Mental Health/ Behavioral Counselor

Location: Cicero Preparatory Academy, 7205 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ | Reports To: Headmaster | FLSA Status: Exempt

Join Great Hearts Academies, a growing network of 49 public, open-enrollment, tuition-free classical schools in Phoenix (AZ), Baton Rouge (LA), Dallas/Ft. Worth (TX), and San Antonio (TX). Great Hearts currently provides over 30,000 K-12 students with access to a high-quality, classical liberal arts education. We believe the highest goal of education is to become good, intellectually and morally.

About the Role

The School Counselor/Social Worker will plan and oversee school counseling services, manage and conduct therapy for IEP & 504 students, and support general education students with social and emotional needs. This role acts as a liaison for students requiring crisis support and collaborates with academy staff on behavior support plans.

Responsibilities

• Support general education and special education teachers in behavior system creation and implementation.
• Provide coaching to classroom staff implementing new behavior support plans and meet with site-based teams during initial implementation.
• Coach new teachers on classroom management strategies and model tier I/II strategies for academy staff.
• Collect and analyze relevant data during plan implementation and guide staff on behavior data collection.
• Provide behavior crisis support as needed and complete fidelity checks for behavior support plans.
• Provide recurring direct and group school-based counseling to general education students identified through a referral process.
• Respond to and provide limited-scope crisis counseling to students and staff in emergency situations, including active suicidal/homicidal ideation or acute psychosis.
• Collaborate with families, administration, and staff to develop safety plans for students in crisis.
• Consult with families and staff to assess threats and risks to self and others, and provide referrals to community agencies for long-term support.
• Provide direct personal and group counseling and consultative services to students with IEPs, assisting staff in implementing behavioral accommodations.
• Develop and maintain a schedule for counseling sessions across assigned schools (primarily in the west valley, with possible north valley locations).
• Communicate and collaborate with parents, staff, and administration regarding student planning and progress.
• Attend IEP and special education evaluation meetings, completing relevant paperwork and quarterly progress reports.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy (or equivalent).
• Preferred experience in crisis counseling, safety/threat assessment, and school-based counseling.
• Specialized training and experience working with students with disabilities is ideal.
• Certification as LMSW, LCSW, MFT, LPC, or equivalent.
• US work authorization required (OPT/CPT candidates accepted).
• Employment contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance.

Skills

• Ability to stand, sit, perform repetitious hand and body movements, bend, squat, and reach.
• May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds.

Benefits

• Exceptional benefits (medical, dental, vision) with minimal employee cost.
• Valuable professional development offerings, including great books seminars, leadership and special education coursework, and reduced tuition graduate degree support with select partner universities.

Travel

May require local travel for training and professional development opportunities.