SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (11-MONTH) - LOUISA (FULL TIME)

About the role

The incumbent works in the Louisa County Public Schools (LCPS) as an employee of Region Ten Louisa Outpatient program providing crisis interventions, mental health and substance abuse counseling, prevention services, and care coordination. The incumbent will be expected to effectively coordinate with school administrators, counselors, teachers, School Resource Officers (SRO), parents or guardians, Region Ten Crisis Counselors and Emergency Services (ES), other Region Ten programs, Dept of Human Services (DHS), Court Services Unit (CSU) and other community partners as required. For clinical supervision and administrative purposes, the incumbent reports to the Director III of the Region Ten Louisa Counseling Center. For daily assignment of tasks and responsibilities, the incumbent reports to the LCPS Director of Pupil Personnel Services. This is an 11‑month position (10‑month school calendar plus an additional 4‑5 weeks over the summer at an agreed‑upon Region Ten location, with 4 weeks of summer vacation). The incumbent may be required to work extended hours at the discretion of the Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Duties are performed in accordance with applicable professional ethics, Region Ten policies, and LCPS policies, utilizing independent judgment and standard practices. Clinical and administrative supervision is provided by the Louisa Counseling Center Director; day‑to‑day direction and coordination is via the LCPS Director of Pupil Personnel Services.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis interventions, mental health and substance abuse counseling, prevention services, and care coordination for students and families.
• Coordinate with school administrators, counselors, teachers, SROs, parents/guardians, Region Ten Crisis Counselors and Emergency Services, other Region Ten programs, DHS, CSU, and community partners.
• Conduct suicide risk and threat assessments.
• Deliver short‑term crisis counseling.
• Assess, design, and deliver prevention services in individual, small‑group, or large‑group settings.
• Engage children/adolescents and their families in services; develop treatment plans.
• Provide family, individual, and group therapy; multicultural counseling; parent education.
• Collaborate with individuals involved in the criminal justice system and across agencies.
• Conduct outreach, write reports, maintain records, and operate word‑processing/computer systems.

Qualifications

Clinician I

• Bachelor’s degree, QMHP
• Master’s degree in license‑eligible field but not yet license eligible as defined by DMAS
• Master’s in non‑license‑eligible field
• Ph.D. in non‑licensure‑eligible field
• Other non‑related degrees

Clinician II

• Master’s degree and license eligible according to DHP definition: Master’s in psychology, social work, counseling, substance abuse, or marriage and family therapy from an accredited college/university.
• Education verified by official transcript with conferral date.
• Evidence of internship/practicum of at least 500 hours with persons who have a mental illness (Verification of Internship/Practicum for QMHP form).
• Under direct personal supervision of a Virginia‑licensed professional working toward licensure and in compliance with the appropriate Virginia licensing board; may perform LMHP functions for Medicaid reimbursement (designated LMHP‑E).
• Ability to register within six months of hire; continued employment contingent on meeting the above definition within 6 months.

Clinician III

• Licensed as one of the following: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Clinical Psychologist.
• Master’s degree in a human‑service‑related field with coursework in DSM‑5 diagnosis (required).
• One or more years’ experience working with children and/or adolescents in a clinical setting (preferred).
• Licensure as LCSW, LPC, or equivalent preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles, theory, and current best practice in treatment of child and adolescent crisis intervention, suicide and threat assessment, mental health, substance use disorder, and co‑occurring disorders.
• Prevention services.
• Child and adolescent development.
• Family systems theory and impact of substance use, mental health, and co‑occurring disorders on the family.
• Community referral resources.
• Psychiatric medications appropriate to the target population.

Skills in:

• Working with children and families in crisis or with mental health, substance abuse, or developmental delays.
• Engaging children/adolescents and families in services.
• Treatment planning.
• Family, individual, and group therapy; multicultural counseling; parent education.
• Collaboration with individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
• Interagency collaboration.
• Outreach, report writing, maintaining records, word processing and computer operation.

Abilities to:

• Perform mental health and substance abuse counseling for children, adolescents, and families.
• Conduct suicide risk and threat assessments.
• Provide short‑term crisis counseling.
• Assess, design, and deliver prevention services in individual, small‑group, or large settings.
• Establish rapport with clients and families.
• Respond empathetically while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Represent the school and agency professionally.
• Accept and seek supervision.
• Communicate effectively with clients and professionals.
• Be organized and efficient in completing assigned responsibilities.

Pay

• Grade 9 – Clinician I: $21.02 – $31.53 per hour
• Grade 10 – Clinician II: $25.00 – $34.68 per hour
• Grade 11 – Clinician III: $27.40 – $38.15 per hour

Schedule

Full‑time (11‑month position following the 10‑month school calendar plus 4‑5 additional weeks in summer).

Location

Louisa Counseling Center, 206 Elm Ave, Louisa, VA 23093