Mental Health Specialist

Governmentjobs.com; Granby; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a Mental Health Specialist to support mental health and wellness initiatives at various school sites. This role involves providing direct mental health services, collaborating with educational staff, and creating strategies that foster a positive climate for students. The ideal candidate will hold a Master’s degree in a related field and have relevant experience in mental health services.

Benefits

Up to 22 paid vacation days per year

Social Security coverage

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college with a Master's degree.
• Minimum nine months of post-graduate experience providing mental health services.
• Valid registration or license with California Board of Behavioral Sciences or Psychology.

Responsibilities

• Provides mental health services, counseling, and outreach.
• Conducts intake assessments and develops treatment plans.
• Collaborates with School Social Workers on student cases.

Skills

Crisis management

Counseling

Community resources

Social-emotional wellness

Education

Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or related field

Job description

Mental Health Specialist | Government Jobs page has loaded.

$7,396.00 - $9,012.00 Monthly

Location

Various Locations, CA

Full-Time

Job Number

24/57.0

Special Education/Student Services

Opening Date

06/05/2025

Closing Date

6/26/2025 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND DISTRICT EMPLOYEES

THIS ELIGIBILITY LIST WILL BE GOOD FORSIX (6) MONTHS

WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS RECRUITMENT

ABOUT THE JOB

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND DISTRICT EMPLOYEES THIS ELIGIBILITY LIST WILL BE GOOD FORSIX (6) MONTHS WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS RECRUITMENT
SALARY
All new hires will be placed at the starting salary step of this classification ( $7,396 ). Employees are eligible for a step increase on their anniversary date each year, up to the maximum step 5 of this salary range ( $9,012 ).

JOBSUMMARY
Persons in these positions work 8 hours per day, 10 months per year. Under general supervision of an administrator, helps support district-wide or school-wide mental health/wellness by providing mental health services, such as individual or group mental health consultation, counseling, and outreach; assist with mental health treatment and case management for individuals and families under the direction of School Social Worker or other certificated employee; collaborates with school sites to promote a positive school climate with a focus on mental health prevention, intervention and case management; and performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides direct mental health services including counseling, consultation, evaluations, treatment coordination, individual or group counseling and case management, to students and families, in collaboration with a School Social Worker.
• Provides consultation and collaborates with school staff, students and/or parents to identify or develop appropriate strategies to support student engagement, social-emotional wellness, behavioral health, and mental health, both in school and home settings.
• Conducts intake assessments for students to develop and implement treatment plans, in collaboration with a School Social Worker.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of counseling intervention and student’s progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives either independently or, in collaboration with a School Social Worker.
• Provides information and support to school staff regarding the school-wide learning environment and identified individual student needs, in consultation and collaboration with a School Social Worker.
• Supports students and participates in meetings to encourage engagement, development, and success at school, such as finding alternatives to suspension or other discipline and drafting student re-entry plans.
• Gathers information about community mental health needs and resources that could be used in conjunction with mental health counseling.
• Refers students and families to support services, if needed, when students and families experience food shortages and homelessness, among other things.
• Prepares assessments, treatment records, and reports, as required, at the direction of and/or under the guidance of a School Social Worker or other certificated employee, and maintains all required documents.
• Provides information regarding work assignments (e.g., why job tasks are being performed) and experience to mental health interns job shadowing at the school site.
• Assigns work to mental health interns with authorization from School Social Workers or other certificated employees.
• Following collaboration with a School Social Worker, assists School Social Workers by reviewing cases with staff, providing feedback and suggestions, modifying treatment plans, and monitoring behavioral plans.
• Participates in trainings conducted by School Social Workers specific to socio-emotional and mental health topics.
• Attends and participates in meetings related to school site or individual student mental health needs.
• Participates, alongside School Social Workers and others, in the coordination of mental health services for students in emergency or crisis situations and conducts suicide risk and other risk assessments in collaboration with School Social Worker; follows up with family after the event and provides support as needed.
• Attends and participates in professional activities and conferences to keep up-to-date knowledge of trends, practices and continued growth and development.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related mental health field; and a minimum of nine months of post-graduate Master’s-level experience providing mental health services to school age children or families is required. Successful completion or current participation in a Garden Grove Unified School District internship, under the supervision of a school social worker, can substitute for the required education and experience. Experience providing direct mental health support for students in school settings and/or experience providing crisis support is highly desirable. Part-time experience will be considered and adjusted appropriately. Any other combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.

LICENSE: Must possess and maintain a valid registration or license with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) or a valid registration or license with the California Board of Psychology.

