High School Mental Health Counselor, LPC or LCSW required (Part time)

EQA Schools•New Orleans, LA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Educators for Quality Alternatives (EQA) seeks a skilled counselor to provide individual and group counseling to high school students and lead the school’s trauma-informed approach. EQA serves students who have struggled in traditional school settings, including students affected by behavioral challenges, PTSD, and C-PTSD. The counselor joins a multidisciplinary team and works within a school culture based on restorative approaches, supporting students with significant needs and trauma. The role includes assessing student needs, connecting students and families with resources, designing and providing counseling and interventions, managing crisis prevention and response, training and consulting with staff, coordinating community wraparound services, supporting dropout intervention, and contributing to school-based student support decisions. The counselor manages student cases and records, evaluates progress, collaborates with families and community providers, and participates in professional development and ongoing school improvement. This is a part-time position scheduled Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The listed location is 1614 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. The start date is January 2027, and salary is commensurate with experience. The position reports to the Principal.

Requirements

LCSW or LPC licensure is required; Louisiana certification or licensure must be in good standing.
5–10+ years of experience effectively counseling adolescents with mental health, behavioral health, and trauma issues.
Experience with restorative approaches, SAMHSA’s Six Principles of Trauma-Informed Approaches, and effective, culturally responsive interventions for adolescents with C-PTSD.
Passion for improving educational opportunities for urban students and working as part of a strong, mission-driven team.
Commitment to EQA’s mission, vision, and growth.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and build effective partnerships.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Careful, detail-oriented data, file, and information management.
Flexible, learning-oriented mindset focused on effective and innovative problem-solving.
Commitment to ongoing professional growth and servant leadership.
Must be authorized to work in the United States; EQA does not sponsor employment visas.
Must meet Louisiana public-school eligibility requirements, including applicable background checks.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in schools.

Responsibilities

Assess student needs, including completing psycho-social assessments for every student each semester and conducting Functional Behavior Assessments.
Select assessment approaches informed by the effects of race, gender, and social injustice on youth and families; use DSM-V and current research to assess student needs.
Maintain assessment records and share information appropriately with students, families, and staff while observing confidentiality requirements.
Research and vet community resources, build provider partnerships, coordinate referrals and supports, track referral outcomes, and advocate for students and families.
Design interventions for students, parents, and staff, including support for students with IEPs, 504 plans, and BIPs.
Serve on the School Based Level Committee (SBLC) to review student needs and make decisions about interventions, placements, and supports.
Manage short- and long-term cases, develop treatment plans, and monitor student progress.
Provide individual counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy or other best practices, and design and provide group counseling on needs such as grief, trauma, substance abuse, conflict resolution, and anger management.
Engage families through communication, home visits, mediation, and other involvement in students’ growth and development.
Design crisis plans with students, families, and staff, and train students and staff to respond safely, restoratively, and appropriately to crises.
Design and provide staff training on trauma-informed care, mental health, best practices, and secondary trauma.
Consult with staff and school leaders on attendance, confidentiality, diversity, mental health, behavior management, discipline, crisis intervention, and child abuse and neglect.
Design evaluation systems; collect, communicate, and analyze student records and data to support evidence-based decisions and student progress.
Follow the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and Standards for School Social Work practice, and maintain communication and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, FERPA, state law, and school policy.
Set student-development and professional-growth goals, reflect on practice, seek and use feedback, contribute to the school community, and participate in professional development.
Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the school’s curriculum, culture, and program.