Mental Health Professional

Kipp Inc; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Zero-deductible health plan

Employer paid short-term disability

Life insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Public service loan forgiveness

Job summary

KIPP St. Louis is seeking a Mental Health Professional to deliver IEP-mandated counseling and behavioral support within a Tier 3 intervention framework. The role emphasizes collaboration with special education teams to implement evidence-based practices and monitor progress toward goals.

The role also focuses on CARE/MTSS coordination, 504 plan support, and acting as a McKinney‑Vento liaison to ensure equitable access and enrollment protections for students experiencing homelessness.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field.
• Valid state licensure or certification in a mental health discipline.
• Experience counseling or behavioral interventions for children or adolescents.

Responsibilities

• Deliver all IEP-mandated counseling and behavioral support services with fidelity.
• Maintain documentation of services in SpedTrack and SCUTA.
• Provide individual and small group counseling aligned to IEP goals.
• Collaborate with IEP teams on student support strategies.
• Coordinate CARE/MTSS processes for intensive interventions.
• Support 504 plans and McKinney‑Vento liaison duties.

Skills

Evidence-based mental health

Crisis intervention

Family and school collaboration

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field

Tools

SpedTrack

SCUTA

Job description

• Compensation: USD 55,000 - USD 70,000 - yearly

Company Description

Mental Health Professional

Position Overview

The Mental Health Professional (MHP) serves as a specialized student support provider responsible for delivering high-quality, compliant mental health services to students with intensive behavioral and social-emotional needs.

In this role, the MHP primarily functions as a Tier 3 intervention provider and IEP service provider, ensuring students receiving counseling and behavioral services through special education receive consistent, evidence-based support aligned to their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

The MHP also coordinates CARE/MTSS processes for students with the most intensive needs, oversees Section 504 plans related to mental health supports, and serves as the school’s McKinney‑Vento liaison for students experiencing homelessness.

This role is designed to ensure compliance with special education service delivery requirements, provide clinical support for students with significant behavioral needs, and strengthen systems that support student well‑being across the school community.

Who we are:

KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis city. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission and vision.

Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

KIPP St. Louis currently educates approximately 2,000 students and boasts hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school.

What makes KIPP St. Louis unique?

We believe that our educators are proving what's possible in urban education each and every day, by inspiring students, and helping them discover the joy of learning. KIPP schools support our educators to help students achieve academic excellence, building the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Together, we are raising the bar for every student, every day.

Job Description

Position type: Full time, exempt, 10 Month

Direct Manager: Mental Health Manager

Special Education Case Managers

Behavior Climate Specialists

Teachers and Instructional Staff

Families and External Mental Health Partners

Autonomy & Decision Making

The Mental Health Professional exercises professional judgment in:

Designing and delivering therapeutic interventions aligned to student needs

Monitoring progress toward IEP counseling goals

Conducting risk and safety assessments

Determining appropriate clinical supports and referrals

Recommending Tier 3 interventions for students experiencing significant behavioral or emotional challenges

Inputs: What will I be doing in my day to day work?

IEP Mental Health Service Delivery

Deliver all IEP-mandated counseling and behavioral support services with fidelity

Maintain timely and accurate documentation of services in SpedTrack and SCUTA.

Provide individual and small group counseling aligned to IEP goals.

Participate in IEP meetings and collaborate with special education teams on student support strategies.

Provide clinical support for students experiencing significant behavioral or emotional challenges.

Implement evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral strategies, trauma-informed interventions, and solution-focused counseling.

Support the development and monitoring of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) for students with intensive behavioral needs.

CARE Team / MTSS Coordination

Coordinate or support CARE/MTSS processes for students requiring intensive interventions.

Facilitate structured problem-solving meetings to identify barriers to student success.

Monitor progress of Tier 3 interventions and adjust supports as needed.

Section 504 Coordination

Support the development and monitoring of Section 504 plans

Collaborate with teachers and families to ensure accommodations are implemented with fidelity.

Maintain documentation and compliance with federal guidelines.

Serve as the school’s McKinney‑Vento liaison, ensuring students experiencing homelessness are identified and supported in accordance with federal law.

Ensure students experiencing homelessness receive immediate enrollment protections and equitable access to school services.

Coordinate supports such as transportation, academic access, and participation in school programs.

Maintain required documentation and ensure compliance with McKinney‑Vento federal requirements.

Partner with families and community organizations to connect students with housing, social service, and community resources.

Provide crisis intervention and mental health risk assessments when necessary.

Support school teams in responding to acute student mental health concerns.

Coordinate with families and community agencies when additional supports is required.

Family & Community Partnership

Maintain consistent communication with families regarding student progress and needs.

Connect families with community resources and external service providers when appropriate.

Collaborate with external agencies to ensure coordinated support for students

Outcomes: What will I be evaluated on?

Service Delivery

IEP counseling minutes delivered with fidelity and compliance.

Student Impact

Improved behavioral and social-emotional outcomes for students receiving Tier 3 supports.

Compliance

Accurate and timely documentation of counseling services and intervention progress.

Systems Coordination

Effective CARE/MTSS coordination for students with intensive needs.

Effective implementation and monitoring of 504 accommodations

Student Access & Equity

Students experiencing homelessness are identified and supported in compliance with McKinney‑Vento requirements.

Barriers to enrollment, attendance, and participation are minimized through coordinated school and community supports.

What skills should I already bring, i.e., what should I already have a track record around?

Expertise in evidence-based mental health and behavioral interventions

Strong knowledge of special education counseling services and compliance requirements

Ability to conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention

Experience supporting students with trauma, behavioral challenges, and emotional regulation needs

Strong facilitation skills for multidisciplinary problem-solving teams

Knowledge of McKinney‑Vento Homeless Assistance Act requirements

Excellent documentation, organization, and time management skills

Ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and school staff

Qualifications

What you bring to the table:

Required

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field
• Valid state licensure or certification in a mental health discipline
• Experience providing counseling or behavioral intervention services to children or adolescents
• Strong understanding of student mental health and behavioral support practices
• Commitment to improving outcomes for historically underserved students

Preferred

• Experience working in a K-12 school setting
• Experience supporting special education counseling services
• Experience with MTSS or student support systems in schools
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices

Additional Information

What we bring to the table:

KIPP St. Louis is committed to pay equity and to ensuring that we do not unintentionally perpetuate historic wage gaps that persist due to individual negotiations. As a result, salaries are not negotiated. We are transparent about salaries in our job postings so that candidates can make an informed decision before beginning the hiring process.

We are a fast paced, energetic team and family with passionate people who are leading a movement and to cultivate their best working environment we provide the following:

$0 deductible healthcare plan option, including medical, vision and dental.

Employer Paid Short Term Disability.

$50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee.

Retirement plan through PSSRSSL with an employer match up to 14% and an optional 403b as a supplement to our pension program

Employee Recognition: When we succeed together, we celebrate together with our annual gala award ceremony, holiday party, and more!

Public Service student loan forgiveness program qualified employer.

Generous time off:

Paid leave for illness, personal days, bereavement, jury duty, and military-related leave

Paid parental leave for new families

Paid holidays, as well as a one week Thanksgiving break, a two-week winter break, a week-long spring break

Wellness days provided throughout the year

KIPP St. Louis is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our students, families, teachers, staff and community members. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.