Mental Health and Wellness Counselor

San Marcos CISD | Lockhart ISD | Hays CISD

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Location: In-person / CIST Administrative Office / Austin, Texas

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports to: Senior Director of Mental Health Services

Supervises: May supervise AmeriCorps Members and/or volunteers

Starting Range: $4,850 / monthly (contingent on experience)
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About Communities In Schools

Rooted in community for over 40 years, Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CISCT) is a sophisticated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas. Communities In Schools (CIS) is a national organization that ensures every student has what they need to realize their full potential in school and beyond. At CISCT, our mission is simple: surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
We are a nearly $24 million nonprofit organization with diverse sources of funding.

Position Summary

The Mental Health and Wellness Counselor works in partnership with the CIS Program Manager and coordinates the provision of counseling and social services in a public school setting to students and their families facing obstacles to academic and personal success. This position provides direct mental health and counseling services to students and parents and groups in accordance with the position’s licensure and accepted scope of practice. This position also coordinates community resources to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining appropriate mental health services.

The Mental Health and Wellness Counselor collaborates and consults with CIS and school personnel, parents/guardians, and community partners to create a greater understanding of students’ needs and effective interventions to meet those needs.

The Mental Health and Wellness Counselor is classified as a Critical Infrastructure Employee (CIE), necessary for the operation of CIS, and will perform their work on-site at designated campuses. MH&W Counselors will frequently travel between the assigned campus and the CISCT Administrative Office.

What You’ll Do

Service areas are in San Marcos CISD, Hays CISD and Lockhart ISD
Complete student assessments and design culturally appropriate interventions to remove barriers to learning and promote academic and social and emotional success
Provide individual and group counseling to targeted students applying specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills in the areas of assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and conditions in children and adolescents
Provide crisis intervention during critical situations at CIS campuses
Collaborate with CIS Program Managers on assigned campuses to gather recommendations for targeted students to receive mental health services
Provide relevant referrals and coordinate community resources to meet students’ needs
Monitor students’ progress towards goals
Document all services in accordance with CIS and professional standards
Communicate with CIS Program Managers on a regular basis to seek input and report on student progress
Coordinate and/or deliver trainings and workshops for teachers, school personnel and parents/guardians
Participate in the CIS team approach to service delivery and problem-solving
Promote and maintain agency culture, standards, and systems
Perform other activities and duties as directed by the Sr. Director of Mental Health Services

What You Bring

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology or related field
Current active, unrestricted LCSW, LPC, LMFT, LMHC, clinical psychologist license in Texas or MSW or LPC-A receiving clinical supervision towards a full license and will obtain a full license within 1 year
Minimum of three (3) years of experience (not including post-graduate internships) in the areas of assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, and case management
Experience working with children and adolescents in high-risk populations
Demonstrated cultural competence when engaging diverse audiences, including students and families, team members, school personnel, volunteers, and community partners
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive and productive relationships to effectively collaborate with CIS staff, school personnel, and community partners
Highly self-motivated and able to work both autonomously and collaboratively
Demonstrated ability to set and manage priorities in a dynamic environment
Shared lived experience as the communities CIS serves
Proven ability to strengthen Social Work practices by fostering an environment of belonging throughout our communities
Valid Texas Driver’s License and reliable transportation

Why Join CIS?

Mission-driven work – Be part of a team that changes the trajectory of students’ lives.
Professional growth – Ongoing training, supervision, and career pathways into director-level roles.
Community impact – Build partnerships that extend beyond the classroom.
Generous paid time off: 4+ weeks of holidays, 2 weeks of vacation time, personal days and sick days
Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% employer-paid employee medical plan available, plus family subsidies, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
Community-centered culture focused on impact, growth, and connection

Communities In Schools of Central Texas is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site