2024-2025 Middle School Mental Health Specialist - Hamlin Middle 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.

Posting Opens: Friday, May 10, 2024

Posting Closes: Open Until Filled (submit your application materials by Sunday, May 19, 2024 in order to be considered during the initial application review process)

Salary and Benefits

The salary range is $42,103 - $91,215 (based on the 2023-24 SEA Certified salary schedule) 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 more than 9,000 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.

In Springfield Public Schools, we acknowledge that systemic barriers have perpetuated disparities and disproportionate outcomes for students from historically marginalized populations. We believe that educational equity is about providing every student with the opportunities and resources to thrive, and removing the barriers that have led to the predictability of academic success based on identity. We assert that working for educational equity is the responsibility of each person in our system.

We strive to create welcoming and inclusive cultures and environments that embrace and affirm the identity of each student inclusive of race, ethnicity, disability, family economics, mobility, language, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, initial proficiencies, immigration status, and religion. We are committed to standing up to bias and discrimination.

We recognize that achieving educational equity is a process of assessment, reflection, and continuous improvement. We engage in these practices so that across our system, teaching and learning can be appropriately varied and responsive to every student, every day.

To learn more about Equity & Inclusion efforts at Springfield Public Schools please click here!

About the Position

Springfield Public Schools seeks outstanding candidates for the position of Middle School Mental Health Specialist at Hamlin Middle 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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides regular counseling to students and families in need of social and emotional support, including individual and small group counseling;
• Coordinates and collaborates with primary care givers and other community organizations to improve health outcomes for students;
• 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) license;
• Experience providing conflict resolution and group counseling.
• 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;
• Familiarity and comfort working with issues related to 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;
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences.

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 “Careers” 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.