Mental Health Specialist II

Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. The Division is comprised of over 50,000 students and over 5,500 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.

Requisition  Hours Per Week: 35 Position:
New FTE: 1 Department:
Occu, Phy & MH Therapy No Months Per Year: 10 Position Status:
Permanent Employee Group: OOS Rate of Pay: $74,166 - $91,750 Posting Closing Date: 8/27/26

The Mental Health Specialist II is a regulated mental health professional who provides advanced mental health support to students, including assessment, psychosocial interventions, and, if necessary, diagnostic assessments. This role encompasses developing tailored interventions, supporting mental health programming, and acting as a key resource for the school community. The role primarily provides individual counselling, small group therapy and Universal design for learning strategies in classes or across the school.

The goal is to provide short-term, effective mental health interventions to as many students in need as possible, reducing challenges that hinder their school participation and maximizing their academic learning.

This posting will be used to fill two (2) vacant positions.

• Conduct individual biopsychosocial assessments of students in consultation with staff, families, and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to determine student counselling goals and needs.
• Utilize a variety of evidence‑based therapeutic modalities , including restricted psychosocial interventions (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, other) in individual or small group treatment sessions to promote emotional well‑being, resilience and recovery.
• Contribute to the delivery of social‑emotional learning (SEL) programs within classes and schools to enhance students' social and emotional skills.
• Provide crisis prevention, consultation, and intervention services, including suicide risk assessments and safety planning, in collaboration with school administrators, key school staff, and family members to ensure student safety and well‑being.
• Conduct standardized diagnostic assessments and complete reports that provide a diagnosis, when applicable, using the DSM‑5‑TR and other diagnostic tools as appropriate.
• Provide psychoeducation, modelling, and strategies to staff and students to establish trauma‑sensitive, neurodiversity‑affirming, and safe & caring school practices.

• Develop therapeutic goals and implement short‑term, evidence‑based interventions for students experiencing mental health‑related challenges/disorders to address their specific needs and promote positive outcomes.
• Recommend evidence‑based strategies to school staff and families to support students across contexts.
• Maintain accurate documentation of students’ information, session notes, intervention, and progress.
• Complete assessment reports
• Use outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of counselling and improve intervention strategies

• Collaborate with multi‑disciplinary team members to identify student/family needs, coordinate inter‑disciplinary services, as well as share observations, recommendations and support plans.
• Liaise with family, community professionals and health service providers to support comprehensive care or apply strategies across the student’s contexts (home, community and school)
• Act as a resource for school staff regarding mental health strategies and practices to enhance their capacity to support students effectively.
• Make referrals for specialised community mental health assessment for students presenting symptoms of mental health disorders
• Collaborate as needed with other professionals involved with the child and family, including Recovery Alberta, justice and Children & Family Services, to provide integrated support.
• Advocate on behalf of the child and family as appropriate to ensure their needs…