Mental Health Specialist

• This position will close at 5:00 pm on Monday May 19
• Locaton: Neil Armstrong Middle School and Community Alternative Learning Center (CALC)
• This position will support students grades 712 and their families
• FTE: 1.0
• Start date: August 2025
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

FOREST GROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT

LICENSED JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Department: STUDENT SERVICES

POSITION SUMMARY

The Mental Health Specialist will ensure the provision of mental health services to children and families for students receiving special education services; determine eligibility for services; assist special education personnel in procuring needed treatment or other support services and monitor client progress; deliver appropriate mental health services; maintain applicable caseload records and prepare reports. The Mental Health Specialist reports to the Director of Student Services or designated administrator and does not supervise any employees.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and provide mental health services for special education students
• Conduct mental health assessments as required
• Develop individual mental health treatment plans for students and maintain progress notes
• Provide appropriate family services and consultation
• Facilitate daily skills groups based on evidence based practices and contribute to the development of the yearly scope and sequence for groups
• Assess the need for training of staff on specific mental health or program model issues plan and provide training as needed
• Work cooperatively with the school team to assist in developing and implementing IEPs mental health support behavioral support plans and Plan B (CPS) solutions to help the students acquire the skills they need in order to be successful in the school setting
• Participate in staff meetings intake meetings student staffings eligibility meetings treatment reviews and IEP meetings as necessary
• Participate in ongoing program development and evaluation
• Maintain contact with community mental health providers/case workers
• Document incident reports child abuse reports and suicidal ideation
• Model confidentiality requirements
• Provide crisis intervention and connection to the county crisis intervention service provider

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain consistent and predictable attendance to meet the requirements of the position
• Confer regularly with immediate supervisor
• Follow all District policies work procedures and reasonable requests by proper authority
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience Required

• Masters degree in counseling marriage and family therapy social work or psychology

Skills

• Maintain integrity of confidential information relating to students staff or district patrons
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals having mental health needs their families service providers and school personnel; the ability to evaluate mental health needs and to develop individual treatment plans
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to speak effectively to large and small groups
• Excellent human relations skills with the ability to establish good relationships with diverse individuals and groups
• Proficient in the use of a computer and other Internet based applications including but not limited to email and systems applications

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with mental health disorders models of behaviorism community mental health services and caseload management.
• Knowledge of psychological and personality testing and their application to the diagnosis and treatment of children and families;
• Knowledge of Federal and State regulations especially educational laws applying to disabled children and child abuse laws; and knowledge of State and Federal regulations relating to mandated services for disabled students and the health and welfare of children and adolescents.

Abilities

• Ability to identify precipitating events; gather histories of mental and physical disabilities alcohol and drug use past mental health services and criminal justice contacts;
• Ability to assess family systemic social and work relationships.
• Ability to conduct a mental status assessment.
• Ability to provide individual family and group therapy.
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals having mental health needs their families service providers and school personnel; the ability to evaluate mental health needs and to develop individual treatment plans
• Ability to work as a team member communicate effectively both orally and in writing to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals from diverse groups and backgrounds
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records
• Ability to effectively engage family members have knowledge of principles and practices of child and adolescent development behavior systemic therapy psychopathology and consultation
• Ability to assess diagnose and develop treatment plans for children adolescents and their families; ability to consult with a variety of disciplines to support quality educational and treatment planning for children adolescents and their families; and the ability to provide effective advocacy services in partnership with families within the mental health and educational systems
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior speech and dress in a neat clean and appropriate professional manner for the assignment and work setting

Licenses Certifications Bonding and/or Testing Required

• Licensed or pursuing professional licensure through the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists Oregon Board of Psychologists or Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

In a 6.58 hour work day this job requires:

R Rarely (Less than .5 hr per day) OOccasionally (.52.5 hrs per day)

FFrequently (2.55.5 hrs per day) CContinually (5.58 hrs per day)

NANot applicable

Physical Requirements

NA

R

O

F

C

Sitting

X

Stationary

X

Walking (surface level)

X

Walking (uneven surface)

X

Crawling

X

Crouching

X

Stooping (bend at knees)

X

Twisting (knees/waist/neck)

X

Turn/pivot

X

Climbing (stairs)

X

Climbing (ladder)

X

Reaching overhead

X

Reaching extension

X

Repetitive use arms

X

Repetitive use wrists

X

Repetitive use hands grasping

X

Repetitive use hands squeezing

X

Fine manipulation

X

Using foot control

X

Pushing/Pulling: Max weight 40lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying: Max weight 40lbs

X

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position the employee may be required to physically interact with students who are aggressive emotional and/or unpredictable in their reactions. The employee may be exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but occasionally may be very loud. The work environment may be fast paced and emotionally demanding.

The Forest Grove School District is an equal opportunity employer and provides services to the public on an equal opportunity basis and does not discriminate in employment or the provision of public services on the basis of race color religion sex sexual orientation gender expression gender identity national origin age disability political affiliation or belief citizenship or marital status.

Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the Director of Human Resources at the Forest Grove School District.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority