Manager of Mental Health

KIPP St. Louis Public Schools•St. Louis, MO

3d•$65,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Manager of Mental Health Position Overview The Manager of Mental Health will manage, observe and consult with social workers and counselors at all of our schools. They will provide clinical consultation, manage the counseling programs at their sites, and evaluate effectiveness of programs for students with mental health needs. The Manager of Mental Health will participate in staff development, program development, and innovation of special methods and approaches in the implementation of Social Emotional Learning practices. They will collaborate with school administrators and general education staff to effectively employ the special education and social and emotional learning programs and provide compliance expertise at assigned sites. The Manager of Mental Health will report to the Director of Student Services. This position is a 12 month Regional School-based position. Who we are: KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis city. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission and vision. Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. KIPP St. Louis currently educates over 2,000 students and boasts hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. What makes KIPP St. Louis unique? We believe that our educators are proving what's possible in urban education each and every day, by inspiring students, and helping them discover the joy of learning. KIPP schools support our educators to help students achieve academic excellence, building the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Together, we are raising the bar for every student, every day.

Requirements

Master’s of Social Work (MSW) or counseling degree (required)
Required credentials: LCSW, LPC, or Certified School Counselor
Experience: 5+ years providing social work or counseling in a school setting
Strong understanding of student mental health and behavioral support practices
Commitment to improving outcomes for historically underserved students
years of experience providing individual and group counseling to children or adolescents
Experience working within or alongside Special Education systems, including delivering IEP-aligned counseling services and monitoring progress toward goals
Ability to collaborate effectively with Special Education case managers and multidisciplinary teams
Ability to maintain accurate service logs and meet all compliance and documentation requirements
Ability to manage a caseload and consistently deliver required service minutes
Understanding of confidentiality, ethical practice (FERPA/HIPAA), and trauma-informed care
Knowledge of and ability to fulfill responsibilities aligned to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Familiarity with IDEA requirements and school-based compliance systems

Nice To Haves

Experience in a K–12 school-based setting supporting students with emotional and behavioral needs
Experience collaborating with school leaders, families, and cross-functional teams
Knowledge of MTSS frameworks aligned to Special Education
Experience in urban or high-needs school environments

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Staff Development Supervise, coach, and develop school-based Mental Health Professionals and other assigned mental health staff.
Conduct regular one-on-ones, observations, feedback cycles, professional development, and performance conversations to strengthen staff practice.
Build team capacity in evidence-based interventions, documentation, crisis response, family partnership, and school-based collaboration.
Support role clarity, caseload management, and prioritization so that staff time is aligned to student needs and compliance expectations.
Mental Health Systems Implementation Lead the implementation of high-quality mental health systems across assigned schools, ensuring alignment with regional expectations for student support, SEL, MTSS/behavior, and access to learning.
Support schools in building coherent systems for Tier 3 intervention, crisis response, re-entry planning, and coordinated student support.
Strengthen school-based CARE/MTSS structures so that students with intensive behavioral and social-emotional needs receive timely, coordinated support.
Partner with school leaders to identify barriers, solve implementation challenges, and improve consistency across campuses.
Clinical Quality & Compliance Monitor the fidelity and quality of IEP counseling services, behavior intervention supports, progress monitoring, risk assessments, and related documentation.
Provide consultation on complex student cases, including students with significant behavioral, emotional, or mental health needs.
Support compliance related to special education counseling services, Section 504 accommodations, crisis documentation, and other required student support records.
Provide counseling sessions at each school (this is dependent on scholar needs per IEP/504 Plans)
Review service delivery trends, documentation quality, and case practices to ensure strong execution and reduce compliance risk.
Serve as the McKinney Vento liaison for KIPP St Louis.
Crisis Response & Student Safety Support school teams and mental health staff in responding to acute mental health needs, student crises, and safety concerns.
Provide coaching and oversight around risk assessment, de-escalation, crisis planning, postvention, and re-entry supports.
Ensure schools have clear, consistent responses for high-risk student situations and that follow-up actions are completed with quality and urgency.
Professional Learning & Cross-Functional Partnership Design and facilitate professional development for mental health staff and, when needed, school-based staff on topics related to student mental health, trauma-informed practice, crisis prevention, and intervention systems.
Partner with Special Education, school leadership, and other student support leaders to ensure mental health services are integrated with school operations and student support plans.
Maintain productive relationships with families and external agencies to improve access to services and coordinated care for students.
Direct Student Support When needed, provide limited direct clinical support or case coverage in order to maintain continuity of services, address urgent student needs, and support school-based execution.

Benefits

$0 deductible healthcare plan option, including medical, vision and dental.
Employer Paid Short Term Disability.
$50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee.
Retirement plan through PSSRSSL with an employer match up to 14% and an optional 403b as a supplement to our pension program
Employee Recognition: When we succeed together, we celebrate together with our annual gala award ceremony, holiday party, and more!
Public Service student loan forgiveness program qualified employer.
Ongoing professional development.
Generous time off: Paid leave for illness, personal days, bereavement, jury duty, and military-related leave
Paid parental leave for new families
Paid holidays, as well as a one week Thanksgiving break, a two-week winter break, a week-long spring break
Wellness days provided throughout the year