Consultant, Behavioral Health

About the Role

Join a team committed to making a meaningful difference in education, health, and community well-being. The Consultant, Behavioral Health role resides within Student Support Services, which comprises many programs and projects designed to assist educators and community members in improving student connection by supporting the safety and well-being of students. This position focuses on increasing and supporting access to behavioral health services and supports for students and families by facilitating regional cross-system coordination. Responsibilities include supporting school districts in developing and implementing comprehensive suicide prevention, behavioral health supports, level 1 and level 2 threat assessment consultation regarding behavioral health, and district policies and procedures for emotional and behavioral health needs.

Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) is one of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts and state-approved charter and private schools in Washington. Serving over 39% of Washington’s K-12 public school students, PSESD provides critical services to ensure students are ready for school, achieve at high levels in the K-12 system, and succeed in postsecondary endeavors. The agency is committed to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization driven by equity in education.

Responsibilities

• Increase and support access to behavioral health services and supports for students and families through regional cross-system coordination.
• Support school districts in developing and implementing comprehensive suicide prevention and behavioral health supports for students.
• Provide level 1 and level 2 threat assessment consultation regarding behavioral health.
• Assist in developing district policies and procedures for emotional and behavioral health needs.
• Demonstrate knowledge and expertise in engaging with partners, including children, families, and communities, to promote wellness and self-sufficiency.
• Anticipate potential crises and implement best practices in prevention; respond appropriately during crises and establish learning avenues to prevent or mitigate future incidents.
• Possess and maintain functional/technical knowledge and skills relevant to the role; apply new skills and enhance existing ones.
• Assess, organize, and prioritize work with realistic time parameters.
• Work collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals and make decisions.
• Coordinate programs, maintain electronic records, prepare reports and resource materials, analyze service needs, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Facilitate cross-system partnerships, professional learning communities, and training for educators, behavioral health providers, and community partners.
• Supervise or mentor staff and apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and antiracist practices to improve equitable access to behavioral health services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Health, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Health, Education, Human Services, or a closely related field, with years of related experience supporting behavioral health, school-based mental health, youth services, or community health programs. OR Associate’s degree with progressively responsible related experience may substitute for the Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health systems, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), suicide prevention and intervention, crisis response, threat assessment, and community behavioral health resources serving children, youth, and families.
• Experience providing consultation, technical assistance, training, or coordination with schools, community agencies, or multidisciplinary teams to improve behavioral health services and student outcomes.
• Experience working in a school setting.
• Proficiency in using technology tools and platforms (e.g., MS Office Suite, Google Suite, or other communication tools).

Antiracist Leadership Competencies

• Cultural Proficiency: Articulates and applies historical context of racism and understands the current reality of students and communities of color. Actively demonstrates a commitment to supporting equity and inclusion and serves as an advocate to meet the agency’s goal of becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization.
• Racial Equity Advocate: Recognizes, supports, and engages in dismantling institutional racism. Partners with and is accountable to children, families, and communities of color.
• Racial Equity Mindset: Demonstrates awareness of biases, internalized racial superiority, and oppression. Leads with a racial equity lens and actively uses racial equity tools in meaningful ways.
• Transformational Values: Contributes to positive, antiracist transformation in individuals, organizations, and social systems. Fosters a sense of community and shared purpose through collaboration and cooperation. Embodies the agency’s culture and operates from an abundance mentality.