Mental Health Professional (Middle School and High School)

Mental Health Professional

Supervisor: Executive Director of Educational Services
Contract Length: 195 Day Contract
Job Classification: Professional Support
FLSA: Exempt

In the Fort Dodge Community School District, we are professional, high-performing team players focused on delivering the best possible learning experience for each one of our 3700 students. We respect diversity, value integrity, reward competitively, celebrate success and support employee growth and development. We aim to attract, develop and retain the best people as part of our Dodger family.

Job Summary

The Mental Health Therapist provides mental health psychotherapy to adolescents, children and families in an outpatient, school-based setting.

Essential Functions:

• Evaluate and assess mental health functioning and diagnosis of mental health conditions.
• Provide counseling activities including but not limited to: enhancing coping skills, providing family functioning interventions, promoting communication and social interaction, family relationship enhancement, parenting education, substance abuse education and/or treatment, mental health, or domestic violence counseling.
• Complete required assessments, treatment plans, progress reports, case notes, and any other required documentation.
• Maintain all required licenses, certification and continuing education requirements for license and certifications.
• Maintain ethical boundaries with all.
• Ensure confidentiality of all students and families.
• Provide screening, ongoing assessment, treatment planning, treatment plan reviews, completion of outcome measures, and other required activities.
• Provide crisis intervention and support for children and families,as needed.
• Work as part of school based teams at designated schools.
• Assist with professional development and training of school personnel, parents, and students on related mental health topics.
• Work within a problem-solving model to assist the MTSS school teams and other staff and interventions and referrals for formal evaluation of students when supported by data.
• Provide coaching and consultation to families and school staff to enhance the students full participation in school and with positive educational experiences.
• Apprise schools of actions taken on behalf of students.
• Initiate referrals to family services and coordinate outside agency participation with students and their families as needed.
• Establish and maintain a collaborative relationship with community agencies serving children and youth.
• Inform supervisor of potential problems or unusual events.
• Use effective, positive interpersonal communication skills.
• Adhere to federal and state laws (FERPA and HIPAA) as well as school board policies.
• Represent the district in a positive and professional manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Mental Health or a related field.
• Individual must hold a current Iowa license if practicing in a field covered by Iowa licensure law or a Professional School Counselor license through the BOEE.
• Licensed Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor and/or Marriage and Family therapist preferred.
• Must hold a Statement of Professional Recognition through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE).
• Prior experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of current Mental Health Therapies.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws relevant to position.
• Ability to use computer network system, technology devices and software applications.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, coworkers, and the greater community.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

Travel Requirements:

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

It is the policy of Fort Dodge Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. If you have questions or grievances related to this policy, please contact Aaron Davidson, Executive Director Educational Services, 515-576-1161, adavidson@fdschools.org, located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501, or contact the Office for Civil Rights Midwestern Division for U. S. Department of Education Office, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 (Alternate for Section 504 is Branwyn Greathouse, Director of Special Education/Special Needs, 515-574-5675, bgreathouse@fdschools.org, Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501). Affirmative Action Compliance Coordinator The District’s Compliance Coordinator for Affirmative Action is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, 515-576-1161, kwhitmore@fdschools.org, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Physical/Sexual Abuse Reporting The District’s Designated Investigators of Physical/Sexual Abuse of Students by School EmployeesRoger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731,rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. The alternate is Branwyn Greathouse, Director of Special Education/Special Needs, 515-574-5675, bgreathouse@fdschools.org, Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Harassment Complaints and Allegations The District’s Officers for Harassment Complaints and Allegations Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731, rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Sex Discrimination and Harassment (Title IX) The District’s Coordinator for Sex Discrimination and Harassment is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, kwhitmore@fdschools.org, located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. The Deputy Coordinator is Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731, rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Rev. 7/2024

Fort Dodge Community School District is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.