Student Assistance Specialist - Charlottesville Middle School

Req#

Position Title:

Student Assistance Specialist

This is a FLSA exempt position in which the incumbent works as part of Prevention Services to provide implementation, coordination and management for a student assistance program sited at a local school. The incumbent will provide crisis intervention services, focusing on short‑term stabilization of children including mental health assessment and clinical interventions. The incumbent shall provide behavioral coaching, role‑modeling, psycho‑education/skill building, crisis counseling and emotional support to selected children and families in behavioral health areas, including attachment, parenting, behavioral management, problem‑solving, self‑management, social interaction, independent living, crisis management, employment searching and work skills.

The incumbent will also function as an outreach specialist to provide in‑community prevention programs for children, adolescents, families and citizens at large.

The incumbent works with human service agencies, treatment teams, schools, local jurisdictions and citizen groups to provide consultation and implementation of programs of service and education about and prevention of substance addiction, mental health and promotion of resiliency.

The incumbent reports to the Director of Prevention Services and to the school system administrator. The incumbent receives general supervision after specific program objectives have been determined and defined by program administrators.

• Provides assessment of the need for local programs of prevention, particularly those addressing violence, mental health and substance use issues.
• Designs and/or establishes prevention services to meet prioritized school needs, prioritizing “at‑risk” students.
• Provides consultation to other schools and school system staff regarding prevention and intervention services.
• Provides liaison with local agencies to coordinate referrals for treatment services and coordinates services with therapists and other professionals, agencies, schools, and other resources. Participates in case conferences, presents information on observations of child/family behavior and functioning, and identifies family strengths, weaknesses, areas of stability and instability, and progress toward treatment goals.
• Provides crisis intervention services as defined by DMAS and licensure regulations.
• Coordinates the school‑based Student Assistance Program, which may include a student assistance core team, prevention/education presentations, individual assessments and brief counseling, psycho‑educational groups, a peer mediation program, consultation and referrals, crisis intervention, and/or parent training.
• Participates in trainings provided through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• Provides in‑service training at the direction of the Director or Program Manager of Prevention Services.
• Works evening hours as required by assignment by the school administrator in charge of student assistance programs or the Director or Program Manager of Prevention Services.
• Receives supervision in prevention assignments and issues as required.
• Completes documentation as required. Maintains current and complete records, including daily entries of services in the Prevention Database required by DBHDS and maintains required records for any crisis intervention services provided.
• Attends required meetings.
• Supervises volunteers or students as assigned.
• Reads all agency communication (i.e., Ten, Region Ten’s newsletter, E‑mail, etc.).
• Performs other duties as assigned in keeping with the general description of this position.
• Function effectively within two separate systems; school and Region Ten.
• Acts as liaison between Region Ten service provider, student, school and student’s parent or guardian.
• If the employee is seeking licensure, their job tasks may be varied to ensure that they meet all the 12 core competency areas as set forth by the applicable licensing board.

• Master’s degree in a pertinent mental health field…