Mental Health Specialist - Part-Time

Marquette-Alger RESA•Marquette, MI

27d

About The Position

The Mental Health Specialist provides direct therapy and intervention services to students in local school districts and helps develop and implement treatment plans addressing children's educational, social, and emotional needs. The role includes facilitating mental health screenings, treating mental health challenges, and helping school district staff develop plans to support students' social and emotional needs. The specialist works with students and families through individual, group, and community-based approaches; collaborates with school personnel and community agencies; and supports school programs and procedures. Work takes place across K–12 schools, offices, counseling spaces, and community settings, with travel between regional sites. The position is part-time, approximately one day per week, and reports to the Director of Mental Health Services. Compensation and benefits are governed by the Marquette-Alger RESA MEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Requirements

Be a licensed or limited-licensed psychologist, school psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor.
Hold current licensure with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Be capable of developing individualized programs for students with unique social-emotional needs.
Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrate proficiency using computers and software, including Google Suite, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Be highly organized and able to manage multiple activities or projects simultaneously while using resources efficiently.
Obtain and maintain current Handle with Care certification as a condition of employment.
Have regular and reliable attendance, satisfactory performance, and the physical ability to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Be able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; travel between and within work sites, including buildings with stairs; sustain focus during sessions and a full workday; handle documents and operate computers, telecommunications devices, and standard office equipment; assist with lifting, transferring, and positioning students; communicate effectively and hear/respond in person, by phone, and virtually; and have sufficient close, distance, and peripheral vision to observe behavior and complete documentation.
Be able to respond to behavioral crises, including rapid movement and exertion of force to safely guide, redirect, or restrain a student using proper body mechanics and team techniques.
Be able to drive independently in variable Upper Peninsula weather and seasonal conditions.
Be able to work in environments with varying noise levels, interact closely with students, families, staff, and agencies, and maintain emotional resilience and professional boundaries when students are in crisis or distress.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in positive behavior supports and therapeutic interventions.
Ability to provide in-service training to staff and parents.
Ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team of administrators, teachers, and parents.
Ability to adapt and function independently within a variety of school districts.
Demonstrated ability to assist educators in developing strategies and plans to ensure student success.
Demonstrated organization, self-motivation, and enthusiasm.
For psychologists and social workers, eligibility for full or temporary approval as a school psychologist and/or school social worker in Michigan.

Responsibilities

Provide direct therapy and intervention services, including crisis intervention.
Provide problem-solving services to children and families through individual, group, and community methods to help children cope with problems that affect their use of educational experiences.
Provide therapeutic interventions to develop skills such as self-regulation, social skills, problem-solving, and independence.
Serve as a liaison among schools, homes, and communities to build and maintain positive relationships.
Facilitate mental health screenings and assessments as required.
Coordinate and develop resources within and outside the school system for children, families, and school personnel.
Collaborate with principals, teachers, and other school personnel to improve existing programs and procedures and plan and implement new ones addressing children's educational, social, and emotional needs.
Assist in developing and implementing functional behavioral assessments, behavioral intervention plans, emergency student assistance, and school-based risk assessments.
Use data-based decision-making to lead a problem-solving model for student academic and behavioral concerns.
Facilitate professional learning for regional and district staff.
Maintain confidentiality and complete timely documentation for compliance activities, including Plans of Care, case notes, and school-based health services billing.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain confidentiality of Marquette-Alger RESA and LEA affairs and exercise sound judgment with school districts, staff, students, and community agencies.
Maintain current Handle with Care certification and apply approved de-escalation and physical intervention techniques during behavioral crises.
Travel independently by motor vehicle to multiple regional sites and potentially other Upper Peninsula counties or statewide.