MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE TEAM (MHAT) COUNSELOR(S) 2024-25

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

The position of Mental Health Assistance Team Counselor is done for the purpose/s of providing mental health interventions to students and consultation services to students, teachers, staff, and parents.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:

The Bellevue School District is committed to a diverse workforce representative of our students, one that embraces and models cultural competency as an international community.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

• Conduct a screening process for the purposes of identifying students in need of mental health support.
• Provide Responsive Services: Use data from the screenings to offer direct individual or group counseling services to students and to a limited extent, parents.
• Support district-wide crisis responses.
• Provide consulting/coaching services to staff.
• Provide professional development to district staff.
• Stay up to date in Evidence-Based Practices in mental health and coaching/consultation.
• Other duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports directly to and is supervised by the Director of Counseling.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (positions in this class typically require):

Preferred:

• Prior experience working in a school setting as a school counselor, school psychologist, or social worker.
• Ability to instruct in multiple languages preferred.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment preferred.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (positions in this class typically require):

• Possess or qualify for immediate issuance of a valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate in school counseling, school psychology, or school social worker.

KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry):

• Training and/or experience in counseling students.
• Training and/or experience in coaching adults.
• Knowledge of mental health disorders.
• Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.
• Understanding of Evidence-Based Practices.
• Knowledge of social services resources in the community.
• Knowledge of child development theory and its implications for teaching and learning.
• Knowledge of intellectual and emotional needs of students.
• Knowledge of domestic violence, family systems, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual and physical abuse, suicide intervention, trauma, grief/loss, attention deficit disorder, and crisis intervention.

SKILLS (position requirements at entry):

• Data analysis skills.
• Strong oral and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organization skills.
• Ability to quickly build rapport with students and adults.
• Ability to develop and provide presentations to groups.
• Willingness to adhere to manualized intervention protocols.
• Ability to meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; work effectively under pressure and remain flexible.
• Ability to monitor and reflect on own job performance, encourage feedback from school teams and administrators; participate in ongoing training to enhance professional skills; continue professional study and activities; stay current on issues.
• Demonstrates multicultural sensitivity with the ability to work with diverse populations effectively and collaboratively.
• Ability to perform all duties in accordance with all applicable Board policies and district and legal requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, chemicals, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This is a general posting for one or more MHAT Counselor positions. Positions may be full or part-time and will be filled as specific openings are identified.

$ 69,816 to $ 130,960 annual salary (based on the negotiated collective bargaining agreement ). Certificated staff work the school year contract with placement on the District and BEA bargaining agreement salary schedule. Placement on the schedule is determined by training and experience.

Medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life-insurance eligibility is based upon .45 FTE. Retirement provided through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.