School-Based Counselor / Therapist

Why join our countywide agency?

Because each day we are making a difference in our community, and because we have a positive, employee- and client- centered work culture.

We pay competitive rates and offer a strong benefits package that includes generous sick leave and holiday pay, employer-paid medical insurance, a free subscription to the meditation/sleep app Calm, and much more!

We offer continuous employee education and development and paid clinical supervision.

Family Service Agency is a National Health Service Corps approved site. Licensed MFTs and LCSWs can receive $50K to

$100K in loan repayment with a service commitment of two to three years. More information can be found here: https://fsacares.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/HRSA-Loan-Repatment-Application-Checklist.pdf.

We work with our staff to offer flexibility whenever possible.

We look forward to you joining our team at FSA of Santa Barbara County!

The Position

FSA is looking for School-Based Counselors/Therapists in Santa Maria to work with at risk elementary and secondary school students and their families. Each on-site Counselor/Therapist works with high-risk children and their families, teachers, school counselors/therapists, other school personnel and administrators. The School-Based Counselor/Therapist also works with community agencies to make appropriate referrals. Clinical supervision will be provided. Most work will be provided in-person with the potential for telehealth sessions as needed. There are currently multiple full-time positions available.

FSA strives to be a trauma-informed and resilience-oriented organization. Because working with those impacted by trauma can affect staff in various ways, FSA actively identifies and employs methods to support staff to embody a healthy and sustainable balance of care for both themselves and others.

Sample of Duties and Responsibilities

1. Communicate regularly and work collaboratively with the school-based support team that includes the school principal, school psychologist, teachers, the family advocate and the school-based mental health counselors/therapists. Keeps principal apprised of social, emotional, and behavioral concerns with students.

2. Identify high-risk children/families that have high probability of developing emotional/behavioral problems.

3. Assist students in developing behavioral skills for resisting social influences that promote high-risk behaviors through direct instruction, modeling, rehearsal, coaching and reinforcement.

4. Assist students in developing necessary assertiveness, communication, goal-setting, and problem-solving skills that may enable them to avoid high-risk behaviors.

5. Provide direct services to high-risk children and families through direct counseling support, networking, and referral to community-based agencies.

6. Provide direct services to families at home through phoning or home contacts for students identified as at-risk.

7. Attend Child Study Team meetings as they relate to the high-risk children/families with whom they may be working (at the determination of the principal).

8. Provide supportive services or referrals when necessary, for high-risk children and others on campus.

9. Provide consultation to teachers, counselors/therapists, deans, and principals.

10. May conduct classroom presentations at the discretion of the principal.

Employment Standards:

1. Master’s degree required; must be an AMFT, ASW, APCC, LMFT, LPCC, or LCSW in good standing with the BBS in CA. Graduate students/trainees waiting for their Associates number may be considered for this position and encouraged to apply.

2. Minimum of one year working with children and/or teens preferred.

3. MediCal documentation experience preferred.

4. Excellent analytical, computer, written and verbal communication skills required.

5. Professional attitude, teamwork, and ability to maintain confidentiality a must.

6. Must possess valid CA driver license and auto insurance.

Classification, Hours and Pay Rate:

This position is part-time to full-time/30-40 hours per week during the school year, non-exempt, with benefits. The position runs according to the school year schedule from approximately August 2023 through June 2024.

Benefits include: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts and 403(b) retirement plan. Generous holiday and sick leave also provided. Benefits are prorated for part-time opportunities beginning at 30 hours per week.

Pay range is from $27-$36/hour depending on experience and licensure status.

Family Service Agency (FSA) has long been regarded as one of Santa Barbara County’s most reliable and effective nonprofit human service organizations. Our mission is to strengthen and advocate for families and individuals of all ages and diversities, helping to create and preserve a healthy community. We are committed to providing services where they are needed most: in the community. Eighty percent of our services are delivered on school campuses, at community centers and in clients’ homes. Our programs, which serve more than 25,000 people annually, combine clinical expertise, bilingual and bicultural staff, and close collaboration with other agencies. At FSA, all services are provided free or on a sliding fee/donation scale and no one is denied assistance because of an inability to pay.

To apply for this position, it is required that you submit a cover letter with a resume here: https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?RID=5924835.

Visit our portal for other open positions: http://familyserviceagency.appone.com/.