Basic Function:

The Wellness Counselor provides educational related mental health services (EHRMS) to students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and general education students who are identified as needing mental health support to increase academic success.

Essential Duties: 

• Conduct educationally related mental services assessments 
• Provide educational related mental health services (ERHMS) to students pursuant to IEPs
• Provide personal mental health counseling, group mental health counseling, and/or therapeutic interventions to students 
• Monitor progress towards mental health and IEP goals 
• Collect and analyze student data results consistently to monitor progress and modify support and intervention strategies as needed to increase academic success 
• Maintain student progress data with accuracy and integrity
• Support general education students as assigned
• Establish and maintain partnerships with outside service providers
• Coordinate family, school, and community resources to support students
• Participate in IEP meetings as assigned
• Participate in Coordination of Services (CoS) Team meetings
• Participate in network (district) professional development 
• Serve on school leadership teams and committees as assigned 
• Develop positive relationships with school community that are aligned with LPS’ culture and values

Other Duties

• Perform related duties as assigned 

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Any combination equivalent to: 

• a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited university in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling 
• at least one year of successful counseling experience in an urban school setting 

Licensing and Other Requirements 

• Valid clinical license (ACSW/LCSW, APCC/PCC, or AMFT/LMFT)
• Valid CA Pupil Personnel Services Credential preferred
• Employment eligibility that may include fingerprints, tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish highly desired

Knowledge of:

• Behavioral support plans
• IEP process and law 
• Effective counseling and guidance strategies
• Effective therapeutic interventions 
• Service referral process
• Crisis prevention and intervention
• Community resources 
• Culturally-responsive pedagogy 
• Adult learning principles and change management theory
• Effective professional development practices, including data-based inquiry

Skills and Ability to:

• Manage a caseload of students with a variety of behavioral and social-emotional needs
• Support, monitor, and evaluate progress towards goals
• Compile and analyze data to develop action plans based on high standards and including measurable objectives 
• Implement collaborative and team building processes
• Facilitate dissent and conduct difficult and constructive conversations
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Work effectively across diverse communities
• Maintain confidentiality
• Travel to conduct business
• Work a flexible schedule as directed

Working Conditions:

Environment

• Instructional environment which includes indoor and outdoor activities
• Potential interaction with dissatisfied and/or difficult individuals

Physical Demands

• Mental acuity
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard
• Hearing and speaking to communicate 
• Seeing to observe and read materials
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time