Job Description:

Location: District-wide

Department: Behavioral Health & Wellness

Reports To: Director of Behavioral Health & Wellness

Term: Ongoing 200-day calendar beginning with the 2026-27 school year. 
(Prorated depending on start date).

This position is funded through the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant through 2028.

Schedule: Mon-Fri Full-time

SUMMARY: The Mental Health Therapists for West Fargo Public Schools (WFPS) provide evidence based individual and group clinical interventions to learners at elementary and/or secondary sites. The Mental Health Therapists engage in consultation and collaboration with the MTSS-B teams to determine learner needs and how to respond. Mental health Therapists provide ongoing communication with families, school staff, and community providers to have a coordinated response to the learner's needs. Therapists also participate in regular ongoing meetings with the School Based Clinical Mental Health Team and provide training as needed and leadership on district-wide mental health programming.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and requirement satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Other duties may be assigned)
Collaboration:
Develops positive, working relationships with learners, colleagues, and the wider district community.
Fosters an environment that establishes respect and rapport between the educator and learners.
Utilizes questions and discussion topics that promotes critical thinking.
Supports district in building capacity in serving learners with complex needs.

Communication:
Uses exemplary communication skills to facilitate connection and sharing of thoughts and ideas through multiple formats and diverse audiences.
Proactively seeks to resolve controversy and conflict through respectful negotiation.

Compassion:
Models and leads de-escalations/crisis responses in alignment with district policies.
Understands the complexities of cultural and global issues and how they relate to employee and learners' experiences.

Creativity:
Connects with team members and shares ideas in an effort to improve the overall employee experience.

Critical Thinking:
Reasons, interprets, and analyzes information to generate new knowledge and understanding.
Engages and has knowledge of the process of district research-based behavioral programming and supporting documentation.
Proactively engages in problem-solving.

Reflection:
Maintains communication with supervisor and director regarding general feedback, career advancement opportunities, and areas of growth opportunities.
Actively participates in on-going professional development opportunities

Resilience:
Maintains composure while dealing with stressful situations.
Proactively seeks out resolutions and takes initiative to resolve knowledge gaps.

Responsibility:
Fosters a safe and equitable learning environment.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms.
While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this role, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, talk, and hear.
The specific vision abilities required for this role include close and peripheral vision.
The employee may be required to lift up to ~30 pounds.
The employee must work with the public and various WFPS staff while simultaneously managing several competing demands.
The employee may come in contact with bloodborne pathogens or other bodily fluids on rare occasions.
The employee will work in an environment that has a moderate to loud noise level.
 
Education and/or Experience:
Master's degree or higher in human services field and at least an introductory license to practice in North Dakota (LPC, LPCC, LAPC, LMSW, LCSW, LMFT).
Minimum two years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness.
Experience providing individual and group therapy to children.
Experience with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) interventions for social-emotional-behavioral needs.
Experience in evidence-based practices for children and adolescents.
Licensed mental health professional with independent licensure and ability to provide clinical supervision is preferred.
Experience working in a school setting is preferred.
 
Language Skills:
Ability to read, write, comprehend, and implement technical documentation and information.
Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondences in the English language.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally, expressively, and reactively.
 
Other Skills and Abilities:
Exercise confidentiality, discretion, and good judgement.
Adhere to the assigned work schedule by maintaining regular and punctual attendance.
 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 
None. 

Salary: If licensed through ESPB, the position follows the 2025-2027 Teacher Salary Schedule. If not licensed through ESPB, the position follows the Classified Salary Schedule 2026-2027 at C433 - Starting salary begins at $33.95-$39.45/hour, based on experience.

To Apply: Please complete the application and include up-to-date, relevant submissions of your resume, letter of interest, and three letters of recommendation. Please also include your transcripts and a copy of your licensure through ESPB, if available.