Director – Mental Health and Related Services

Days per year: 226

Min: $97820

Mid: $117854

JOB TITLE: Director Mental Health and Related Services

REPORTS TO Executive Director Innovation & Student Support Services

WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt

PAY GRADE: AI 5

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Director of Mental Health and Related Services provides strategic leadership in designing implementing and evaluating a districtwide framework for mental health supports and behavioral intervention. This position serves as the districts lead in advancing trauma-informed practices mental wellness programming crisis response and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for behavior.

The Director collaborates closely with internal departments and external mental health agencies to ensure alignment of supports for students in need including those at risk of academic failure disciplinary action or social-emotional distress. This role supervises behavioral support personnel and community liaisons and serves as a key advisor to district leaders on policy procedures and professional learning related to mental and behavioral health.

All employees are expected to act with integrity support organizational goals communicate clearly and respectfully champion the needs of our students and drive continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Masters degree or higher in Counseling Psychology Social Work or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas School Counselor certification
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in student mental health services counseling or related school-based support
• Experience developing and delivering professional development for staff and families
• Experience working directly with students experiencing significant emotional behavioral or mental health needs

Preferred:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent licensure
• Crisis prevention/intervention certification (e.g. CPI TCI)
• Experience in designing and leading districtwide initiatives

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Expertise in child and adolescent mental health trauma-informed care and behavioral interventions
• Knowledge of state and federal laws related to student services mental health and school safety (e.g. IDEA FERPA TEC HB 18 SB 11)
• Understanding of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Skilled in mental health crisis response and suicide risk assessment
• Knowledge of social-emotional learning (SEL) and prevention frameworks
• Familiarity with community-based mental health and youth-serving agencies
• Strong data analysis and program evaluation skills
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with families schools and community agencies
• Ability to coach supervise and evaluate staff across multiple campuses
• Strong organizational interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage complex projects and adapt to dynamic environments
• Ability to maintain professionalism and emotional control under pressure

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Program Leadership and Oversight

• Lead the development implementation and evaluation of districtwide mental health and behavioral support programs
• Supervise and evaluate district-level staff including Behavior Specialists (RTI/BSP) and Community Youth Services (CYS) personnel
• Ensure coordination of behavioral supports with special education counseling health and discipline services
• Serve as district lead for behavioral crisis response and management
• Ensure alignment of all mental health initiatives with district goals legal mandates and best practices

Crisis Prevention and Response

• Provide 24/7 accessibility as needed for major crisis response and coordination
• Direct and support the District Crisis Response Team (CRT)
• Supervise and advise staff responding to acute mental health concerns (e.g. suicidal ideation trauma violence exposure)
• Develop systems for early identification of students at risk for emotional or behavioral crises

Training and Professional Development

• Plan and deliver professional learning for staff parents and community members on topics including:
• Suicide prevention and postvention
• Trauma-informed classroom practices
• Mental health symptom identification and referral
• Crisis de-escalation and conflict resolution
• Restorative practices
• Drug and violence prevention
• Human trafficking awareness
• Develop training aligned to MTSS for behavior and tiered interventions

Behavioral and Social-Emotional Support Systems

• Lead implementation of districtwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Coordinate behavioral components of RTI/MTSS systems in collaboration with campuses
• Oversee development of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
• Provide consultation to campus teams on difficult behavior cases and interventions

Community and Interagency Collaboration

• Act as liaison with local mental health and social service agencies
• Collaborate with external providers to coordinate school-based or referral-based mental health services
• Represent the district in community coalitions and task forces related to youth mental health and well-being
• Lead and support the work of the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)

Student and Family Engagement

• Oversee programs supporting students at risk of academic failure discipline involvement or social-emotional challenges
• Support mentoring peer mediation and wraparound services in partnership with campuses
• Guide staff in effective family engagement related to behavior and mental health supports

Compliance Reporting and Evaluation

• Ensure all mental health programming complies with applicable local state and federal laws and regulations
• Compile and submit required data reports and documentation to stakeholders
• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of services and professional development
• Support funding applications grant management and program sustainability

Other Duties

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of research and emerging best practices in school mental health
• Participate in strategic planning and cross-departmental initiatives
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Officer of Student Support Services

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervise and evaluate the performance of district-level behavioral support staff and mental health personnel including CYS and RTI Behavior Specialists. Make personnel recommendations lead staff recruitment and development and contribute to department planning and goal-setting.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands / Environmental Factors:

The position requires regular travel within the district and occasional travel to regional or statewide events. Duties involve physical mobility prolonged sitting and standing use of a computer and occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Work may occur in schools offices or off-site community locations.

Mental Demands:

This role requires strong analytical and decision-making capabilities emotional resilience and the ability to respond effectively in high-stress or emergency situations. Must be able to manage multiple projects interpret data and policy and communicate with clarity and empathy to diverse audiences. The ability to support others during crisis events and maintain confidentiality and professionalism is critical.

Required Experience:

Director