What are the responsibilities and job description for the School-Based Specialist position at Arthur Center Community Health?
School-Based Specialist
Department: School Based Services
Location: Mexico, MO - School-Based and Community Settings
Reports To: Director of School Based Services
Job Type: Full-time
About Us:
At the Arthur Center, we inspire community health and wellness by meeting people where they are and supporting whole-person well-being. Our mission is to empower individuals and families to build healthier, more fulfilling lives so they can invest their time, talents, and resources into truly living.
As a community health center, our impact is driven by the dedication of over 200 staff members who work together to provide compassionate care, evidence-based services, and meaningful support. Every day, our team helps strengthen the communities we serve across Audrain, Callaway, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, and Monroe Counties by providing and improving access to medical, dental, and behavioral health care, fostering resilience, and promoting long-term wellness.
Position Summary:
Arthur Center is looking for a School-Based Specialist who is passionate about supporting youth where they spend most of their days - in school, at home, and in their communities. In this role, you will provide community psychiatric rehabilitation and supportive behavioral health services to youth experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, and functional challenges that interfere with their ability to learn, regulate emotions, and thrive. You will work alongside therapists, families, schools, and community partners to build skills, reinforce treatment goals, and help young people find their footing across every environment that matters. Services are delivered primarily within partnered school districts during the academic year and summer programming, with home and community-based interventions as clinically appropriate. If you are someone who leads with empathy, adapts easily across settings, and is genuinely invested in the growth and stability of the youth you serve, we want to hear from you.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Direct Services and Skill Building
- Provide community psychiatric rehabilitation and supportive behavioral health services to youth and families within school, home, and community settings as clinically appropriate.
- Assist youth in developing coping skills, emotional and behavioral regulation, communication and social skills, problem-solving abilities, daily living skills, and independent functioning skills.
- Support youth in improving school engagement, behavioral functioning, emotional stability, and successful functioning across home, school, and community environments.
- Reinforce treatment goals, therapeutic interventions, and behavioral support strategies identified by the treatment team.
Collaboration and Care Coordination
- Collaborate with youth, families, therapists, schools, healthcare providers, and community supports to coordinate care and promote treatment engagement.
- Participate in treatment planning meetings, school staffings, care coordination meetings, and crisis planning as appropriate.
- Support youth during emotional or behavioral crises and assist with linkage to appropriate services and supports.
- Maintain professionalism, ethical standards, and positive working relationships with youth, families, schools, referral sources, and agency staff.
Documentation and Compliance
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation in compliance with agency, Medicaid, DMH, HIPAA, FERPA, and school partnership requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Skills and Attributes:
- Genuine compassion for youth and families, with a supportive, empathetic, and nonjudgmental approach.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills across diverse populations.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, youth behavioral health, emotional regulation, and evidence-based supportive interventions.
- Ability to work collaboratively with youth, families, schools, healthcare providers, and community partners. Cultural sensitivity and flexibility
- - comfortable adapting your approach across school, home, and community settings.
- Able to work independently, manage multiple responsibilities, and exercise sound professional judgment.
- Knowledge of behavioral health systems, community resources, and child-serving systems preferred.
- Willingness to learn, grow, and engage in ongoing professional development.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Behavioral Science, or a related field required.
- Master's degree in a behavioral health or related field preferred.
- Equivalent experience may be substituted at a rate of one year of experience per year of required education.
- Relevant experience working with youth, families, behavioral health, or community support services preferred.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to sit, stand, walk, and drive to engage youth across school, home, and community settings.
- Must be able to participate in community activities and utilize standard office equipment.
- Must be able to respond appropriately during behavioral or emotional crisis situations.
Top Benefits or Perks:
As an employee at Arthur Center, you'll enjoy:
- Collaborative work environment and meaningful, mission-driven work
- Competitive pay commensurate with experience | Benefits Eligible
- Comprehensive benefits package including:
- Medical (HSA option), Dental, Vision
- Life insurance | 401(k) with up to 6% company match
- 9 paid holidays
- Generous PTO
Apply Today
Ready to make a lasting difference in the lives of youth and families across central Missouri? Apply now to join a team that shows up where it matters - - in schools, in homes, and in the community.