Student Assistance Professional - Behavioral Health at Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) – Tukwila, Washington

Puget Sound Educational Service District seeks a dynamic, highly skilled Behavioral Health Student Assistance Professional to provide direct services to students (ages 10-21) at risk of mental health concerns and their families at Foster High School in Tukwila School District. Behavioral Health Student Assistance Professionals provide an array of behavioral health services including administering and interpreting screening and assessment, utilizing evidence-based mental health practices to guide prevention and intervention services, coordinating with school staff and community resources for the purposes of mitigating and/or reducing the impact of behavioral health related issues on student wellbeing and academic success.

Open until filled; for best consideration, submit a complete application by Sunday, August 10, 2025. In-person Interviews are tentatively scheduled for August 15, 2025.

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, our agency provides critical services designed to ensure that our students are ready to enter school, achieve at high levels in the K-12 system, and succeed in postsecondary endeavors. We are committed to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization driven by equity in education. To learn more about PSESD, visit www.psesd.org/about-psesd.

Student Assistance Professionals reside in multiple districts and schools. We are currently recruiting for the following district location(s):
Tukwila School District

Essential Functions

• Assists in developing student assistance related policies and procedures at schools for the purpose of assuring best practice standards.
• Collaborates with a variety of partners to identify larger systemic issues and strategies related to student assistance programming for the purpose of furthering programmatic goals.
• Communicates with key leaders in the school and community for the purpose of promoting partnership and program effectiveness.
• Conducts educational support groups for the purpose of reducing and/or mitigating substance abuse, behavioral health impacts and improving health and learning preparedness.

• Conducts evidence based, early intervention with students experiencing behavioral health concerns for the purposes of mitigating and/or reducing those concerns and improving health and learning preparedness.

• Conducts home visits within program guidelines and according to Learning Support Services procedures for the purpose of assisting students and families with effective supports.
• Conducts individual and family screening, monitoring referral, case management, consultation, skill building services, and follow-up within the student assistance framework and MDT for the purpose of delivering services within established guidelines.
• Coordinates activities with the assigned school team and community partners for the purpose of identifying students struggling with substance abuse or mental health related issues and referring them to school and community-based services.
• Develops and implements prevention and behavioral health plans for the purpose of ensuring that all students are safe, healthy, supported, engaged, challenged, and actively participating in their school experience.
• Embodies the principles and practices that form our culture and commitment to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization for the purpose of meeting the Agency’s End: Success for Each Child and Eliminating the Opportunity Gap by Leading with Racial Equity.
• Facilitates school-based re-entry services for the purpose of re-engaging students in academic programming and improving health and learning preparedness.
• Maintains confidential program records and files; compiles and inputs data for the purpose of complying with funding requirements and maintaining best practices.
• Participates in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to facilitate referral and coordination of supports for school staff, students, and parents for the purpose of providing substance abuse, mental health and/or drop-out reduction strategies and improving health and learning preparedness.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, and seminars for the purpose of conveying/gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Participates in program evaluation for the purpose of evaluating program effectiveness
• Presents program components to students and teachers for the purpose of sharing resources that support substance abuse reduction, improve mental health and learning preparedness.
• Provides school wide awareness programs for staff, students, and parents for the purpose of reducing and/or mitigating substance abuse, mental health, physical health and drop-out.
• Provides staff development training on topics (e.g., behavioral health prevention and intervention, social/emotional and physical health, engagement strategies, etc. etc.) for the purpose of sharing expertise and resources on prevention/intervention strategies and building team capacity.

Other Functions

JOB-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: Demonstrates knowledge and expertise related to child/youth development and growth.

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT: Demonstrates knowledge and expertise related to engaging with stakeholders, including children, families and communities, to promote wellness and self-sufficiency.

KNOWLEDGE SHARING: Imparts relevant information to others to increase understanding and overall Agency effectiveness and alignment.

PLANNING, ORGANIZATION, AND PRIORITIZATION: Assesses the work to be performed, and considers how it should be organized and accomplished, with appropriate priorities and realistic time parameters.

RECORDKEEPING AND DOCUMENTATION: Gathers, organizes, and maintains records, following confidential information and security protocols as needed. Accurately documents relevant/essential actions, processes, and practices.

• Demonstrates an understanding and commitment to using a racial equity lens
• Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, Education, Human Services, Psychology, or Social Work; OR Associate’s degree in one of the above fields AND 3+ years of progressively responsible job-related experience, AND 3+ years of progressively responsible, job-related experience
• Professional experience working with youth ages 10-21 in a counseling or case management role
• Experience collaborating with professionals from multiple disciplines with the goal of improving behavioral health outcomes for children and youth

• Experience with evidence-based mental health practices and child/family wellness and recovery
• Professional work experience working within a school environment or youth serving agency
• Experience with child/adolescent group counseling
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Eligible for an Agency Affiliated Counselor credential
• Mental Health Professional license (LICSW, LMHC, LMFT, , associate license, or in progress of a Master’s degree program leading to a Mental Health Professional license.