• Lifting – involves minor lifting
• Ability to sit on the floor and get up and down from the floor

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Position may require work in the evenings or summer months as requested
• Position requires the employee to provide his/her own transportation for job related travel.
• Position requires regular and predictable attendance at the workplace.

Eaton RESA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identify), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively “Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. In addition, arrangements can be made to ensure that the lack of English language proficiency is not a barrier to admission or participation. Civil Rights Coordinators are located at 1790 E. Packard Hwy, Charlotte, Michigan to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and grievance procedures. Telephone (517) 543-5500.