Associate Director of Mental Health
Position Summary
The Associate Director of Mental Health will play a critical role in designing and implementing mental health programming that aligns with KIPP Public Schools Northern California’s regional goals and priorities. They will collaborate with the Regional Mental Health Services Manager, across regional departments - including Operations, Advocacy and Community Engagement (ACE), Special Education (SpEd), Growth and Finance - to ensure a comprehensive, coherent regional strategy, including, but not limited to, planning, data management, and outreach.
The primary role of the Associate Director is to provide guidance, leadership and support in the development and execution of mental health programming vision at all KIPP Northern California Schools. The Associate Director of Mental Health will build more community relationships, lead hiring for mental health practitioners and provide clinical training. They ensure that the mental health programming is abiding by legal and ethical standards as established by federal and state guidelines.
The Associate Director will sit on the Academics team and report to the Director of School Culture. This position is based in Oakland with travel around the Bay Area.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- 2+ years of post licensure clinical experience and at least 1+ years of clinical supervision experience
- 4+ years of professional experience in providing direct counseling in school settings; managing community partnerships and carrying out mental health programming that also encompasses informational psychoeducational workshops
Education:
- Graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work or Professional Clinical Counseling or related field required
- Active clinical license for two years, provided by California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences or a similar licensing board in another state and ability to transfer license to California
Knowledge/skills required:
- Strong organizational skills, keen attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, set and meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills; experience using Microsoft Excel and/or
- Google Sheets to analyze data and perform quantitative analysis
- Track record of collaboration and teamwork, and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) and build relationships with multiple stakeholders and across lines of difference
- Experience with change management and a demonstrated ability to manage up, down and across to drive action - even in the absence of formal authority
- Prior experience training, coaching and motivating adult learners
- Comfort with ambiguity and driving results in a fast‐paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Demonstrated initiative, entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity
- A deep belief that all students can achieve at the highest levels, a passion for social justice and equity for all, and a demonstrated commitment to improving K‐12 public education
- Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP NorCals’ mission and values
- Valid driver’s license, as travel between school sites in across the Bay Area will be required
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Directs program development, quality improvement initiatives, public relations, staffing vision that supports regional and school cultural priorities
- Develops and implements programs and policies, procedures and objectives that aid in providing anti-racist mental health programming to each school
- Ensure that therapeutic practices and programming adhere within the legal and ethical bounds of the profession
- Track metrics, analyze trends and evaluate the progress of mental health programming and communities of practice to further inform decision-making and mental health initiatives
- Collaborate with Regional Operations team members to support wellness initiatives and to ensure that policies and protocols with additional supports to ensure alignment across teams
- Advocacy for mental health and wellness initiatives that include the participation of Mental Health Clinicians across school campuses
- Provide training and professional development to support effective development and implementation of mental health programming
- Manage a Regional Clinical Supervisor
- Partner with the Associate Director of Special Education and Regional Clinical Supervisors to plan and execute workshops and trainings for counseling team aimed at growing culturally responsive therapeutic skillset; working with community-based agencies; collaborating with school teams and building a regional recruitment community of practice
- Support Coordination of Student Support Team Meeting (COST) establishment and provide ongoing support for maintenance of team meetings. COST teams address intentional planning for students requiring specialized support for academic and socioemotional engagement
- Oversee the regional support of mental health clinicians
- Drive maintenance of community-based organization partnerships that will provide additional clinicians for school-based supports; develop protocol for recruiting, interviewing and onboarding interns; create protocols that will support the management of interns by mental health counselors
- Lead the framework for hiring of mental health practitioners
Physical, Mental and Environmental Demands
Physical: Ability to navigate office and school campuses, and hold meetings in different spaces. Traditionally, much of the day involves sitting. Ability to access and utilize technology. Occasional lifting/carrying of equipment 1-20 lbs. Driving to different locations throughout Northern CA.
Mental: Stress of deadlines and normal work standards, ability to analyze problems and generate alternatives, work with interruptions, concentrate for long periods of time, read, calculate, perform routine math problems, memorize and recall objects and people.
Environmental: Office environment subject to interruptions and distractions. Occasional school environment and travel. In an emergency context (e.g., pandemic), work may be conducted virtually fully or partially for extended periods of time or longer, and the expectation is that the individual will establish a productive, remote work environment (e.g., ability to stay connected through different technology means). It may require remote work as current public health guidelines warrant. Adhere to KIPP’s health and safety guidelines as outlined by the CDC, CDE, and public health agencies’ recommendations.
Classification
Full-time, exempt position based on the Regional Support Office calendar and time-off policy.
About KIPP Public Schools Northern California
We are a thriving nonprofit network of 18 free, public charter schools open to all students. At KIPP, we believe all children should grow up free to create the future they want for themselves and that schools can and should be a critical factor in making that vision a reality. Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.
Our student community consists of over 7,000 elementary, middle, and high school students in East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, San Lorenzo, San Jose, and Redwood City, and Stockton. 79% qualify for free or reduced price lunch, 23% are multilingual learners, and 10% have special needs. We strive to cultivate a representative team of teachers and leaders that reflect our students’ diversity.
Compensation
We are dedicated to you and your family's well-being! KIPP offers a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and transportation benefits.