Centralia-Mental Health Liaison (Special Ed. Dept.) 2024-25

Job Summary:

The Mental Health Liaison works with building and district staff to meet the emotional and mental health needs of students. The Liaison provides crisis intervention support in collaboration with school staff, families and outside mental health providers. The Liaison collaborates with staff, students and families and provides training and support regarding mental health topics.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mental Health, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or related field
• Current Washington State mental health license or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, possess awareness (for self and others), listen actively, be patient, incorporate humor/lightheartedness into work, be empathic, and be customer-service oriented
• Understanding of the laws and regulations relating to confidentiality
• Ability to work with Medicaid and private insurance billing
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, students and families
• Ability to support the District’s vision, mission, and goals
• Demonstrated ability to act independently, responsibility, and efficiently with minimal supervision in a dynamic environment
• Ability to organize and prioritize work
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful experience working with school age children in a school setting
• Understanding of available mental health resources in the region
• Master’s degree in Mental Health, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or related field

Essential Functions:

• Act as a liaison between building administrators, staff, students and parent/guardians to facilitate connection to outside mental health providers
• Assist and train staff in threat assessment, crisis assessment and suicide preventions protocols
• Maintain and complete required records for the purpose of billing Medicaid and/or private insurance
• Maintain electronic and paper records, documenting referrals, interactions and services provided according to district guidelines
• Provides individual and small group therapeutic services to identified students
• Partners with School Counselors to provide preventative education in mental health support
• Connects students and families to community resources
• Supports school teams in conducting crisis and/or threat assessment processes
• Leadership or participation in threat assessment teams within the district
• Willingness to serve on the Tier 2 Threat Assessment team through ESD 113. 
• Works collaborative with students, staff, families and external providers
• Assists other staff with implementation of student supports in the classroom
• Meet regularly with staff to assess, plan and track progress of student mental health needs
• Attend trainings and professional development as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned

Salary: $38.05 - $40.37 per hour, depending on qualifications

Work Schedule: 7:30-4:30, M-F, 8 hours per day, 192 days per year (181 work days and 11 holidays)

Benefits: Twelve (12) sick leave days and three (3) personal leave; eleven 11 holidays; health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance through SEBB; State retirement through DRS.