School-based Mental Health Counselor (High School) job in Mercer Island

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is responsible for providing crisis intervention, short-term counseling, information/referral services, parent/school staff consultations, and educational presentations to students on-site at Mercer Island High School (MIHS). School-based mental health counselors work from offices located in the schools and attend weekly team meetings at Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (a department of the City of Mercer Island). The position works closely with the MIYFS school-based Substance Abuse and Prevention Specialist (co-located offices in the “Resource and Referral Place” at MIHS). Students are referred by school personnel, counselors, parents, other students and through student self-referrals. This is a forty (40) hour per week, ten (10) month position to coincide with the school year.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provide individual and group counseling regarding personal, peer, or family problems to high school students.
• Provide information to the school community about community resources and work with students (and their families) to assist them in accessing those resources as needed.
• Provide support groups and advise student clubs focused on health and wellness of students as needed (ex: new/exchange students, stress management, LGBTQ+ youth, etc.)
• Provide classroom and community presentations concerning a variety of topics as indicated (ex: mental health/wellness, depression and suicide, eating disorders).
• Participate in orientation, school assemblies, workshops, clubs, after-school events, etc. as appropriate.
• Meet, coordinate and consult with school staff and administrators as needed (typically not necessary to be part of student 504 or I.E.P. plan).
• Maintain relationships with staff and students at CREST Learning Center (part of Mercer Island High school).
• Attend and participate in school building guidance team and faculty meetings as indicated.
• Work together with school/community/MIYFS teams on prevention efforts (ex: mental health promotion, suicide prevention).
• Complete monthly reports and other required paperwork.
• Attend and participate in Department meetings and consultations.
• Participate in Department-wide projects as assigned (Town Hall events, focus groups, etc.).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position is supervised by the Clinical Supervisor. The high school-based counselor works independently, exercising discretion and judgment in setting priorities. Meetings include weekly individual supervision, (approximately) twice monthly consultation with outside professionals, and weekly staff and clinical team meetings. Receives performance reviews from the Clinical Supervisor.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Clinical Social Work, or related field.
• Employee must be licensed (or certified) in Washington State as a mental health professional (ex: LMHC, LMFT, LICSW).
• Two years of experience in professional mental health counseling with adolescents.
• Knowledge of school systems, adolescent growth/development and child mental health issues.
• Ability to meet with students, develop rapport, provide help, counsel and refer; and communicate effectively in person and on the phone; and participate as a clinical team member (school-based and outpatient clinicians and professionals).
• Flexible schedule to allow for occasional evening and/or weekend activities.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• All MIYFS staff are required to maintain strict confidentiality and professional/ethical standards required by State and Federal statutes and by those standards generally accepted for counseling and social work practice.
• Completion of a criminal history background check is required in order to determine any past conviction history of crimes against persons, sexual assault or exploitation, and sexual or physical abuse.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in school-based counseling with adolescents.
• Experience working with alcohol/other drug issues with adolescents.
• Experience identifying resources for adolescents/families and providing professional referrals.

WORKING CONDITIONS and PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Work is performed in office settings (private office) and in the school building. Counselors are at times required to attend evening and weekend meetings. Some travel to off-site locations may be required. Must be able to perform essential functions of the job. Hand-eye coordination and fine-manipulation skills are necessary to operate computers and various office machinery. This position also requires the occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

TO APPLY: Visit https://apply.govjobstoday.com/ click on City of Mercer Island to apply online for this position. The City of Mercer Island is no longer accepting mailed hard copies, faxed, walk-in, or email submissions.

The City of Mercer Island promotes and supports workplace diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status.

Persons needing assistance in the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at (206)275-7794. ADA accommodations made upon request. All City of Mercer Island employment offers are contingent on the applicant meeting the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act as set forth in EEOC Form 164 (EEO-9). This Act requires the City of Mercer Island to verify the identity of every new employee as well as their legal right to work in the United States. This verification requires you to complete the Government’s Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) and present the required documentation on the first day of employment.

City of Mercer Island; 9611 SE 36th Street; Mercer Island, WA 98040-3732 (206) 275-7600
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (425) 803-1751