Mental Health Specialist

Lansing School District; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lansing School District is hiring a Mental Health Specialist to deliver direct services, conduct screenings, and coordinate crisis responses to support student well-being and academic success across multiple buildings in Lansing, Michigan.

The role requires strong collaboration with families, staff, and community providers, with focus on safety planning and MTSS processes to promote a positive school climate.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering individual and small-group mental health services using CBT and SFBT.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and its impact on student behavior, learning, and emotional development.
• Experience conducting mental health risk assessments, including assessments for suicidal ideation, self-harm, and other crisis situations.
• Ability to develop, implement, and monitor safety plans for students experiencing mental health concerns.
• Experience collaborating with students and families to access community-based mental health services and more intensive levels of treatment when appropriate.
• Strong crisis intervention, de-escalation, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to building positive relationships and fostering a supportive, student-centered environment.
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated willingness to collaborate with school staff, families, and community agencies.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct mental health services to students through individual counseling, group interventions, and short-term therapeutic support.
• Conduct mental health screenings, assessments, and crisis evaluations as needed.
• Respond to student mental health emergencies and coordinate appropriate interventions and follow-up supports.
• Develop and implement student safety plans in collaboration with students, families, and school personnel.
• Consult with teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff regarding student mental health needs and intervention strategies.
• Coordinate referrals to community mental health agencies, healthcare providers, and other support services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, threat assessments, MTSS processes, and student support planning.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records in compliance with professional, district, state, and federal requirements.
• Provide mental health education, prevention programming, and resources to students, staff, and families.
• Support a safe, inclusive, and positive school climate that promotes student well-being and success.

Skills

CBT

SFBT

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Communication

Collaboration

Job description

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

In Pursuit of this mission, we are looking to hire a Mental Health Specialist. The Mental Health Care Specialist provides comprehensive mental health services and supports to students throughout the school day. This position works collaboratively with students, families, school staff, and community providers to address social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs, promote student well-being, and remove barriers to academic success. The Mental Health Care Specialist serves as a key member of the student support team, providing prevention, intervention, crisis response, and referral services.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience providing individual and small-group mental health services utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) approaches
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and the impact of trauma on student behavior, learning, and emotional development
• Experience conducting mental health risk assessments, including assessments for suicidal ideation, self-harm, and other crisis situations
• Ability to develop, implement, and monitor safety plans for students experiencing mental health concerns
• Experience collaborating with students and families to access community-based mental health services and more intensive levels of treatment when appropriate
• Strong crisis intervention, de-escalation, and problem-solving skills
• Commitment to building positive relationships and fostering a supportive, student-centered environment
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated willingness to collaborate with school staff, families, and community agencies

Job Responsibilities

• Provide direct mental health services to students through individual counseling, group interventions, and short-term therapeutic support
• Conduct mental health screenings, assessments, and crisis evaluations as needed
• Respond to student mental health emergencies and coordinate appropriate interventions and follow-up supports
• Develop and implement student safety plans in collaboration with students, families, and school personnel
• Consult with teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff regarding student mental health needs and intervention strategies
• Coordinate referrals to community mental health agencies, healthcare providers, and other support services
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, threat assessments, MTSS processes, and student support planning
• Maintain accurate documentation and records in compliance with professional, district, state, and federal requirements
• Provide mental health education, prevention programming, and resources to students, staff, and families
• Support a safe, inclusive, and positive school climate that promotes student well-being and success

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
• Must be able to move throughout the building and campus, including classrooms, hallways, and outdoor spaces.
• Frequent verbal communication is required to instruct students, lead meetings, and collaborate with staff and families.
• May be required to stand or walk for extended periods, including during supervisory duties.
• Occasional bending, reaching, or sitting on the floor to interact with students.
• Regular use of computers and instructional technology for planning, instruction, and communication.
• Must be able to lift or carry instructional materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.

We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).

Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!