School-Based Lead Clinician – Substance Use Program (LCSW/LPC/LMFT)

Effective School Solutions; Irvington (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No weekends or on-call

Light summers

Small caseloads

Ongoing supervision & CEUs

Competitive salary & benefits

Job summary

Effective School Solutions seeks a School-Based Lead Clinician for its Substance Use Program in Irvington, NJ. The role focuses on delivering comprehensive school-based mental health services to high school students, coordinating with families and school staff, and guiding clinical operations within the ESS program.

The position requires an active clinical license (LCSW/LPC/LMFT), a Master’s degree in a related field, and 3+ years of experience with youth in school settings.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field.
• Active clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT) in the state where services are provided.
• 3+ years of experience working with children and/or adolescents with behavioral and emotional needs.
• Experience working with schools, families, and community-based services (school-based experience preferred).
• Proficient in clinical documentation and use of electronic systems (e.g., EMR, Microsoft Office).

Responsibilities

• Provide school-based mental health services, including individual, group, and family therapy, as well as intake and diagnostic assessments.
• Partner with families and facilitate parent support programming.
• Conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention, coordinating referrals to appropriate levels of care.
• Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans.
• Oversee day-to-day clinical operations of the program.
• Serve as primary clinical contact for school partners and collaborate with staff.
• Provide consultation, coaching, and training on mental health and trauma-informed practices.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and professional development.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Clinical judgment

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field

Tools

EMR

Microsoft Office

Job description

School-Based Lead Clinician – Substance Use Program (LCSW/LPC/LMFT)

Irvington, NJ

LEAD CLINICIAN

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.

Why This Role Matters

You’ll provide critical mental health support to High School 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.

Starting salary range: $65,000-$75,000

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 andfacilitateparent support programming
• Conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention, ensuring student safety and coordinating referrals toappropriate levelsof 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 the school partners
• 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

• Maintaintimely,accurateclinical documentationin accordance withregulatory, ethical, and organizational standards
• Uphold professional standards bymaintainingactive 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 clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT) in the state where services are provided
• 3+ years of experience working with children and/or adolescents with behavioral and emotional needs
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound clinical judgment, and effectively problem-solve in a fast-paced environment
• Experience working with schools, families, and community-based services (school-based experience preferred)
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Proficient in clinical documentation and use of electronic systems (e.g., EMR, Microsoft Office), with the ability tomaintainaccurateandtimelyrecords

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 weekswith full-time pay
• Small caseloads
• Ongoing supervision, clinical support, and free CEUs
• Competitive salary + comprehensive benefits
• Clinical leadership at the heart of our company

Make a meaningful impact o n student mental health.
Join Effective School Solutions

Equal Opportunity Employer
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