Behavioral & Mental Health Specialist

Behavioral & Mental Health Specialist

Job : 5699147 Final date to receive applications: Posted until filled Posted: May 07, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)
Starting Date: Immediately

Job Title: Behavioral & Mental Health Specialist Wage/Hour Status: Exempt Reports to: Director, Student Support Services Pay Grade: 2 Administrative Education Dept./School: Academics and School Leadership Initiated Date: April 2026

La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district’s vision - Educational Excellence:
The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.

Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community.

• Customer Service
• Trust & Transparency
• High-Quality Instruction
• Excellence in Leadership
• Integrity & Accountability

We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to a high-quality, best-fit school as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.

La Joya ISD is seeking a Behavioral and Mental Health Specialist who is committed to supporting students through trauma-informed practices, individualized behavior intervention plans, and family-focused strategies. The ideal candidate brings both clinical and educational expertise and can work across campuses to promote safe, inclusive learning environments for all students.

This individual should be a strong communicator, problem-solver, and relationship-builder who can partner effectively with students, families, teachers, counselors, administrators, and community agencies. The Behavioral and Mental Health Specialist must be able to provide direct support to students while also building staff capacity through coaching, training, and consultation.

The ideal candidate demonstrates urgency, professionalism, and the ability to manage complex situations while maintaining a focus on student well‑being, behavior improvement, and positive school culture.

You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your leadership journey and have access to the highest‑quality, research‑based resources and instructional materials. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of where we need to grow and learn.

• Bachelor’s degree required; preferred in psychology, counseling, social work or related field
• Master’s degree preferred
• Valid Texas Certification in counseling, social work, or related field
• License Professional Counselor (LPC), LCSW, or similar credentials required

• Minimum of three years working with students in a counseling, behavioral intervention, or social‑emotional support capacity required
• Experience in school-based or youth mental health settings preferred
• Experience supporting behavior intervention plans, crisis response, and staff training preferred

• Demonstrated ability to support all types of students, including students with special needs and Emergent Bilingual students
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practices, behavior intervention, and mental health frameworks
• Knowledge of Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
• Ability to provide coaching and training for teachers and families
• Skilled in crisis intervention and de‑escalation strategies
• Ability to analyze student behavior data and develop targeted intervention plans
• Knowledgeable in the physical, mental and emotional child development process
• Ability to collaborate with campus and district teams to support student success
• Knowledge of FERPA, IDEA, Section 504, and other legal standards related to student support
• Experience in using and interpreting data to inform decision-making…