DIRECTOR, MENTAL HEALTH & STUDENT WELLBEING

Denver Public Schools • Denver, CO

23h • $116,458 - $142,639

About The Position

The Director of Mental Health & Student Wellbeing provides leadership and strategic oversight for districtwide mental health, behavioral health, and student well being systems serving students across Denver Public Schools. Leads the design, alignment, and implementation of a comprehensive, tiered approach to behavioral health and school culture systems that integrates prevention, early intervention, and intensive services as well as postvention regarding safety crises to ensure safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments that enable all students to thrive academically and socially.

The Director must demonstrate a willingness to sign a confidentiality agreement. This role requires maintaining the highest level of confidentiality regarding all District matters, especially those involving the Superintendent, Chief of Staff, and the Board of Education. Ensuring trust and discretion is paramount to the success and integrity of this position.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in School Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Social Work or related field is required
• Five years of experience in clinical mental health or related, to include three years of experience in a leadership role is required
• 3+ of management level experience is required
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations
• Experience in analyzing data, and using this data to for process and program improvements and to inform strategy
• Outstanding facilitation and communication skills, including ability to inspire others
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to lead a high-performing team
• Superior leadership, coaching and mentoring skills
• Strong inter-personal skills and ability to work with individuals at all different levels in the organization
• Self-starter/leader who can anticipate department needs in a proactive (versus, reactive) manner
• Strategic planning and organizational development knowledge and skills
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals, establish priorities, and organize resources
• Ability to motivate and influence others
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
• Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Responsibilities

• Leads support teams to effectively implement district wide mental health programs, school culture guidance and support, targeted social emotional learning, and trauma informed responses, including substance use prevention, diversion, therapeutic services, behavioral interventions, truancy and delinquency
• Leads cross functional teams in implementing districtwide mental health and student well being strategies, including school culture supports, targeted social emotional learning, trauma informed practices, substance use prevention, de-escalation, behavioral interventions, therapeutic services, and interventions addressing truancy and delinquency. Functions include student safety, school mental health work, Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior supports, Universal Mental Health and Substance Prevention, and Assessment teams
• Develops district policies and procedures for identification, intervention, and support for students with socio-emotional or mental health concerns
• Oversees the professional development training and support provided to school psychologists and social workers
• Models and leads for high levels of client service to schools, recognizing the District's primary role is serving schools in effectively serving students. Mediates programming difficulties and disputes
• Manages department budgets and grant funding and ensures equitable allocation of staffing and resources across schools and programs
• Collects and analyzes data to measure the effectiveness of mental health services and programs, provides reports to leadership and uses data to make recommendations and program changes
• Ensures that the related District education procedures are in compliance with federal and state mandates and supports the implementation of said procedures, including compliance with mandates concerning the provision of services and educational opportunities for students with disabilities
• Represents the District in the provisioning of functional services, including city, metro, state, and national committees, and develops effective working relationships with community agencies and mental health resources
• Collaborates with and seeks funding from public entities, private foundations, appropriate professional organizations and other resources to increase opportunities for students, and provide professional growth opportunities for staff
• Co-chair the Force Review Board (FRB) with the Office of Legal Counsel and the Department of Climate and Safety
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• Salary Range: $116,458 - $142,639 Annually.
• In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.
• This position is represented by the ADMN employee association (bargaining unit).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees