2024-2025 Temporary High School Mental Health Specialist - Gateways High School

Springfield Public Schools is committed to finding the best candidate for the job, including candidates who may come from less traditional professional backgrounds. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job posting. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications outlined in the job posting. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources to discuss your application.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range is $43,998 - $95,320 (salary will be pro-rate based on date of hire) depending on education/experience plus a generous benefit plan.

About the District

Springfield Public Schools is located in Springfield, Oregon, in the heart of the Willamette Valley, and serves 185 square miles of the city of Springfield and East/Central Lane County. We are directly to the East of Eugene, where the University of Oregon is located. We currently have approximately 10,000 students, over 1,400 staff members and over 600 teachers in our kindergarten through grade 12 school district. Springfield Public Schools believes student success is our most important outcome. The success of our students depends on the collective community coming together to support “Every Student, Every Day” throughout their K-12 education.

Springfield Public Schools commits to honoring the dignity of every student by creating just, equitable, and fully welcoming environments for learning.

About the Position

Springfield Public Schools seeks outstanding candidates for the position of Temporary High School Mental Health Specialist at Gateways High School. To support this work, successful candidates will possess the following characteristics that support our vision of Every Student, Every Day and share our values:

• A belief that every student can and will learn;
• The desire to eliminate inequities in student achievement;
• The motivation to foster safe, healthy and engaging environments;
• A commitment to promote an inclusive culture that draws on the assets of students, staff and community.

This position will be responsible for directly serving students with mental health concerns primarily through regular counseling and treatment planning to promote emotional and mental well-being.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides regular counseling to students and families in need of social and emotional support, including individual and small group counseling;
• Creates programs and/or treatment plans for students and families to promote emotional and mental health;
• Provides information and training for staff about emotional and social health needs of students;
• Responds to ongoing issues and unanticipated student crises during the course of a school day;
• Facilitates student and family referrals to other services and primary care givers as needed. Actively supports students and families to access and use these community resources;
• Provides crisis intervention as needed;
• Assists students and staff with behavior management plans and welfare and attendance concerns;
• Works to meet student needs effectively and resolves barriers through follow-up, advocacy, and collaboration with staff;
• Maintains accurate and timely records of activities, case management notes, and services provided to each student;
• Maintains confidentiality of student and family information and records;
• Participates in professional activities, conferences and research to maintain knowledge of best practices;
• Attends to other duties as assigned to support students;
• Works collaboratively with partnerships and other outside agencies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Clinical Psychology, School Psychology, or Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license;
• Master's degree in psychology, counseling, guidance or related area, or the equivalent;
• Three (3) years minimum preferred of successful mental health support and counseling experience working with both students and parents;
• Experience providing conflict resolution and group counseling.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate and make connections and be a liaison with community and outside resources to meet the various mental health needs of students;
• Working knowledge of the instructional and social needs of students at risk and students with disabilities;
• Knowledge of and ability to work with issues related to social anxiety, suicide, homelessness, substance abuse, child abuse, and bullying;
• Ability to design and implement in-school prevention programming;
• Ability to simultaneously manage a regular counseling schedule and triage crisis;
• Ability to prioritize multiple competing urgent tasks;
• Knowledge of principles, strategies, techniques and trends in evidence-based counseling and therapeutic practices;
• Ability to assist students in effectively analyzing and developing alternative solutions to educational, behavioral, social and emotional problems;
• Knowledge of laws and regulations related to child welfare, reporting and referral; and school instructional and curriculum programs;
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences;
• Demonstrated understanding of respect, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, background, or ability;
• Ability to work well in a collaborative and team-oriented work environment;
• Belief all students can learn given the appropriate supports;
• Committed to students and displays tenacity in helping them succeed.

Other Notes

This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job posting is not a contract of employment or a promise of guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

How to Apply

All postings/applications go through TalentEd Hire. Go to www.springfield.k12.or.us and click on the “Join Our Team” link. Locate the Licensed Postings button and click on the link, which takes you to TalentEd Hire.

Incomplete applications may not be considered. A complete application includes the following:

• Current resume;
• Complete application form including criminal history, drug-screen consent and affirmative action information forms on TalentEd Hire;
• Equity and Inclusion written statement (see prompt in application);
• Complete set of college/university transcripts (official or unofficial);
• At least three (3) current letters of recommendation from persons qualified to comment on your skills, abilities, and/or preparation for the position.

An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender or sexual orientation in admission or access to the treatment of employment in its programs and activities as required by state and federal law. If you have any complaints, please contact Human Resources at (541) 726-3203.

It is our policy to provide qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with applicable law. Applicants wishing to claim veterans' preference must provide the following military documents verifying their eligibility:

Veterans: A copy of the applicant's Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (a federal DD Form 214 or 215), which shows character of service upon discharge OR a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicating the applicant receives a non-service connected pension.

Disabled Veterans: A copy of the applicant's Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (a federal DD Form 214 or 215), which shows character of service upon discharge AND a copy of the applicant’s veteran's disability preference letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (unless the information is included on the DD Form 214 or 215).

For veterans’ preference to apply, the required military documents must be submitted at the time of application submission.