School-Based Mental Health Counselor

Cedar Rapids Community School District; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedar Rapids Community School District seeks a School Counselor/Mental Health Therapist to provide diagnostic assessments, counseling, and crisis intervention for students with behavioral and emotional challenges. You will collaborate with school staff, nurses, and community providers to coordinate care and deliver services on site.

The role requires licensure/licensure eligibility in Iowa and experience with diverse student populations, with a focus on family engagement and culturally

Qualifications

• Endorsement in Counselor 5-12 or Masters degree in mental health counseling from an accredited college or university.
• Maintains licensure to practice in Iowa (LISW or LMHT).
• Minimum of two years experience assessing children's mental health needs and developing/implementing plans, preferably in a school setting.
• Demonstrated cross-sector collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team to coordinate care for individual students.
• Ability to work cooperatively with school staff, community service providers, students, and families to achieve outcomes.
• Applicants who hold or are eligible to obtain a valid School Psychologist license/certificate are encouraged to apply.
• Experience with diverse backgrounds, understanding impact of race and poverty on students and families.
• Valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide diagnostic assessments/evaluations for students with behavior challenges that significantly impact academics.
• Assist personnel to identify variables affecting academic performance (including mental illness, trauma, and Adverse Childhood Experiences) and recommend strategies.
• Coordinate therapy services and referrals with school nurse and community providers to promote continuity of care.
• Assess and de-escalate crisis situations, including suicide and homicidal ideation, ensuring safety with families and school.
• Deliver services on site as needed and provide individual/group counseling.
• Provide parent education and support groups for families as needed.
• Observe classroom dynamics and participate in 1:1 interventions to support classroom success.
• Develop individual behavior plans addressing identified issues with families.
• Promote services within multicultural understanding to enhance family support for learning.
• Consult on attendance, confidentiality, ethnicity, diversity, mental health, substance use, behavior management, crisis intervention, and child abuse/neglect.
• Ensure timely and accurate paperwork while upholding confidentiality and ethics.

Skills

Advocate for students

Establish relationships

Clear communication

Confidentiality

De-escalation techniques

Behavior management

Education

Counselor endorsement 5-12

Masters in mental health counseling

LISW or LMHT license

School Psychologist license/certificate eligible

Job description

Cedar Rapids Community School District seeks a School Counselor/Mental Health Therapist to provide diagnostic assessments, counseling, and crisis intervention for students with behavioral and emotional challenges. You will collaborate with school staff, nurses, and community providers to coordinate care and deliver services on site.

The role requires licensure/licensure eligibility in Iowa and experience with diverse student populations, with a focus on family engagement and culturally