Knowledge of:

• Social and emotional development and needs of school-aged children and adolescents.
• Principles, practices, and techniques related to mental health counseling and behavioral health for school-aged children and adolescents.
• Conflict resolution and group dynamics.
• Crisis management and intervention techniques.
• Current mental health assessments, diagnoses, and treatments for school-aged children and adolescents.
• Diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of students.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to general education, special education, and mental health services.
• Professional writing skills sufficient to write reports and correspondence that may be sensitive and have legal implications.

Ability to:

• Plan, prepare, and conduct individual and group mental health counseling sessions.
• Achieve and maintain trust and cooperation with peers, families, and students.
• Accurately assess student needs and understand the influence of the environment on their needs.
• Develop, implement, and monitor measurable goals, treatment plans, and interventions for students.
• Analyze situations, practice sound judgement, and adopt an effective course of action.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records related to mental health services and treatment.
• Collect and maintain data and relevant information.
• Develop written reports, presentations, and other related materials.
• Use computers and other standard office equipment and software.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively, both in verbal and written form.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, school and district staff.
• Work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment.

SELECTION PROCEDURES

Applications will be accepted from the general public and district employees who possess the above qualifications. The district reserves the right to invite applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the requirements needed for the position to continue in the examination process. The examination may consist of an evaluation of training and experience, multiple choice, performance, and oral/technical exams. Persons needing reasonable accommodation must notify the Office of Personnel Services by the last day to file. A qualifying score must be achieved on all portions of the examination in order to be placed on the open eligibility list. Outside and district candidates will be placed on one ranked list, with eligible permanent district employees receiving five seniority points which will be added to their final scores.

Non-Discrimination Statement:
Garden Grove Unified School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, parental, pregnancy, family or marital status, immigration and citizenship status, military status or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Copies of GGUSD's policies including Uniform Complaint Procedures, Sexual Harassment Nondiscrimination, Title IX Rights and Protection, and Statewide Resources are available upon request.

Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and equity should be directed to the Assistant Superintendent of K-12 Educational Services, Dr. Lorena Sanchez, at [e-mail] or [phone]. Title IX equity and compliance concerns should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator - Chris Francis, Director of Personnel Services at [e-mail] or [phone]. Complaints may be mailed to 10331 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840.

Pupils have the right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs. More information about these rights is available from the California Attorney General, Know Your Rights. Contact the district office to learn more about Title IX and Sex Discrimination/Harassment including how to file a complaint.

INFORMATION ABOUT APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND EMPLOYMENT

HOW TO APPLY: Applications must be completed on our website atwww.ggusd.us . Please note that the district office will not be giving out or accepting hard copy applications for those recruitments that are online only. Please read each posting carefully or call our office if you have any questions. All applications should be received by the Personnel Commission Office by 5:00 p.m. on the last day to file.

VETERAN'S CREDIT: Veterans shall have an additional five (5) points added to their final percentage score on an open eligibility list as prescribed by Education Code, Section 45296. "Veteran" as used in this article means any person who has served in the United States armed forces in time of war, or national emergency declared by the President of the United States of America, and who has been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. "Armed forces" means the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. At least thirty (30) days of active service are required to obtain veteran preference points.

Disabled veterans shall have an additional ten (10) points added to their final percentage score on an open eligibility list as prescribed by Education Code, Section 45296. A "disabled veteran" as used in this article means any veteran who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be ten percent (10%) or more disabled as a result of service in the Armed Forces of the United States. Proof of disability shall be deemed conclusive if it is of record in the United States Veterans Administration.

Additional eligibility may be granted based on future changes to the law and verification from the Veteran's Administration or the United States Office of Personnel Management.

In order to obtain credit, the applicant shall furnish satisfactory proof of qualifying military service prior to establishment of the eligibility list. No adjustment of rank on the list shall be made when such proof is presented thereafter.

A veteran may be credited veterans' preference points only to obtain initial employment in the district. Thereafter, the only additional points for an open examination shall be seniority points granted in accord with section 4220.3(C)2.

HIRING PROCEDURES: Garden Grove is a merit system (civil service) school district. Employment and promotions are based upon merit, fitness and qualifications. The person selected to fill any regular position will be from among the top three ranks on the eligibility list approved by the Personnel Commission. All regular employees will serve a six (6) month probation.

EXAMINATION FOR TUBERCULOSIS:Proof of freedom from active tuberculosis must be furnished prior to employment and must be based upon an intradermal Mantoux tuberculin skin test completed within the last 60 days.

FINGERPRINTING: All new employees will be fingerprinted.

BENEFITS: All classified employees receive the following:

• Up to 22 paid vacation days per year
• Up to 14 paid holidays per year
• Up to 12 sick leave days per year with unlimited accumulation
• Social Security coverage

All regular classified employees who are employed 30 hours or more a week are eligible for the following additional benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for the employee
• Family Life Insurance for the employee
• Generous Retirement Plan (CalPERS)

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYER

9701.89 (Revised: 7/24)