School - Based Therapist

Why join our countywide agency?

• Make a meaningful impact every day with an agency dedicated to improving our community and fostering a positive, employee- and client-focused work culture.
• Enjoy competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, including 90-100% employer-paid medical insurance, generous sick leave, holiday pay, and a complimentary subscription to the Calm meditation/sleep app.
• Benefit from ongoing professional development with continuous employee education and paid clinical supervision.
• Take advantage of our National Health Service Corps approved site status, which offers licensed MFTs and LCSWs the opportunity to receive $50K to $100K in loan repayment with a two- to three-year service commitment. Find more information here.
• We prioritize flexibility, offering adaptable hours and work schedules to fit your needs.

We look forward to you joining our team at FSA of Santa Barbara County!

The Position

Are you dedicated to making a significant impact on the lives of children, youth, and families? Family Service Agency invites passionate professionals to join us as School-Based Therapists in Santa Maria, where you will work with at-risk elementary and secondary students and their families. In this role, you will thrive in a supportive environment that values clinical excellence, collaboration, and inclusion. You will be stationed at a designated school site within the Santa Maria Bonita School District, providing both in-person and, when necessary, telehealth sessions. As a School-Based Therapist, you will engage closely with high-risk students, their families, teachers, school counselors, and administrators. You will also collaborate with community agencies to make appropriate referrals and ensure comprehensive care. Our experienced clinical training program will offer you quality supervision to meet Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements and support your professional growth. Your supervisor will be available to guide you through clinical interventions and decision-making processes. We currently offer multiple full-time and part-time positions. Join us to contribute to a positive work culture and benefit from ongoing professional development and clinical supervision!

FSA is committed to being a trauma-informed and resilience-focused organization. We actively support our staff in maintaining a healthy balance between personal well-being and professional care, recognizing the impact of trauma work on staff.

Sample of Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Communicate regularly and work collaboratively with the school-based support team that includes the school principal, school psychologist, teachers, the family advocate and the school-based mental health counselors/therapists. Keeps principal apprised of social, emotional, and behavioral concerns with students.
2. Identify high-risk children/families that have high probability of developing emotional/behavioral problems.
3. Assist students in developing behavioral skills for resisting social influences that promote high-risk behaviors through direct instruction, modeling, rehearsal, coaching and reinforcement.
4. Assist students in developing necessary assertiveness, communication, goal-setting, and problem-solving skills that may enable them to avoid high-risk behaviors.
5. Provide direct services to high-risk children and families through direct counseling support, networking and referral to community-based agencies.
6. Provide direct services to families at home through phoning or home contacts for students identified as at-risk.
7. Attend Child Study Team meetings as they relate to the high-risk children/families with whom they may be working (at the determination of the principal).
8. Provide supportive services or referrals, when necessary, for high-risk children and others on campus.
9. Provide consultation to teachers, counselors/therapists, deans, and principals.
10. May conduct classroom presentations at the discretion of the principal.

Employment Qualifications:

• Master’s degree required; must be an AMFT, ASW, LMFT, or LCSW in good standing with the BBS in CA.
• Minimum of one year working with children and/or teens preferred.
• Excellent analytical, computer, written and verbal communication skills required.
• Professional attitude, teamwork, and ability to maintain confidentiality a must.
• Must possess valid driver license and auto insurance.

Classification, Hours and Pay Rate:

• This position offers multiple openings from part-time to full-time (30-40 hours per week) during the school year, non-exempt, with benefits.
• We offer an extensive benefits package, including 90-100% employer-paid medical insurance, along with dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a 403(b)-retirement plan. Additionally, we provide generous holiday and sick leave. Benefits are prorated for part-time positions starting at 30 hours per week.
• Pay range is from $34-$41/hour depending on experience and licensure status.

To apply for this position, it is required that you submit a cover letter with a resume.