Student Assistance Professional

Department: Student Support/Student Services • Reports to: Behavioral Health Coordinator • Location: Leona Libby Middle School – Richland, WA • Classification: Classified Non-Exempt (195-day position)

About the role

Responsible for implementing comprehensive student-assistance programming at Leona Libby Middle School that addresses problems associated with substance use and mental-health concerns for the 2026-27 school year.

Responsibilities

• Provides Tier 1 & Tier 2 behavioral-health supports to students, including substance-use/mental-health screenings and referral information.
• Provides training to teachers, counselors, community youth workers, parents, students, and school administrators as part of ESD 123.
• Participates as a member of the Student Assistance Team at the assigned school(s) and assists in developing, maintaining, and/or enhancing an internal “identification, intervention & referral process” for school staff.
• Implements selected evidence-based programming with fidelity.
• Facilitates school-based support/education groups for students and provides individual support for students in need.
• Provides staff-development training in behavioral health, including prevention, intervention, recovery, and student-assistance programming.
• Provides alcohol and other drug awareness and prevention programs for staff, students, parents, and the community.
• Develops youth prevention/empowerment clubs that focus on substance-abuse and violence prevention.
• Implements and maintains methods of program evaluation and review, including primary prevention, secondary prevention and intervention, and student recovery and reintegration programs.
• Assists in referrals to treatment and provides support to students transitioning back to school from chemical-dependency treatment programs, expulsions, and suspensions directly related to alcohol/drug and violence issues.
• Maintains program records and files, compiles data, and prepares reports as needed to comply with funding requirements; enters data on the RMC Research website and submits pre/post-test program surveys to supervisor for evaluation.
• Assists in supporting the development and/or enhancement of alcohol and other drug–related policies and procedures in school districts when requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following:
  • Bachelor’s in criminal justice, behavioral health, social work, psychology, education, or other social-services degree and the ability to obtain Certified Prevention Specialist credentials within one year of hire based on an approved professional-development plan by supervisor.
  • Washington State Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) or employee may be considered in the process of obtaining a credential (SUDPT).
  • ESA school counselor, certified school psychologist, or school social worker with a minimum of 20 credit hours in substance-abuse education (RCW 28A.170.090).
  • DSHS-qualified mental-health counselor.
  • AA/AAS degree and a minimum of 1 year of direct service working with at-risk youth.
  • Years of relevant work experience can be substituted for minimum education requirements (e.g., 2 years of related experience to 1 year of completed course work).
• Must maintain current certification, registration, and/or licensure and training requirements as required to maintain employment.
• Minimum 1 year of experience working with children.
• Minimum 1 year of experience working in a behavioral-health–related field.
• Demonstrated case-management and record-keeping skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of alcohol/drug-abuse and mental-health federal confidentiality laws.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of behavioral-health assessment, intervention, treatment, and recovery process for children and families.
• Demonstrated knowledge of violence as it relates to bullying and harassment.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to take direction from supervisors and understand ESD policies and procedures related to employee responsibilities.
• Ability to work successfully as an ESD team member by contributing to the ESD Strategic Plan, including supporting agency initiatives and sponsored events.
• WSP/FBI background clearance required.

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in a school setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with students, parents, and the community.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with school staff, including teachers, administrators, and non-classified staff.
• Successful experience in working with and collaborating with community agencies.

Traits

• Proactive self-starter with a strong sense of taking initiative without waiting to be told what to do.
• Flexible and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment where you may need to wear several hats.
• Confident yet humble—lacking excessive ego or concern about status; willing to share credit, emphasize team over self, and define success collectively rather than individually.
• Hungry—always looking for more: more things to do, learn, and take responsibility for; constantly thinking about the next step or opportunity.
• Smart—possesses common sense about people, good judgment, and intuition around group dynamics and the impact of your words and actions.

Mindset

The following statements must resonate with you:

• “Yes, that is possible. Let me handle it; I’ll figure it out.”
• “I am not sure, but I will find out for you.”
• “I have not done that before, but I can do it.”
• “I take a see-it, own-it, solve-it, do-it approach.”

About Our Team and Agency

Helping students realize their dreams and aspirations is at the heart of everything we do at ESD 123. We accomplish this by embracing our employees as One Team, operating with loyalty and commitment through compassion, dedication, and collaboration. At ESD 123, we strive to offer the highest-quality customer experience by committing to our Culture Playbook and always looking for ways to say, “Yes, and…” Each member of our ESD team must be humble, hungry, and smart, with a focus on making teammates look good while working toward achieving our mission. We want this position to be one you are or can be passionate about and look forward to embracing. We want you to grow, be challenged, and have fun while doing things you are skilled at and enjoy. We are looking for someone who is proud to join our ESD One Team.

Working Conditions

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine-finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking, and 20% standing. The job is performed under a generally hazard-free environment; hazards are those present in a normal office setting with no known significant risks.

Pay

Hourly rate: $32.23 (step 1/year 1) – $36.29 (step 5/year 5). Paid once a month on the last working day of the month. Gross monthly paycheck example for a full work year (195 days, 8 hours per day): $4,189.90 (step 1/year 1) – $4,717.70 (step 5/year 5). Amount may vary slightly based on hiring date and months remaining in the work calendar (September 1–August 31).

Benefits

• Opportunities to receive on-the-job training.
• Access to full benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement account; medical reimbursement account; life and long-term disability insurance.
• SEBB insurance benefits.
• Access to the agency’s wellness program.
• 10 paid sick days per year.
• 2 paid personal days per year.
• Customary school breaks with summer off.