PER DIEM - School-Based Therapist Salinas, CA

Effective Schools Solutions, LLC; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

No weekends or on-call requirements

Ongoing supervision and clinical support

Competitive salary

Job summary

Effective Schools Solutions, LLC is seeking per diem clinicians to provide critical mental health support to K–12 students in Salinas, CA. Clinicians will offer school-based services including individual and group therapy while collaborating with families and school staff. This role offers flexibility with scheduling based on clinician availability while ensuring comprehensive treatment plans are developed. Strong qualifications include a Master’s degree, active California clinical license, and experience with children and families. This position does not follow a full-time schedule and is not eligible for benefits.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience providing mental health support for children and adolescents.
• Active clinical license in California is required.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with families and educational professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive school-based mental health services.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation.

Skills

Experience with children and adolescents

Building trusting relationships

Clinical documentation proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling

Tools

Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Effective School Solutions

Effective School Solutions (ESS) is a leading provider of school‑based mental health services, serving 6,000+ K–12 students across 12 states.

We deliver the level of clinical care typically found in private practice, out‑of‑district placements, or higher levels of care directly within public schools—providing a full continuum of clinical programming, professional development, and district consultation.

This is a per diem position and is not eligible for benefits. Per diem clinicians support ESS on an as‑needed basis, including coverage for leave assignments (e.g., medical or maternity leave).

Clinicians in this role have flexibility in their level of commitment. They may choose to pick up occasional shifts, work a few days per week on an ongoing basis, or take on a temporary full‑time schedule when covering a longer‑term leave assignment. Per diem clinicians can accept or decline assignments based on their availability.

This role does not follow a consistent full‑time schedule; however, full‑time hours may be required on a temporary basis when covering extended leave assignments.

Why This Role Matters

You’ll provide critical mental health support to students who may not otherwise have access to care—helping them succeed academically, build resilience, and thrive.

At ESS, clinicians are trusted partners in shaping supportive school environments.

Responsibilities

Direct Clinical Care & Family Support

• Provide comprehensive, school‑based mental health services, including individual, group, and family therapy, as well as intake, diagnostic, and clinical assessments
• Partner with families and facilitate parent support programming
• Conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention, ensuring student safety and coordinating referrals to appropriate levels of care when needed
• Develop and implement individualized, evidence‑based treatment plans that support students’ emotional, behavioral, and academic success
• Oversee the day‑to‑day clinical operations of the assigned school‑based program
• Serve as the primary clinical point of contact for school partners, providing expert guidance, ensuring alignment on student support strategies, and fostering strong, collaborative relationships
• Facilitate weekly consultation sessions to ensure alignment on student goals and documentation standards
• Collaborate with families, school staff, and interdisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated care, and provide consultation, coaching, and training on mental health and trauma‑informed practices
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing professional development

Documentation, Compliance & Professional Expectations

• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory, ethical, and organizational standards
• Uphold professional standards by maintaining active licensure, ethical practice, reliability, and a strong professional presence
• Monitor program performance and ensure alignment with ESS clinical and operational standards

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related field
• Active associate number or clinical license (e.g., AMFT, APCC, ACSW, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW) in the state of California
• 2+ years of experience working with children and/or adolescents with behavioral and emotional needs
• Experience providing training and coaching to educational professionals and parents/caregivers on student mental health issues
• Experience working with schools, families, and community‑based services
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with students, families, and school staff
• Commitment to delivering high‑quality, evidence‑based care and advocating for best practices
• Proven ability to positively influence, motivate, and elevate team members and stakeholders
• Ability to make confident, sound decisions in ambiguous or evolving situationsProficient in clinical documentation and use of electronic systems (e.g., EMR, Microsoft Office), with the ability to maintain accurate and timely records

Why Clinicians Choose ESS

• School-day schedule—No weekends or on‑call requirements; occasional evening hours as needed to support family engagement
• Light summers—10 hours/week for 5 weeks with full‑time pay
• Small caseloads
• Ongoing supervision, clinical support, and free CEUs
• Competitive salary + comprehensive benefits
• Clinical leadership at the heart of our company

Equal Opportunity Employer

ESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.