Mental Health Specialist

AREA COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES•Hamden, CT

2d•$59,981 - $104,444•Onsite

About The Position

The Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School community is seeking a transformative educator to serve as our School Mental Health Specialist. Wintergreen was recognized by Magnet Schools of America and is committed to providing students with an engaging educational experience rooted in arts integration, restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and academic excellence. At Wintergreen, our vision is to provide all students with a safe and nurturing environment that immerses each student in the arts, grounds them in restorative practices, and engages their minds to ensure academic and personal success. The School Mental Health Specialist will play a critical role in fostering a positive school climate and supporting the social, emotional, behavioral, and academic success of all students. This individual will collaborate with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community partners to provide a comprehensive continuum of supports aligned with the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.

Requirements

Connecticut certification in one of the following areas is required: 071 School Social Worker, 068 School Counselor, 070 School Psychologist
Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field required.
Strong knowledge of child and adolescent development.
Experience implementing social-emotional learning programs and behavioral supports.
Knowledge of MTSS frameworks and data-informed decision-making.
Experience with restorative practices and relationship-centered approaches to student support.
Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
A commitment to equity, inclusion, and educating the whole child.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with elementary and/or middle school students preferred.
Experience implementing SEL programming, restorative practices, and MTSS interventions is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead and support schoolwide social-emotional learning initiatives utilizing the RULER framework.
Plan and facilitate SEL lessons, small groups, and interventions that promote self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, and emotional intelligence.
Collaborate with teachers and staff to integrate social-emotional learning practices into classroom instruction and school culture.
Support the implementation of restorative practices through restorative conversations, circles, conflict resolution, and community-building activities.
Participate in and support MTSS teams by identifying student needs, analyzing data, monitoring progress, and developing interventions.
Provide individual and group counseling services to students as appropriate.
Partner with families to support student well-being and connect them with community resources.
Assist with crisis intervention, threat assessment, and behavioral support planning.
Collaborate with school staff to create safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments for all students.
Maintain appropriate records, documentation, and compliance with state and federal requirements.