SY26-27 Mental Health Counselor

Fugees Family • Atlanta, GA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School (GFACS) is seeking a Mental Health Counselor for grades 6-12 who is deeply committed to the Fugees Family, Inc. mission and willing to exceed expectations to support students, families, and staff. This is a 10-month, exempt position reporting to the School Leader. While the program starts at the middle school level, the instructional scope begins with Kindergarten-level material, as many Fugees Academy students enter middle school performing significantly below grade level.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a closely related field.
• Eligibility for state licensures or certification as required by the position and jurisdiction.
• Knowledge of counseling theories, mental health assessment, treatment planning, and ethical standards.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Excellent command of the English language with a passion for supporting expressive language in non-native speakers.
• A strong sense of loving accountability and individual and collective responsibility.
• Believe that all students are capable of academic achievement.
• Commit to building deep, authentic relationships with students and families.
• Duties and expectations are carried out in a positive, productive, accurate, and punctual/on-time manner.
• Be receptive to coaching, mentoring, feedback, and performance evaluations for purposes of professional growth and development.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to listen attentively for extended periods.
• Ability to read, review, and prepare clinical documents.
• Ability to maintain focus during counseling sessions and administrative tasks.
• Ability to detect verbal and behavioral cues that may indicate client distress or risk.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing counseling, case management, crisis response, or behavioral health services.
• Current professional license or associate license, such as LPC, LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, or equivalent, depending on state requirements.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Training in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, or related evidence-based practices.
• Experience using electronic health records or case documentation systems.
• Bilingual or multilingual ability, depending on client population needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual, group, family, or crisis counseling services.
• Assess clients’ mental health needs, emotional concerns, behavioral patterns, and social circumstances.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans.
• Help clients identify goals and develop practical strategies for managing personal, interpersonal, academic, or occupational difficulties.
• Listen carefully to clients and demonstrate understanding of spoken information, emotions, and concerns.
• Communicate treatment recommendations and clinical information clearly in both spoken and written form.
• Recognize warning signs of emotional distress, crisis, self-harm, harm to others, substance use concerns, or other risks.
• Apply deductive and inductive reasoning to evaluate client needs, identify patterns, and select appropriate interventions.
• Maintain confidential client records, progress notes, assessments, and treatment documentation.
• Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, educators, case managers, or community agencies as appropriate.
• Refer clients to additional services, specialists, or community resources when needed.
• Support clients in developing coping skills, communication skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Maintain compliance with applicable professional ethics, confidentiality laws, and agency policies.
• Participate in supervision, case consultation, continuing education, and professional development activities.

Benefits

• Benefits provided through the State of Georgia’s State Health Benefit Plan
• Specific medical, dental, and vision plans covered 100% for employees and 50% for eligible dependents
• Generous employer contribution towards the employee’s retirement plan as part of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia
• Paid holidays and days off
• Paid family leave and backup care reimbursement
• Working for a mission-driven organization doing impactful work
• A fun, collaborative, and balanced culture

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level