Job Overview

An employee in this position provides substance abuse and mental health education, assessment, prevention and early intervention services through groups and individual sessions, facilitates the 3-day early intervention drug and alcohol Insight class under the LCPS comprehensive Student Assistance Program. As a member of the Unified Mental Health Team, Student Assistance Specialists advance LCPS initiatives of Substance Use Prevention, Social Emotional Learning and Suicide Prevention through education, support, intervention, staff development and consultation. The programs and services involve all grade levels and will include maintaining working relationships with parents, staff, administration, and other community agencies.

Roles and Responsibilities

The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; work may differ and other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate.

• Conducts substance abuse assessments for at-risk students and makes referrals for appropriate school and community-based services; provides crisis intervention services as needed and facilitate school-based substance abuse prevention groups at the secondary level.
• Facilitates school-based prevention and intervention groups and individual support at the secondary level
• Utilizes evidence-based curriculum in the areas of gang/violence prevention, mental health, healthy relationships and substance use prevention. Assist with program development and evaluation
• Co-facilitates a three-day substance abuse awareness intervention class for students who violate the school alcohol and drug policy.
• Facilitates meetings for parents of LCPS students referred to the Insight Class; accompanies assigned students to the Juvenile Detention Center for facility tour; conducts appropriate follow-up services for students involved in Insight Class.
• Teaches research-based curriculum in the areas of bullying and violence prevention, healthy relationships and substance abuse prevention. 
• Plans and implement prevention activities for students, upon request; provides case management, educational and consultative services within each assigned school pertaining to substance abuse-related issues as a member of the Unified Mental Health Team. 
• Provides training, facilitation and consultation for the PEER Helper program and the In-School Restriction Tobacco Education Program in assigned schools; assists with program development and evaluation; develops and maintain working relationships with parents, faculty, and administration and community agencies. Provides support for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Conducts substance abuse and prevention awareness presentations within classroom and community settings; may serve on community committees addressing substance abuse, bullying and domestic violence prevention.
• Assists with Depression Awareness and Suicide Prevention presentations/education.
• Provides professional development to LCPS focused on a variety of mental health and substance use topics. 
• Provides leadership with training, facilitation, and implementation for Restorative Practices and Sources of Strength.
• Assists with tiered implementation of Restorative Practices to enhance social emotional learning.
• Assists in providing Restorative Practices Conferences and Circles.

Qualifications 

Below are the minimum qualifications for this job. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or Counseling (MA) from an accredited college or university, Virginia license preferred (LPC, LCSW, CSAC)

Experience

Five years of experience working in the substance abuse/mental health counseling and prevention field

Licenses and Certifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possesses leadership qualities and professional characteristics necessary to work effectively with students, school personnel, parents and members of the community
• Experience with adolescent, family and group counseling is required
• Knowledge and experience in Restorative Practices and Sources and Strength preferred
• Demonstrated skills in oral and written communication and time management

Physical Requirements

The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this job:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly talking, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Reports to: Supervisor, Student Assistance Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months/Days/Hours: 11 months/ 208 days/8 hours

Salary Level: Auxiliary Level 3

Salary Scale: https://www.lcps.org/compensation

Salary Range: $69,290 - $129,379