Mental Health Therapist SPED (6000 Hiring Bonus)

Description

We are currently offering a $6000 hiring bonus for all new Special Education Mental Health Therapists!

About Aspire:
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998in an effort to transform the inequitable racial social and gender outcomes that our communities persist throughAspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college career and life. At Aspire we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge skills and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day our community of students families teachers and staff comes together to learn work and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being) Culture of Belonging Community Partnership Agency & Self-Determination and Joy.

GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Mental Health Therapist (SPED) provides a full range of school counseling behavioral and social- emotional services to Special Education children in grades K-12 including screening and assessment individual and group counseling and work with/refer to outside agencies as appropriate. S/he is an integral member of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Team helping to plan implement and monitor student programs across school sites. They influence the development of a safe successful learning environment and positive school culture by partnering with teachers administrators school staff and members of the Regional and Home Office.

Mental Health Therapist 1 (SPED):Aspire Public Schools prioritizes the professional development and clinical hour collection of Mental Health Therapists 1 as they work towards becoming licensed therapists.

Mental Health Therapist 2 (SPED):Aspire Public Schools prioritizes the professional development and leadership capacity building of Mental Health Therapists 2 as they work towards becoming clinical supervisors for colleagues within the organization.

Mental Health Therapist 3 (SPED):Aspire Public Schools prioritizes the professional development and leadership capacity building of Mental Health Therapists 3 as they are the essential facilitators of clinical supervision for colleagues within the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate knowledge of and support of Aspire Public Schools mission vision equity commitments value statements standards policies and procedures operating instructions confidentiality standards and the code of ethical behavior.
• Consistently and routinely update case files for students on their caseload complying with all Aspire BBS state and federal guidelines and mandates around documentation practice and maintenance of clinical registration including honoring mandated reporting duties.
• Create positive appropriate and consistent communication with Aspire staff and administration about student clinical goals and progress.
• Provide crisis counseling and referrals for students as needed including honing their risk assessment methodology.
• Work collaboratively with general education counselors and staff in order to implement MTSS systems therapeutic interventions goals and data tracking for all students for the purposes of fostering better mental health and positive learning environments.
• Explore and sharpen therapeutic preventions and interventions at all intervention tiers for the purposes of fostering better mental health and positive learning environments for all students at Aspire.
• Collaborate with school staff on universal interventions for students such as peer mediation conflict mediation Restorative Practices socio-emotional learning (SEL) and trauma-informed interventions etc.
• Work collaboratively with families to plan for student programming including but not limited to parent and staff education.
• Demonstrate the ability to assist with IEP Programming specifically for students at Aspire that require mental health/social-emotional supports including:
• Assist in the development of IEP goals related to Mental Health/Social-Emotional needs
• Regularly progress monitor IEP goals through use of an online IEP system
• Regular attendance at IEP meetings for the purpose of reporting student progress
• Work collaboratively with the IEP team to help conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments and write implement and progress monitor Behavior Intervention Plans in accordance with the IDEA.
• Provide support to teachers (Ed Specialists and GE teachers) through: modeling observing coaching and planning.
• Provide support to students receiving Educationally Related Mental Health services that require behavioral support per Individual Education Plans.
• Knowledge of child guidance principles and practices especially as they relate to students with learning disabilities development delays and autistic-like behaviors
• Ability to support IEP teams with the implementation of systems to track student behavioral data and monitor progress towards goals.
• Ability to handle emotionally charged situations through use of problem-solving and mediation techniques.
• Work collaboratively with the school psychologist and other IEP team members to assist with Educationally Related Mental Health Services Assessments.
• Mental Health Counselor 2 & 3 (SPED):
  • Supervise counseling trainees/interns.
  • Participate in the creation and facilitation of the regional clinical professional development program for Mental Health Therapists 1.
• Mental Health Counselor 3 (SPED):
  • Facilitate the individual triadic and/or group clinical supervision for associates seeking licensure in the state of California.
  • Provide ongoing crisis consultation for associates who they clinically supervise and for site teammates.
  • Schedule organize and communicate regularly with Associate MHCs Program Specialists outside clinical supervisors and Regional/Home Office leadership regarding clinical supervision systems

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required knowledge skills & abilities:

• Demonstrated commitment to students and learning.
• Experience with students grades TK-12.
• Excellent communication presentation and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to write clearly and interact effectively with different stakeholders.
• Excellent organization time management and follow-up skills; ability to rank and carry out a variety of urgent priorities; demonstrated ability to successfully handle multiple cases concurrently.
• Ability to work as a part of a team.
• Possess knowledge of a variety of forms of intervention and prevention models for both individuals and group therapeutic settings (ex: CBT Play therapy etc.)
• Demonstrate ability to adjust to and use new approaches in the performance of their duties.
• Deal with obstacles and constraints positively and with a solutions-oriented mindset.

Minimum educational level:

• Bachelors Degree required
• Masters Degree in Counseling Social Work School Psychology or related discipline
  
• Mental Health Therapist 1 (SPED):Registered Associate with BBS (AMFT ASW and/or APCC)
• Mental Health Therapist 2 (SPED):Clinical Licensure through the BBS required
• Mental Health Therapist 3 (SPED):Clinical Licensure through the BBS for 2 years and certification to provide clinical supervision required

Highly desirable qualifications:

• PPS credential
• Bilingual - Spanish
• Supervise BBS registered Associate Intern SPED (Mental Health Therapist 3 Only)

Compensation:
Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammates well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools we offer employees exceptional benefits including paid time off 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans life insurance/long-term disability participation in a CA state retirement plan tuition reimbursement plan and adoption assistance program. Our salary schedule based on years of experience for this position type is reflected here:

Aspire Public Schools Mental Health Therapist I Salary Scale
Aspire Public Schools Mental Health Therapist II Salary Scale
Aspire Public Schools Mental Health Therapist III Salary Scale


Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race color gender religion age sexual orientation national or ethnic origin disability marital status veteran status or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities women disabled persons and veterans.

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